No complaints here

Every few months I have a work deadline that requires large consumptions of coffee in order to stay alert and productive. This week and last were deadline weeks and one morning, while standing in a line for coffee that snaked out the door and around the corner, I noticed something I hadn’t picked up on before: nobody complains while waiting in line for coffee.

I have heard under-the-breath muttering and near tantrums from adults in much shorter lines like the 15 items or less express line at a grocery store or one hour dry cleaning place down the street, but everyone acts civilized and patient in lines for coffee – even when only two baristi stand behind the counter during the morning rush.

Does the desperate nature of needing coffee override the impatience most of us have when standing in lines? One has to wonder, especially when nobody turns away from ridiculously long lines for one cup of joe we were too lazy to brew at home.