There's also the simple explanation that he's easily tall enough to see over everyone in front of him. It's a contributing factor at least. That and his bafflement over the little slips of paper that are definitely (he thinks?) not money, why does this woman have so many of them--oh Fury, now she's arguing about dates? Why...

He's stopped from wondering if he can open his coffee even if he hasn't paid for it yet by a blur of motion out of the corner of his eye that in an instant resolves itself into a missile heading straight for him and there's a moment of totally not panicked juggling as he shoves the can (good thing you didn't open it, huh) into his elbow and catches the thing just before it nails him in the eye.

"...was that necessary?"

Because of course he recognizes Dirk, now that he's not distracted by flying rice balls.