Letter to Line Cutters

TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CUT IN LINE

A letter to the Tino students that have never seen the end of the line

I’ve been looking at my phone for a while now, but perhaps not in the technology-addicted Gen Z manner you might think. When all else in the world remains stationary, the subtle change of my phone’s clock reminds me that time is passing – a stark juxtaposition with the static brunch line ahead. Despite the fact that five minutes have passed and the line is indeed moving, I stay sedentary alongside those stuck in the back while masses of friends cluster together to cut in the front. While y’all catch up, gossiping about your classes and enjoying the ease of instantaneous nosh, my patience gets ever closer to running out.

Look, I can understand your decision to some extent. It’s Burrito Tuesday today, and breakfast burritos are, without a doubt, the best brunch item we get all week. All morning, people talk about the warm, pillowy potatoes and luscious eggs, wrapped together in a warm tortilla. However, demand exceeds supply, and a burrito shortage means that students at the end of the brunch line are unable to get their hands on any. I understand you love burritos, but there’s an equitable way for you to get your hands on some of this deliciousness. Rather than robbing those patiently waiting for their turn, just stand in the line like everyone else. It’s really not that hard.

I know, I know. Everyone else cuts in the line, don’t they? Why stay at the back of the line, complaining and lamenting about line-cutters when cutting lines is ingrained in Tino culture? Abiding by academic integrity clauses comes naturally. The threat of permanent transcript tarnishes is enough to ensure morality in classrooms. But how about integrity at the lunch line? Universities don’t pay attention to this, nor does any student actually care enough to call you out, and the act of line cutting is so simple it’s easy to succumb to it even if your conscience tells you otherwise. Of course, you are driven by the thought of consequence as well: you wait for ten minutes (wasting more than half of your limited brunch time), only to reach the front of the line and be forced to grab a glazed scone and plain 2% milk (ugh!). But, at the end of the day, you still have food in your stomach, no? Considering that a substantial portion of the global population is at risk of food insecurity, don’t our problems of choice look petty? Yeah, I think so. At least we have food to pick from. At least we have food.

Therefore, instead of comparing brunch items tomorrow, let’s be thankful instead. Rather than making lame excuses for why you deserve to cut the lunch line, stand at the end like everyone else. Oh, you can’t see the lunch line? Open your eyes; it swirls and twirls and absorbs the entire quad. Your burrito cravings shouldn’t jeopardize others. Don’t live in fear of items running out; instead, remember, the burritos will be back again next week, and in the meantime, be grateful for what you have.

From an anonymous, hangry student,