Cutting in line as a norm violation: reactions in three social settings

Sociology

Advance at Your Own Peril:

Cutting in Line as an Example of Norm Violation

Norms help to define a society by setting boundaries and enhancing group identity and coherence. The acts of cutting in line, talking out of turn, or passing on the right, may seem trivial, but each in its way violates a basic social precept; one that is intended to ease social intercourse and prevent disturbances. Take the example of cutting in line: the individual that breaks this taboo is proclaiming that he or she is not bound by convention; that he or she is more important than all those other individuals who must wait their turn. The act is a statement to that effect that one's time, one's priorities, and one's needs, are more important than those of one's fellows. By dutifully taking our places at the end of the line, we demonstrate that we are willing to consider the feelings of others, willing to show consideration for the opinions and desires of those with whom we share our society. The social order is strengthened and preserved through a simple act of mutual trust and understanding - everyone else must wait and so will we.

For the purposes of this study, the researcher will cut once into the middle of a line at each of three distinct social settings. The first instance will be in the ticket line at a movie theater, the second in the line waiting to exit a church, and the third in the line for food selection at the school cafeteria. Each time, the researcher will remain in place for at least two minutes while observing the reactions of those around him. The researcher will do nothing to call attention to his actions other than simply performing the act of cutting in line. The lines chosen will consist of a minimum of at least twenty persons. The length of the line should be enough to guarantee a reaction from others on in terms of the concept of norm violation that has been described by Jacob and Schreyer (1980) as "goal interference attributed to another's behavior" (Schneider, 2000, p. 129).

Hypothesis

As cutting into the middle of a line of twenty or more persons involves a rather noticeable violation of accepted norms, it is to be expected that the researcher will be faced with some readily observable criticism. Some individuals on the line will no doubt attempt to conceal the emotions, while others will make their feelings clearly known. A majority, it is speculated, will register disappointment, annoyance, or anger - or some combination of all three - through facial expressions, hand gestures, or other forms of body language. Some, no doubt, will pass whispered or under the breath comments to those standing near them. Still others; however, will attract attention to the researcher's action by making loud remarks on the undesirability, inconsiderateness, or nastiness, of the researcher's action. Foul language and personal verbal direct attacks on the researcher are likely if particularly excitable individuals are present on the line. It is even possible that some of those online may become physical in their responses, either pushing or shoving aside the researcher, or attempting to start a fight with him. If the researcher's action attracts the attention of bystanders not online - either through his own action or the actions of those online - bystanders, too, might be expected to display reaction similar to the "offended parties" on the line itself.

More severe reactions aside, it is likely that most responses will be fairly tame, with offended individuals either attempting to conceal their feelings, or merely making slight verbal comments, some meant for the researcher to hear, and others not.

Description of the Three Social Settings

Ticket Line at the Movie Theater

The setting is the ticket line of a typical multiplex - the kind of movie theater familiar to moviegoers throughout much of urban and suburban America.

As a very popular film was playing, the line to get inside the theater was especially long, with perhaps one hundred fifty people online. Some thirty-five people were online at the ticket window. They were mostly young, under thirty years of age (mostly teens and early twenties), and mostly white with a pretty even mix of male and female. The researcher counted seven African-Americans, five men and two women - all young. There were also two people who appeared to be Hispanic - a teenaged man and woman. On the line, there were also three middle-aged couples, and two women who looked to be over 65. Most people were talking, with some of the teenagers being fairly loud and moving around among each other. A few were playing music.

Line Leaving Church

The setting is a line of parishioners leaving the suburban church of a major Protestant denomination. With close to one hundred people online, the population was overwhelmingly white and of various ages, including many children (about 20), and numerous middle-aged and elderly people. An older African-American couple was observed, as were a few younger African-American men and an African-American woman in her twenties. The crowd was well-dressed and generally subdued.

Food Line at the School Cafeteria

The setting was the food line at the cafeteria of a major American university. The population consisted almost entirely of students in their late teens and early twenties, with a small number of slightly older individuals. Of the seventy-five or so people online, about half were male and half female. Many were in groups of from two or three to as many as five to seven. A majority were white with possibly as many as twenty African-Americans, and five or six Hispanics, and also several Asians. Most were casually dressed and talking with each other. Some, too, moved around to talk to their friends.

Cutting in Line - the Reaction

Ticket Line at the Movie Theater

The researcher slipped into the middle of the line in front of a group of three teenage girls who were busy talking to each other. A middle-aged woman further back in the line commented to her husband about the researcher's action - it was a simple observation on his cutting in line. Others appeared to look, a few turning to whisper to their companions. A man in his twenties stepped off to the side from near the back of the line to get a better look. He remarked loudly to his friends, "Hey that guy just cut in front of those girls." The researcher heard a rumble of reaction from that part of the line. The male African-American teenagers moved around to look (they were ahead of the researcher online). One of them laughed quickly to himself. A girl in her teens, further back in the line, stuck her head out so as to be visible to the researcher. She called out angrily, "Hey, you in the blue jacket, get the (expletive) in the back of the line." She appeared to advance toward the research. The researcher tried to keep looking forward, waiting desperately for the two minutes to pass. "You hear me?" The girl continued. Others further back began to make angry-sounding remarks. The two minutes came... finally. The researcher stepped hurriedly from the line just as the angry teenage girl was approaching him.

Food Line at the School Cafeteria

This attempt was not very successful. The researcher cut in front of a female student in her late teens. She was appeared to be alone, and was carrying a laptop. She was looking down at the floor and did not seem like she was paying attention to anyone. She said nothing as the researcher stepped in front of her, though he saw her grimace slightly and then return to looking at the floor. Nevertheless, a group of seven or eight students behind her quickly noticed the researcher's presence. One of them turned loudly to his friends and cried, "Did you just see that? This guy cut in front." The researcher pretended not to notice and tried to continue looking blankly ahead. Almost immediately, he felt a strong tap on his shoulder. A tall man in a denim jacket was sticking his reddened face in his. Two of his friends moved forward to back him up. One "What the (expletive) do you think you're doing?" A girl who had remained in the original group of seven or eight giggled before directing her other friends attentions to what was going on. "Look at this," she smiled. The man with the red face shoved the researcher in the back. The three men stepped closer to the researcher.... And the researcher left the line without saying a word.

Summary

The researcher found this an interesting experience. He was never particularly frightened except in the final encounter on the school cafeteria line. In fact, he had though the movie theater would represent more of a challenge, as it was the most public of all the places. The experience taught the researcher that people, while jealous of their rights, are not necessarily quick to defend them in a public situation. Many may not even appear to notice, but when they, they will more likely comment to themselves than do anything in particular to change the situation. Typically, a "leader" emerges to lead the attack against the offender. The leader appears to operate by drawing others' attentions to what is going on. In two of the three cases, the leader urged another to take action against the researcher. In the third case, it was the leader himself who proceeded against the researcher. In all cases, people appeared to be very offended once they realized what was going on. Meekness on the part of the researcher did nothing to quell their outrage. Violations of social norms can apparently only be forgiven by undoing whatever it is the violator has done