Why Do They Do That?

Standing in line at Walmart I again witnessed something that boggles my mind. A lady was waiting in line (I was two people behind her) for about two minutes and then it was her time to purchase her items. The clerk rang up her items and then the lady started to open her pocket book to find her money. Is it a female thing because this happens a lot. Why can't they just start the process while their items are being rung up.
Driving on the highway there is always one car (or more) that insist on driving in the left lane at or below the speed limit. They never pull over to the right and they generally have a NY license plate.