(YouTube link)
The Engineer Guy, Bill Hammack (previously at Neatorama) explains why standing in line at the checkout counter is so frustrating, especially during Christmas shopping season. He also tells of a better idea, if we will only accept it. -Thank, Bill!
Problem solved!
I do not care if my line is the fastest (BB). I care that I don't choose the slowest or BB. According to his math, I have a 4 out of 6 chance of choosing one that isn't the slowest.
When I was ready to check out, there were two registers open, both together, and each having one customer, no lines. I stood behind them both, but aligned in the middle, so I could step up to the next available register.
Well, some alpha male steps up behind me a couple of minutes later, huffs and says, "Which register are you at?" I politely replied, "Whichever opens first," and smiled. The man became visibly annoyed and huffed again.
His hope, apparently, was simply to have the opportunity at getting behind the faster person and getting out first. In my head, it just made more sense to prevent either of us from getting stuck waiting forever.