(September 28, 2006) — You’re in the lunch line. The line’s pretty long, considering the bell just rang five minutes ago and you’re suffering from a severe case of the munchies; snack was more than an hour and a half ago. You’re getting closer to the front. The aroma and scent of cafeteria food are enticing your senses (despite the fact that cafeteria food isn’t exactly the best food on earth). You’re hungry, plain and simple. All of a sudden some inconsiderate person, possibly with his/her group of friends, cuts in front of you with no regard that you’ve been waiting and that you are hungry. Out of all those little things that just completely vex you in high school, people who cut in line are the number one annoyance. In truth it would be better if the people in line just told the person not to cut, but most don’t. The worst possible thing that could happen is that the person who cut might make a scene and want to start something with you. The truth is we are scared to confront that person. If you can stand up to that person, congrats to you. “They’re too afraid to speak up,” Junior Jeffrey Salvador said “They feel intimidated” For the most part we ignore the person that cut in front of us. “To me, if it’s just one person cutting ahead or if the line is kind of short, I don’t really mind people cutting. I just hate it when people in large groups just go in front of you,” sophomore Ustin Stasevich said. It’s inconsiderate to cut. It displays lack of courtesy and, most importantly, a lack of respect. It’s taking the shortcut and finding the easy way through. We will get nowhere if we continue to allow people to cut. Recently I went down to the cafeteria to get food and it was utter chaos. The lines resembled a stampede; a herd of students crowded at the door, pushing and shoving as dozens tried to make their way through. Others like me patiently waited as we saw the vast numbers of students cutting ahead. “Violated is how I feel, unimportant, invisible,” said junior Ruben Rojas. When you cut you make it easier to get what you want, while simultaneously making it difficult for the people behind you to get what they need: food. But at the same time cutting is a selfish, narcissistic and thoughtless act. Rather than thinking of the needs of others, you selfishly cut ahead of them to attain what you want. It takes patience. Yes, lines do seem longer this year, but we all just need to take it slow and wait. The main reason why it takes so long to get your food during snack or lunch is because of the people that cut ahead. By letting cutters go ahead, they are the ones making everyone else behind have to wait even longer. Cutting is a tragedy that, unfortunately, occurs at almost every school. Rarely do people who cut get caught and punished for their violation. It’s sad but true. Teachers watch lines, but the minute they turn their back someone cuts ahead. Teachers keep quiet about the situation of cutting yet raise their voices when the lights of the cafeteria go out. They’re there, but I feel as though they’re not exactly doing the best job. The only thing we can do to change this is to speak up. Ignore the thought of embarrassment and say something. That’s the only way to effectively stop cutting and make the lunch lines go more swimmingly. We all want to reach the front, so wait, and eventually you’ll get there.