[leadpenny]

I'm surprised that people don't get a sixth sense about these things. I can remember when my children were little and in a packed day-care Christmas play. The place was over capacity, I'm sure. Panic came over me like an instinct. Couldn't wait for the thing to be over.

[prairiebreeze]

I also don't like it when restaurants are over-full or have a ka-jillion people crowded in the lobby waiting to get in---and blocking the primary exit.

Somehow the idea of open flames in the kitchen and over-capacity sends off an alarm to me. I've left more than once to find another less crowded place.

Shame about this. I'm also a Chicagoland FReeper.

Prairie

[Ditter]

I understand your panic, I have felt that way too. The older I get the less I am able to tolerate crowded places.

[George from New England]

I work in the wedding business. Occasional I will have to work in a place where an exit is blocked, or a exit door is dead-bolted. When I say something I'm made to feel lke an isolated idiot. The banquet hall has threatened me that I will never work there again, etc. This was even before 9-11.

Most people live their lives with a sizable amount of risk, just look at the tailgates on the highway. Every other week we hear about a 50 or more car pile up. These numbers wouldn't be anywhere this high if drivers kept a safe distance.