Queue jumping dilemma!

It's years ago now, but I was in a supermarket queue one lunch time, on my lunch break - when a man started at the back of the queue asking each woman (there were no other men in the queue) if they would mind if he went in front of them, as he only had one item. He did this with each person in turn, none having refused him - until he got to me. When asked, I said "Sorry, I'm on my lunch break - just as most of the other people in the queue are, and I'm afraid I'm not willing to do so" Had he simply asked one or two, I might not have refused, but to go in front of six or seven people, asking each one was just too much for my patience. There were three other people still in front of me!

If I see someone hovering between two tills ready to jump to next free till I ask which queue they are in. They usually have to commit to one or the other.

Yes agree it was petty

What makes it a ‘power’ thing for the OP is that it didn’t even affect her...this person was behind her in the queue.

Glad there are at least a couple of other posters who think this is petty.

Class - I love it! hate queue jumpers!

Oh my days!

What a laugh this thread has given me.
Some very, very funny posts right there.

Thankyou, thankyou (to those enjoying my small act of rebellion with me/us). I certainly am enjoying yours.

Yehbut - It would not have worked if I had been behind her, duh!

"Passive-agressive" was the time I opened milk-shake on a husband he was brow-beating his poor wife and calling her a slut, Mmmm banana shake, sticky! hahaha...


No really I just followed my bible teachings:-

Do unto others as they would do unto you, and, the Lord helps those that help themselves, lol!

Sorry, not sorry

My son in law is German and once said ‘it is only the English who form orderly queues, everyone else muscles in and believes it’s every man for himself’. I think he’s right

I hate it when people queue jump. If I'm feeling brave and the jumper isn't 7 foot tall and built like a brick sh!t house I usually say "Excuse me, I think I was before you". Usually does the trick.

Well done OP.

I might have said this before but in a a very busy pub a man tried to jump the queue but was told by the young woman serving that he would have to wait his turn. He shouted at her do you know who I am. Her response was quick, she shouted out quiet everyone, I have a man here who doesn't seem to know who he is, does anyone know him? He put his head down and disappeared

We were queuing in the cinema for a coffee to take into the film. When the person in front of us got to the front of the queue, suddenly the whole family appeared from nowhere and wanted drinks, hot food, snacks, the works. We eventually got our coffees but missed the start of our screening. I take a flask in my bag now!

Barmeyoldbat. That was pure gold.

I can’t always stand for that long so my husband will queue whilst I sit somewhere and then I join him as he gets within my limits. I don’t look outwardly disabled so people can look askance but, given the choice, I’d love to have the stamina to queue.

Might be annoying but it's not the end of the world. Unfortunately I find many older people seem to think bus queues do not exist, rather than end up constantly arguing I let them all get on with it. Ive decided life really is too short.

@Fiachna50
Me too -
I had to leave a queue once after a 40 minute wait (Sugar shortage 1970's - Anyone remember that?)

I think we have a few disgruntled queue jumpers posting today, lol!
Sorry, but you're just not more special than anyone else.

Lived in Germany for 3 years and they queue/cut.

Cause and effect in action folks

No, not unreasonably noble at all. Quite the right thing to do I'd say!

Although, when I'm in the checkout queue with a trolley full and the person behind me only has a couple of bits I always let them come around me to be served next, only fair I think.

Oh blooming heck!!!!!! Predictive text AGAIN! My previous comment would read: No, not unreasonable at all! Er hem, sorry folks! ??

A man asked me once if he could queue jump and I asked him, very loudly, why he thought he was so important that his time was more important that mine. He stood behind me!

I did laugh at this! Although have mixed feelings as to what would upset me and what wouldn't!

IF the 'friend' joining the queue only had a few items I would probably just let it go.

Whenever I am in a queue and have a full trolley load I generally ask a person behind me with just a few items if they would like to go first (backfires when several people only have small baskets lol)

I don't understand people when another till opens just rush to it without asking the people in front of them IF they would like to go first - I always do!

But for those who state they get annoyed when people jump from one queue to another - I think I love the shops that have one line only and the next available cashier is theirs! In our local spar they do this but it is a kind of unwritten rule that locals adhere to - when newbies come in they see empty tills and make a beeline for it (short lived as they are shouted down) ha ha ha.

Bus stops here aren't too bad (unlike abroad) most people recognise 'the queue' Trains, however, different story. I can be on an empty platform one minute and the next swamped with travellers who all pile on before me so I have to stand! Only wish there was some form of regulating THAT!

At end of day though - minor nuisances in the grand scale of things.

I was once queuing for a fun fair ride with my dcs. It was a popular ride, so a long queue. A girl in her mid to late teens came off the ride and rejoined the queue with two others and started to push her way forward. When she got to us she said “can you move so I can get through?” I said “no, we were here first”. She then said “move, I need to get to my sister further on.” I again said no. She then started shouting at me and said her sister had anxiety and needed them with her and if I didn’t move it would be my fault if anything happened to her! My response was “no, it won’t be, if your sister really needs you perhaps she had better come back down the queue to be with you.” She shouted one of the fairground workers over and said I was stopping her from getting to her sister who needed her. I could see he was wavering about letting her through, so I just said to him “can I have your name, so I can let the owners know how good you were, not letting queue jumpers through, and making them go back to the end?”
Unsurprisingly he then told her to go back down the queue!

Oh that's a good one! Chucky

I love that you remained civil - it's just good form, I think.

It is funny seeing their entitled little faces not able to comprehend.

Try queuing for the lift on a cruise... It opened my eyes

Cruise lift queues, yes! Lol!

Good for you unanimous. The lady knew she shouldn't be jumping the queue.
Its good to make a stand for others.
I wouldn't have the courage. Although once in Lidl I asked a man who jumped to a newly opened till, Would he mind if I went first as I had been in front of him in the first queue. He stared at me speechless for a minute and then said no. I thanked him sweetly after I paid.
I do blame the queuing system though.