mini-moan: silver lining?

Firstly, this is post number 150. Big up The Guy Who Moans Called Matthew Massive!

So, I was perusing the Deli-counter at Waitrose, in fact I was the only person at the deli counter and about to purchase some items. But then, suddenly, swooping in like some sort of mad bat an old lady jumped in front of me to enquire about the location of pre-packed Salami. I thought this couldn't take more than a few seconds so didn't mention anything, though obviously I was boiling over with rage and eyeing up the cheese wire!
Then, to my amazement, a long conversation about various Salami available at the counter began, the next thing I know the counter assistant started slicing huge amounts of Salami. I stood there bewildered, was this an evolution of the 'Chat and Cut'? Literally a chat about Salami followed by cutting Salami.

Apparently during this outrageous behaviour by a member of the 'greatest generation' two women appeared at the counter looking at cheeses. This now fairly lengthy queue provoked a member of staff to jump into action and reduce the congestion that was now forming at the deli. Unaware of who was first in line (clue it was me) the assistant asked who was next, to my complete surprise one of the new arrivals chimed up "I'm next" to which I had to finally take exception.

Perhaps these 'cutters' were concerned that the 5 year matured cheddar might suddenly expire in the 5 minutes it would take for me to purchase some coleslaw, or that the Danish Blue would become a tad too mouldy for consumption?