Yesterday waiting in line to pay for a newspaper, a strange thing occurred.

Two people ahead of me and this young guy comes running up to a floor assistant, with two postcards in his hand. Asking could he pay her instead of going to till.

She explained the items had to be scanned and asked him politely to join the small queue.

He was two places behind me. Just as I was about to pay, he rushed around, dropped the cards on the counter and ran out the door. I found it slightly amusing this young man wasn't prepared to wait two minutes to finish his transaction.

This morning a piece from Robert Cialdini's book Influence came to mind. The experiment in jumping the photocopier queue. It would be ideal for this young man in a hurry and a lesson in influencing people. All he had to say was " do you mind if I skip ahead BECAUSE  . . .
I have a bus to catch
I am in a rush
My parking ticket is about to run out

Because as the piece in the book says all people need is a reason to do you a favour. Using the word " because " would have given him a 94% chance of his request been accepted by people ahead of him in the queue.

Next time you are in a hurry or need a favour remember " BECAUSE " is a powerful word to persuade and influence people

Colin Myles Author