I am finally learning the ropes of and using gmail. I've sent myself a 1.3MB file from an isp email address to my gmail address which would typically get to another of my isp email addresses very quickly... but it's been 10 minutes since I sent it.

Is gmail typically just slower about getting emails with attachments since they're so popular?

Nope. Generally Gmail is really fast--faster than hotmail or Yahoo, anyway, and way faster than any Outlook accounts I've had.

They HAVE been having difficulties the last couple days, though. I've noticed slower mail, and the chat feature and quick contacts features have been disabled off and on.

Aah, maybe it's temporary then. I did finally get the email shortly after posting. It took 12 minutes.