Current mood:

sleepy

On waiting in line
I had to wait in line to exchange my UCLA football ticket this morning, and all sorts of interesting things happened. First, a bit of explanation for those unfamiliar with the ticket exchange process. Each student is allowed to exchange two of his or her student tickets for general admission tickets. However, only 300 students total are allowed to exchange their tickets per game, unless the game is during fall break, in which they allow 750 students to exchange their tickets. To make it fair, they hand out "spot in line" starting at 7:00 am, and then allow people to come back whenever during the day to actually exchange their tickets. This way, everyone can wait in line and not have to skip class or work, and also not have to wait for everyone ahead of you to buy their tickets, which can take a while.

Today's exchange was for the UCLA game, which is during fall break, so they handed out 750 spot in line tickets. I usually try to be in line no later than 5:45 am, just to be on the safe side. This morning, I got there at 5:40 am and I was already much further back in line then I've ever been before. It was pretty quiet when I got there, despite the length of the line. I estimate that I was in the high 300s, low 400s of the line by the time I got my spot in line ticket, based on the fact that some guy went through and counted and told me that I was 362, although I'm sure more people cut in front of me between when he counted and when I got my ticket. After about ten minutes, a steady stream of people came walking by up until around 7 am. The line got SO long. I think there had to have been at least 1000 people in line. The ones that really amazed me are the ones who showed up after 6:30, of which there were a surprising amount. I don't think you could get in line at 6:30 am for any game and still expect to get a ticket, much less a fall break game when a lot of students are going to be off campus.

What was really interesting about all this was observing the behaviors of fellow students (mostly undergrads) and eavesdropping on their conversations. There was the typical stuff (I have a test today, can you believe so and so did this, do you want to get breakfast after this), although I was particularly amused by one girl's lengthy monologue on how she's totally over her ex-boyfriend and hates him, and then in the same monologue talks about how if they actually saw each other, they'd get back together and how you can't really have a relationship if you don't see each other in person every week (I think this was a long distance relationship) and how his new girlfriend is a total *naughty word*.

However, what really got me thinking was the dynamics and psychology of people when they're in a line. I don't know about anyone else, but whenever I queue up (get in line for you non-London speakers ;) ), I instantly get a little more competitive and defensive of my place, especially in situations where not everyone is going to get what they're queuing up for. I despise, and always have despised, people who cut in line. It's so accepted that I can't really do anything about it and even consider it to be a surety, but it doesn't stop me from stewing when I see it happen. It's so unfair to all the people who are honestly going to the end of the line. This probably stems from my freshman year Orientation at Gonzaga. They always have a boat cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene for the frosh, but not everyone can go because there's limited space. I, being the good girl I am, went to the back of the line and waited. I think about 500 people joined the line while I waited, although only about fifty actually went behind me. I was literally the last person allowed on the buses (I was lucky). However, the injustice of the whole situation infuriated me. Anyway, I think that may be where it all comes from.

But I really think people behave differently when they're competitively waiting in line. More distrusting and unfriendly and competitive. I think it would be fascinating to do a psychological or sociological study of it. I already thought of a few interesting ways to do a study: Purposely cut in line towards the front, middle, and end of the line and see the differences in people's reactions. Cut in line entirely on your own (aka, not joining friends who are already in line, which is the most common form of cutting) in a competitive line and see how people react and if anyone says anything. Do the same thing in a wheelchair or on crutches to play the sympathy card and see if people treat you differently (props to Ashley R. for the idea on this one).

The end of the story is I got my ticket and was thankfully nowhere near the end. The guy who got the last spot in line ticket shouted and jumped for joy though, which was kind of interesting. I also made a point of thanking the ushers. People give them so much attitude, but they're only doing their job and trying to make sure people follow the rules. I think it'd be a tough job to have (despite the fact that they get to see all the football games). With that, I really should get to work as it's already 9:01 am and I've already been up for almost four hours. Wish I could take a nap.