The Psychology of Lines
The longer that people are forced to wait in line, the longer that they want to stay at the table of a restaurant or buffet-like establishment. This is my own hypothesis, and for the moment, does not draw on the socio-psychological research that has been done on the subject. If any.
Admittedly, I do so consciously – if I have to wait an hour and a half for a table at somewhere like PF Chang’s, you damn well better be sure that I’m not going to move my ass when the server try his “do-you-need-dessert” annoyance tactics. Not like I blame the guy – the more tables he’s able to turn over, the more money he makes. I feel for him, but I also feel for my behind which has just been sitting on the curb for the last hour because there was no room on any bench and the inside of the place was too damn hot to stand in.