Why do customers all come at once?

[coolwater]

If you have worked at stores like convenience stores or perhaps stores like Starbucks or even video rental stores of the past, you must know what I mean.

Peak busy hours or crunch times aside, it is really funny how people--strangers to each other--come in to the store all at once during non-busy hours and a line is quickly formed in front of the register. haha

It is a mystery.

 

[iJohnHenry]

You have a job? And as long as you're are not a hooker, no problem.

Mystery solved.

 

[Grey Beard]

And as long as you're are not a hooker, no problem.

And if they were, they could offer Menage a Trois, at a discount of course and still have satisfied clients, if they came all at once or not.

KGB

 

[hexonxonx]

Peak busy hours or crunch times aside, it is really funny how people--strangers to each other--come in to the store all at once during non-busy hours and a line is quickly formed in front of the register. haha

It is a mystery.

The traffic light changed. Green means here they come.

 

[William.Mantle]

Slow day OP?

 

[Shrink]

Slow day OP?

Oh, shame on you...such sarcasm.

This thread should generate many pages of lively, intelligent, informative, and stimulating conversation.

And you had the nerve to question the topic's value. Hang your head...

 

[William.Mantle]

Oh, shame on you...such sarcasm.

This thread should generate many pages of lively, intelligent, informative, and stimulating conversation.

And you had the nerve to question the topic's value. Hang your head...

I know... I'm terrible

Lock me up and throw away the key

 

[macbook pro i5]

I know... I'm terrible

Lock me up and throw away the key

With pleasure

What?,you were asking for it

 

[Dr McKay]

Businesses often have the same break times for meals.

 

[dukebound85]

Businesses often have the same break times for meals.

Yup

Thought this was obvious

Lunch and dinner will always be busy times

 

[senseless]

What do all the waiters and waitresses do from 2 to 5?

 

[rasmusonline]

If it's fast-food, people come when it's crowded because they think they get it freshly prepared because there where already other ones who bought the shelf warmer.

But if it's about a (consulting) service, I (and I think most people) rather prefer an empty, for example Apple Store, to get treated in a serious but relaxed way.

 

[waloshin]

I sense a challenge.

 

[iJohnHenry]

I sense a challenge.

You sense a force in the weakness??

Figures.

 

[mobilehaathi]

It would be odd only if you assumed people's arrivals were independent, and even then clumping is expected sometimes. However, as mentioned above, breaks often coincide, traffic patterns gather people into groups, etc.


Or maybe you're just processing the queue too slow!

 

[itickings]

Or maybe you're just processing the queue too slow!

Obviously the correct answer

One could also blame traffic lights, zebra crossings as well as bus and train arrivals. Or maybe people are just mean and conspire against the employees.

 

[snberk103]

When I worked in fast food, the answer was always obvious. A bus had just pulled in, coming in off the highway.

 

[iJohnHenry]

A bus had just pulled in, coming in off the highway.

A precursor to the flash mob.

 

[Abstract]

Yeah, I have noticed this. At my favourite cafe, sometimes the place would be completely empty, and then, within 5 minutes, four or five groups of 2-4 people would come in and order, and they'd be swamped. And after that, everything would slow down again. Business lunch crowds aside, it's strange when this happens at non-peak times.

I don't know what it is. Perhaps seeing people inside draws interest from passersby.