[mc32]

--which is why Delis‡ traditionally give you a numbered tag. It's a single line, but you can go about and not feel "constricted" to the queue (tail).

Don't forget, Frys also has a "semaphore" who cues people to the next register.

‡among many places like hospitals, information centers (DMVs), etc.

[MartinCron]

My favorite hardware store (Dunn Lumber in Seattle) does the same thing. It was difficult to get used to at first, but it's really nice to just take a number, wander around, and then not feel like you're holding anyone up if you don't order your lumber as fast as is humanly possible.