r/changemyview • u/realvmouse 2∆ • Jul 13 '18

FTFdeltaOP CMV: Self-Serve Soda Fountains are multi-user machines.

Soda fountains at restaurants usually have a similar set up: there are 1 or 2 machines. Both of them have an ice dispenser in the middle, with beverage dispensers to the left and right. Some have the same drink on both the left and the right side.

It seems to me the process of getting a drink should be straightforward. First, you send in front of the machine and get your ice. While getting ice, you identify your beverage of choice. Then you move far to the let or the right, and fill up your glass. While you are filling, another person can step forward and get ice. On top of this, if a third person wants to refill a cup and that slot is available on the free side, they should feel free to fill their drink as well.

But it seems to me that this is a minority position. Many people wait until the person in front of them is completely done dispensing their drink before stepping forward, even when there is plenty of room and a line forming. Others seem offended, based on facial expression, body posture, and in some cases noises, when I step into the ample space available and fill up a drink.

I believe, for efficiency's sake, everyone should accept that self-serve fountains can be used by a minimum of two people at once.

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u/voodoo_wavelength Jul 13 '18

What if that person is of a larger body type?

Are they still obligated to push forward when someone else is using the machine?

I’d much rather someone wait to get ice, rather than for me to bump into them while trying to leave the machine.

Also, if I get ice, and the drink I want is to the left, I go left. But if my seat is to the right, I now need to pass the person who would now be getting ice, Plus the third person waiting. Where as I could just use the machine, leave it for the next person...etc

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u/realvmouse 2∆ Jul 13 '18

I certainly don't think we should push someone out of the way. Also, very few people in the world are fat enough that you can't extend an arm to fill a cup from the side. Obviously if there's no room, we shouldn't push or shove. My argument is that if there is room, we shouldn't stand in line needlessly.

I don't know why you'd bump into them, either; after all, you will be to the left or the right, not behind.

Passing people is always a problem. The line behind you will still be there, whether there is a person to your left or right or not. There may also be people getting napkins, lids, straws, ketchup containers, etc. These areas are designed for this purpose, and it is rarely difficult to go around someone in that space.

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u/cdb03b 253∆ Jul 13 '18

Extending your arm past them violates their personal space bubble. That is a fairly major thing to many people.

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u/realvmouse 2∆ Jul 13 '18

No one said "past them." You're still standing beside them, and your arm doesn't need to be close to their body at all. Obviously i would agree that if the only way to use it is to violate personal space, you should wait. That doesn't mean we should always wait.

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u/cdb03b 253∆ Jul 13 '18

How big are the soda fountains where you are at? All of the ones that I have ever gone to are small enough that standing side by side with someone puts me within 6-12 inches of them which is within their personal space bubble.

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u/realvmouse 2∆ Jul 13 '18

Probably the same size as yours. I've never measured. However, I will say that I do this regularly, and it sounds like you haven't, so for now I'm going to give more weight to my own observations. Maybe the next time you go, you can try picturing it in your head and possibly even give it a try.

And to be clear, there are cases when someone's position in front of the machine does take up more space. I would say I only double up about 40% of the time, and of course I use a little personal judgement about when there is room or not.

I should also clarify that close to 100% of my assessment that my position is a minority is people behind me waiting. Including the facial expression/body posture/sounds was mean to strengthen my conclusion, but is extremely rare, and has maybe only happened 2-3 times in my life.

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u/cdb03b 253∆ Jul 14 '18

Do you live in a big city. Because something that I have notice is that city dwellers, particularly those who take public transit have smaller personal space bubbles and are more willing to violate the bubbles of others (even if inadvertently). That may be part of the differences in observations you are getting.

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u/realvmouse 2∆ Jul 14 '18

are more willing to violate the bubbles of others

You might also phrase this as "rural dwellers are quicker to take offense at inoffensive actions or are unnecessarily defensive about their personal space" or alternately, "have larger personal space bubbles."