Why you're content to silently curse out line-cutters in your head

Just because this article uses the un-American epithet "queue" doesn't mean it isn't extremely interesting.

Fleeting Shadow

Milgram's most interesting insights are his attempts to explain why people don't intervene. Are people just too scared? Not necessarily:

Group formation is difficult when people are stood one behind the other, all facing in the same direction. Consequently social order is weak.

1. Challenging queue-jumpers could mean losing your own place in the line.
2. Social systems have to tolerate some deviance otherwise they may quickly break down, i.e. a fight may start and everyone is delayed while it is sorted out.
3. The line is co-opting those who threaten it by tacitly accepting them so that they gain an interest in the queue and the queue becomes stronger.

Milgram thought queue-jumping is tolerated as long as it doesn't threaten the line too much. People want to avoid social disorder because their own interests (getting served) are tied up in an orderly queue.