Some people just have to turn everything into a competition.
When Ramsgate had a ferry to France I used to nip across a couple of times a year as a foot passenger to stock up on duty frees. Get the early crossing, breakfast on board, stroll around the town buy a few things and back to the port in plenty of time for a relaxed drink before boarding and lunch. It always astonished me that an hour or more before boarding there was a queue forming at the departure gate, the moment it opened they rushed on board to stake claims to bar seats or tables.
Why, I have no idea. The ferry had enough seats for a full load of passengers, the early Sunday sailing was usualy half empty with a choice of window seats or seats near a bar for everyone. Perhaps they just like to keep their stress levels up
