ElDuderino, I picked up on some of that, but in a different way. I agree that it doesn’t convincingly prove that having a reason is the driving force, but what “having a reason” implies. I think it comes down to the impression of respect or not.

If they walked up and gave the impression that they felt they should go first because they are more important, that wouldn’t receive the same response. For example, I assume that when they said that they were, “In a rush”, they said it in a way that implied, “I generally wouldn’t cut, but this is an unusual circumstance.” However, if they had just walked up and said that same thing with more of a dismissive tone (but not confrontational) as though their time was more valuable than the others, they would not have been as successful.

I think that the reason in this case, the asking for permission and the minimal impact (5 copies rather than 500 copies), allowed the person in line an opportunity to be gracious making them feel positive, but not insulted.

However, on the original assumption regarding people needing a reason, I think there is some truth to this, but not in the example shown. I believe that if they had asked someone to do a task that the person felt had no purpose or benefit (ie., “busy work”), the person will be less inclined to do so.