I didn’t really want to turn this blog into a place of rant, but Jeebes, didn’t we all learn about lines in pre-school?
We all do it, and we tend to do it instinctively. I even think we like standing in line. People will see a line and just line up, assuming it’s for something cool (like on the Simpsons, where they see the long line and assume it must be for a really cool ride, but it turns out to be the complaint booth). It would seem I am wrong. It would seem there are a select few individuals out there that a) do not know about lines, or b) just don’t care to follow the social code of civil beings.
I was in line at a Tim Horton’s today that has two cash registers, and one line. This makes perfect sense to me, and the other people in line. The line splits the two registers and you go to the one that opens next. It reminds me of a bank line, though banks tend to have the ropes to maintain order. So me and my fellow man are standing in line, when some deviant individual walks past us and proceeds to stand directly behind one of the registers. The guy in front of me, the lady behind me, and I all met eyes, and shared a silent understanding. I took the lead. I politely explained to the confused person that we are all in line, and that he can’t just go to the front like that. He stood there and tried to direct me to go in front of him. I took a second to gather my thoughts. Perhaps I did not explain the rules on the line to him correctly. I tried again, this time using hand signs to show him how there is one line, and that we stand in the middle of the two registers, such that we can go to whichever one becomes available first. He didn’t understand. One of the registers opened, so I told the guy in front of me he should go. He did. The rule breaker just stood, with a mildly upset face on his head. The next register then opened and I went. He had now seen how the system worked, and I had hoped he understood. But alas, he still stood there trying to be the next customer. A register opened again and the lady behind me went. I got my coffee and went to where the end of the line was (near the exit) to wait for my partner in crime to get her English toffee drink. The guy in front of me walked by and thanked me. I’m not sure why. I guess for maintaining civil order. Then, the deviant came by. He had finally been served. I would say he was in his 40′s. As he walked by me he threw me a shoulder.
I could not believe it.
A 40 year old man threw me a shoulder on his way out. Who does that? What did he expect? Did he want to fight a 24 year old? Yes. Let’s fight. I am going to get in a fight in a Tim Horton’s, for trying to uphold the moral right. Please.
I laughed.
It was very funny to me. I couldn’t believe it. Who throws a shoulder in a Tim Horton’s?
The guy in front of me was sitting near this event, and he gave me the ‘wtf?’ look. And rightfully so. Did I mention I had to laugh?
It was quite an experience, and blew my mind so completely that this person saw fit to pass a line of nearly 10 people. I would like to believe that anyone reading this understands, and obeys, the unwritten line code of our society. Keep our society civil, as we are no longer animals.
Queue up.
stay strong. We need folk of your ilk who don’t mind enforcing our social conventions.
Places we need more Stashuk: airport lines, the non-signalled intersection on the Conestoga Mall interior road just before the King St. signalled intersection. Most importantly, any instance where an already long-established line is disrupted by a new register opening up – and the ensuing rush. There should be line hierarchy in that situation, but the Darwinists at the back love the race.