March 29, 2026

By Arthur H. Gunther III

thecolumnrule.com

Students, at least in the time I recall, began/begin looking at the wall clock anticipating lunch just as soon as they are settled for the first period. Those clocks never seemed to move the minute hand unless you were taking a test. Then time flew.

When your lunch moment arrived, say the third period or so, the annoying school clock, tethered to the master one in the main office for synchronicity, offered its usual habit of actually moving its minute hand back for a mini-second almost in suspension and then advancing as the dismissal bell rings. A feature tied into the master clock and one which seemed to last a full 60 seconds.

But then you were free for lunch, and the mad hallway dash began as growling stomaches sought a place on the cafeteria line or a seat if you brought a bag lunch.

The quickness continued and as such probably is to blame today for the rushed eating of Americans, as opposed to, say, the French. We had 40 minutes for lunch, but that included getting through the mob, sitting down, eating, cleaning up your space and appearing at required playground time. So, you had maybe 10 minutes to chow down. Great indigestion training.

The one saving grace, in the time I recall anyway, was the home-style warmth of the cafeteria ladies who ladled soup along with a smile. Children can get lost in a school setting with so many fellow students, reactions with each other, with their studies, with teachers. The friendliness of the lunchtime ladies can be reassuring.

After lunch, it was back to watching the clock, this time for bus dismissal. Oy.

The writer is a retired newspaperman.

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