How I check to see if it's still laggy, before entering the 80 tank role duty:

I run up to (NPC) and say hello. To be sure I'm going to be okay, I say hello to them three times. If they respond back in kind all three times, I'll know it's safe.

I ran up to (NPC) and said hello. They said hello back. Yay.
I said hello to (NPC) again. They turned and looked deep into my eyes. I had no choice but to look deep into their eyes, too. As much as I wanted to turn away and get on with my life, I couldn't help but stay frozen in place, staring into (NPC)'s eyes. This continues on for about 10 seconds, before (NPC) says hello back to me. And then we gaze lovingly into each others' eyes for another 5 seconds.

Eeeeyup, it's still laggy.