by Sharon Jenson

Created on: September 12, 2008

What Am I Thinking?

I heard somewhere that the average person spends roughly two years of his or her life in line. That makes me think about all the lines I've waited in. Long, frustrating lines at amusement parks, slow moving lines at the post office, fast moving lines at the bank, and then there's the grocery store, the worst line to be in. While I am waiting for my turn to unload, I am looking around me, hoping I'm not sticking out too far, hoping that my fully loaded cart is not in front of some pore sole with just one item.

Then I realize it's taking awhile for the line to move so I glance toward the front. Someone with coupons? A check? A question about the receipt? Needing a price check on an item they insist is on sale? It happens. Maybe the checker is feeling like taking it slow, no rush. Sometimes when it is clearly my turn to begin to unload my cart, the checker won't move the black belt, making me anxious to start unloading onto the counter, but unable to do so because there is not enough room yet. Should I move the items of the shopper in front of me up a little? I'm sure they're in a hurry too?

It's always fun when in line, any line, to people watch. At the bank on a Friday afternoon, which is clearly a payday week, there's a woman in line on her cell phone, even though there is a sign asking patrons not to talk on their cell phones while inside the bank. She is talking loud and she's next in line. By now, we all know her entire weekend plans, her friend's boyfriend drama, and we can't help but wonder if she'll be alert enough to go up to the next available window as soon as it opens.

Busy restaurants on a weekend often give you an electronic device that beeps and flashes when your table is ready. Is this a line? Or just a bunch of hungry people trying to grab the next waiting area seat that's available. We all begin to look at one another, trying to figure out who was here first so that it's going to be fair. Never fails, a party comes in after you and the hostess skips your name to seat them. You get a little angry inside, but not enough to say anything. You quietly ask how much longer. You've seen the irate people who demand to know why one party was seated before them when they know they were here first! No, no. You stay quiet.

Getting in line to see a movie these days can be interesting. If you go on a busy Friday night when a new blockbuster is released, there are likely to be many teens in line with you; all chewing gum, looking around to

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