Queue Behavior
Our workplace cafeteria has four cashiers, one of whom is such a personal favorite that I feel unfaithful when I stray. She happens to be African-American (such is the tortured syntax we must employ - I'm old enough to recall a day when one could say 'black woman' and imagine a day we'll have to say 'a woman who happens to have a slightly darker pigmentation, which is not to in any way imply an aesthetic judgment, than those of European heritage.' But I digress...)
I started going to her because, quite simply, she's the best cashier. Quick, efficient and jocular about my big lunches. And what I've noticed is that her line generally includes two groups of people: 1) white males with hurry-sickness who want to get through line faster and know she's the quickest and 2) African-American females, who feel a solidarity based on race and gender.
Group number 1 makes this cashier even faster, because they pay cash and have their money ready. This is partially offset by group number 2, a warmer, caring set who look through purses the size of Manhattan and occasionally find what they're looking for.
I can't think of a pithy ending to this so I'll just leave it there.
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