12. Looking At Other Items When Someone Is In Front Of What You Actually Want At The Grocery Store
“This can of olives is super interesting; let me stare at it for a few more minutes until that person moves out of my way. I don’t even want olives.” You’ve found yourself in this odd situation at the grocery store, where someone is blocking the item you really need. Instead of politely asking them to move, you pretend to be interested in other items, hoping they’ll take the hint and step aside. It would be much easier to just ask, but the thought feels too awkward. There’s a funny tension between wanting to be polite and trying to be efficient. You might glance at the olives, then at other products on the shelf, all while keeping an eye on the person blocking your path. This scenario captures the everyday social dilemmas we face and highlights how our own hesitations and social norms can complicate even the simplest tasks.
