# "Because I'm busy waiting on the customers who are in line, Sir" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 13, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969 "2009-09-13T23:02:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/321 "2009-09-18T15:03:19Z")
Nothing makes my Friday morning brighter than watching the retards frolic. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/322 "2009-09-18T15:08:54Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Nothing makes my Friday morning brighter than watching the retards frolic. I’m gamboling, not frolicking. I can’t frolic with my helmet on. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/323 "2009-09-18T15:16:31Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > Actually, to make it as analogous as possible to the scenario described originally by **BlinkingDuck** in post #232, two people butt into line ahead of you, and the servers handle their transactions first. > > Now what do you do? If I’m in line at the register in a restaurant and someone pushes in front of me, I would probably say rather loudly to them, “Excuse me, I was here first”. If they insist on paying their bill before me, and the cashier accommodates them, I would probably complain to the cashier, and possibly ask to speak to a manager. I certainly would not feel justified in walking out without paying my bill. Of course, I can’t remember the last time I was at a restaurant register where there was more than one or two people in line anyway. At most of the restaurants I go to the servers handle the payments at the table. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/324 "2009-09-18T15:54:01Z")
> [@Jodi](#): > > Pretty much, yep. It is an unequal relationship where once you have consumed the goods, you have an obligation to pay for them if you cannot return them. Again, there might be mitigating circumstances in cases of impossibility, or even great difficulty – but that’s not what we’re talking about here. And, again, even if circumstances dictate to you that you must leave, you have an obligation to STILL arrange for payment to be obtained – i.e., leave the money; come back and pay; tell them where to contact you for payment. Just walking out and STEALING the goods is not an option, except for thieves. > > And you insist on adding the element of them “not holding up their end of the transaction,” when obviously no such element exists. They are able to take your money and they intend to take your money – they just aren’t taking it fast enough to suit you. But you did not refrain from taking the goods on that basis; you took the goods and therefore placed yourself in the position of having to pay for them. Period. Are you feeling kind of tired, or worn out? I generally find arguing with sociopaths to be exhausting. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/325 "2009-09-18T16:15:24Z")
> [@Jodi](#): > > Ah, but there’s that 10th time, isn’t there? And I’ve never said the cashier has to engage in an argument or dialogue with the customer; in fact I’ve said precisely the opposite. The explanation is given, and the cashier moves on. I - as non-cashier, but customer - would expect of every polite, decent, non-asshole person to comply with the policy - in this case “The line is over there” first, and, when it’s his turn, then to politly ask the cashier the reason for the policy. You say it’s wrong to automatically assume that the customer is an arrogant line-cutting asshole who will start an argument when the policy is explained, but that it could equally be a misunderstanding based on a misperception by the customer. Fine, agreed. But why does the customer in you scenario get to make the assumption that the cashier (or the store) is a jerk for adhering to a policy, just because he, the customer, at that moment can’t understand the reason for the policy? As a customer, when I encounter what to me are stupid policies by stores, I know there are two reasons: 1. the manager who implemented the policy is a micro-managing idiot / tradition has kept an obsolete policy around 2. there is a reason - the hardware is set up this way of prepaying because of theft - which I don’t yet know about. In both cases, a reasonable, polite person will comply with the policy or politly ask the reason for this. If I find the policy to be dumb despite the explanation, I will hold my righteous indignation inside and politly ask whom to contact in management to get that policy changed. No matter what the reason for the policy - standing in line - is, the customer comes across like a jerk by refusing to follow it. Note also that the OP doesn’t say anywhere that the customer asked for an explanation. That makes it very likely for me that it wasn’t a misunderstanding / misconception, but a jerk feeling entitled to do things his way. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/326 "2009-09-18T16:48:28Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > It CAN be argued. > > Say someone uses something expecting to pay for it. When they go to pay, there is unreasonable demands placed on this payment. Either the payee makes it difficult/impossible whatever to pay. If the person then refuses to participate with these demands, has no way to return the item or service and leaves…I contend that it is NOT theft. If you receive goods or services legally, then you hand over money or other goods or services. That’s a sale in legal terms. If you receive goods or services but don’t hand over money (or other goods or services), then you have taken possession of them illegally. You didn’t honor the transaction. You are a thief who has stolen the goods or service. This is similiar to the Urban legend (Can’t find the discussion on it at the moment) that you can legally leave a restaurant without paying if you tried three times without success. That’s not true. Nowhere does the law recognize that the seller has to make payment easy for the buyer. The law simply says that the seller is obliged to deliver the goods/services, and the buyer is obliged to give the money for agreed-upon price in return. For same reason, businesses can decided to only allow one way of paying - cash only, they are not by law required to accept debit or credit cards. The law doesn’t forbid the buyer from offering his 11 -year old child in exchange, but the seller is free to refuse and insist on Canadian dollars instead. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/327 "2009-09-18T17:59:24Z")
> [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](#): > > Are you feeling kind of tired, or worn out? I generally find arguing with sociopaths to be exhausting. As I said earlier, I’m trying to be more aware of the “Give It Up” line. I take it I’m over it now? ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/328 "2009-09-18T19:45:04Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > If I’m in line at the register in a restaurant and someone pushes in front of me, I would probably say rather loudly to them, “Excuse me, I was here first”. If they insist on paying their bill before me, and the cashier accommodates them, I would probably complain to the cashier, and possibly ask to speak to a manager. I certainly would not feel justified in walking out without paying my bill. > > Of course, I can’t remember the last time I was at a restaurant register where there was more than one or two people in line anyway. At most of the restaurants I go to the servers handle the payments at the table. All reasonable responses. I’m wondering what **Cheesesteak** or **BlinkingDuck** would do. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/329 "2009-09-18T19:49:35Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > All reasonable responses. I’m wondering what **Cheesesteak** or **BlinkingDuck** would do. Spit on the cashier, kick a baby out of their way, and punch an old lady as they walk out the door. This may be satire. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/330 "2009-09-18T19:54:42Z")
Hey, in fairness, that old lady deserved it. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/331 "2009-09-18T20:05:33Z")
Dressed in that enticing floral skirt, with those “come hither” cataracts… ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/332 "2009-09-18T20:37:38Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Dressed in that enticing floral skirt, with those “come hither” cataracts… What? No. The old lady deserved it because she was a mean old bitch. Like the man in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/333 "2009-09-18T20:41:18Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > What? No. The old lady deserved it because she was a mean old bitch. Like the man in the OP. Seriously. Just leaving her money on the table and walking out the door like that. Totally uncouth. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/334 "2009-09-18T20:42:50Z")
She didn’t walk away. She kept badgering the cashier to “turn on the pump” when it had previously been stated that she needs to get in line. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/335 "2009-09-18T20:48:16Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > …For same reason, businesses can decided to only allow one way of paying - cash only, they are not by law required to accept debit or credit cards. The law doesn’t forbid the buyer from offering his 11 -year old child in exchange, but the seller is free to refuse and insist on Canadian dollars instead. Actually I’m pretty sure there is a law forbiding parents from offering their children in barter for goods & services, but I get your point. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/336 "2009-09-18T20:58:40Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Actually I’m pretty sure there is a law forbiding parents from offering their children in barter for goods & services Cite? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/337 "2009-09-18T21:02:04Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Cite? :dubious: Seconded. Why would [eBaby](http://www.discountbabies.com/) be allowed to operate otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969/338 "2009-09-18T21:03:49Z")
It wasn’t my kid whom I sold – it was someone else’s kid whom I sold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-im-busy-waiting-on-the-customers-who-are-in-line-sir/509969.md?page=16)