Waiting in lines
By charms88
@charms88 (7538)
Philippines
March 30, 2007 3:33am CST
Last weekend, I went to the supermarket to buy my weekly grocery stuff. Before checking out, I normally will go around the lanes and choose the one with the shortest lines. I was waiting for my turn for half an hour already, hungry and tired when an old woman suddenly pushed my cart away and stepped in front of me. I gently tapped the old woman's back and told her to line up behind me. The old woman glared at me and said that I had no manner and respect for the elderly and turned her back on me. She kept ranting and raving while I kept my silence. I admit I'm simmering inside while contemplating doing something on this old woman's mouth.
I know that this is happening everywhere. People will go right up in front of you and pretended that they were the first one to line up. Just imagine yourself in my situation. Tired, hungry and a little grumpy, what will you do? Will you just give in without letting the person know you are the first in line? If the person happened to be good-looking or attractive, will you let them line up in front of you? Will you still demand the person to step out because they are rude? Do share your thoughts.
14 people like this
40 responses
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Wow, what a rude woman! I respect the elderly but still they need to show themselves respect! Did you do anything to her that made her angry? Or did you get scolded for just standing innocently in line and asking her to do the same?
I must confess though that I normally close one eye when elderly cut my queue. They like to do that, especially when getting up the buses. Maybe they are worried they would be left behind. I can understand a little so I don't begrudge them and just let them go first. Sometimes I would even offer to let them go first.
I try not to pick up a fight. Not to mention I risk dying for something so trivial, I also don't want to get charged for breaking someone's nose or fracturing his arm. :P
It is only when I am in a foul mood myself might I take it too hard and demand that the person moves aside.
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
30 Mar 07
Did I do anything to made her angry? Sure, standing in line like an angel and I was subjected to condemnation from a cranky old woman. What do you think, honey. And I better hop in another lane when I see the daredevil coming my way. I still love my fluffy white skin. :)
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Did you, by any chance, whip your tail at her without you knowing?
1 person likes this
@onouui (80)
• Australia
30 Mar 07
Aw, that's very rude for people to do that. When it comes to waiting in lines in a shop or something, I think it's fair that whoever gets to it first should be served first. A person who pushes in rudely should not have to wait any shorter of time than somebody who has actually been waiting.
I don't think that being old or attractive or something is an excuse to be rude and push in. None of those are more superior to another in a shopping line.
But I'm not too sure what I'd do if I was in your situation. If my trolley was close to the next and somebody actually physically pushed the trolley out on purpose, then they should be told not to be so rude and to do the proper thing. Though, I'd probably keep my silence too at the time .
So probably just to tell them not to be rude and do the right thing, and if they don't listen then I would keep my silence, and whatever should come will come to those who are rude.
That's my opinion. O.o
3 people like this
@weemam (13372)
•
5 Apr 07
I am an old lady myself and I would never think of doing this , I have sen it done and I don't think it is right , It is really bad manners , to be honest though I would be as angry as you were if it happened to me but I would probably not have said anything but still I would have been annoyed and probably talked about it when I came home xx
2 people like this
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
30 Mar 07
I do not care if the person is older, respect goes 2 ways and i will not give respect to someone who will not give it to me.
There is a que system for a reason and beeing old does not give you the right to place yourself first in it.
I do respect the elderly, like on busses and stuff i get up and let them sit, but i for sure would not have let this woman pass. I would have pushed her cart away...
2 people like this
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
30 Mar 07
Probably best to kep your cool though, like u said - u are justa little bunny =)
@franxexces (1096)
• Philippines
5 Apr 07
Old or young I won't care1 Since I was the one who got their first then I should be the first. Sometimes, when I have many items and then i feel that somebody behind me is in a hurry and has only one to three items I let him or her line up in front of me. That's the only case wherein I will consider someone to replace my place in the line.
2 people like this
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I really think it's a shame that someone would use their age as a means to be rude. Shame on her, but I admire you for taking the high road and keeping your mouth shut. Once I was waiting in line at the drive through bank teller. I had my baby son in my car. In order to be courteous I drove up as far as I could without blocking the lane so that I wasn't in the way of cars pulling out of the parking lot. As I was waiting a car full of girls pulled right in front of me. I beeped my horn, but they refused to move. When it was their turn, I got out of the car, took my son out of his carseat and walked up to the drive in bank teller. She saw the whole thing and took my deposit before theirs. They cursed me out in whatever language they were speaking, but I just walked away with my deposit slip and didn't say anything to them.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
30 Mar 07
well, it is really rude for the lady to do that even though i know that she is an old woman... at least she has to ask for your permission first before she cut on your line just like that... she might think that she is older than you so she thinks that she has the right to do what she done to you... it is good that you manage to keep your self-control and did not fume up on her... i just hope that she won't do it to anybody else again... other people might not be as tolerant as you... well done...
2 people like this
@disvachic (10117)
• United States
31 Mar 07
Now that was very rude of her.I do respect the elderly but she still could have ask to get in front you.Right is right and wrong is wrong.How would she have felt if you did that to her?Very disrespected!I would have told her the line is behind me,but if she kept insisting being that she is older i would have let go ahead.The only time i let somebody get in front of me in the grocery store is when i have alot of groceries and they may only have one item.
1 person likes this
@greengal (4286)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I would have done exactly what you did Charms, that lady was downright rude and wanted to use her "elderliness" to her advantage..which isn't fair at all. I certainly don't barge into lines and expect the same from others. Attractive or not, a line is a line honey...get behind me! lol
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
1 Apr 07
I am not 100% sure what I would do? In most cases I would stand my ground & not give in. The fact that this woman was old, I suppose gives her an excuse, kind of, but it is not really acceptable behaviour for anyone, even the elderly. My parents wouldn't do that & my mother is disabled.
1 person likes this
@trouble4u2avoid (2915)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I don't care who the person is, what they look like or how old they are, if they are rude and cut into my line, I am going to give them a piece of my mind. I think my time is just as important as anybody else's.
I am having a whole lot of trouble keeping my cool shopping lately. I always speak my mind and I'm sure one day it's going to get real ugly. I can't help it. I am mellow and pretty much can stand a lot of other crap in life. Rude people in shopping stores is something that I have absolutely no tolerance for.
I guess it's because I hate shopping and if someone thinks they are going to cause me to be there longer than I need to be, it peeves me.
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
30 Mar 07
I would let her go in fron t but I would gently remind her..now that I am more assertive ofcourse that we , the younger ones are supposed to be learning a good example from the older ones and that age has nothing to do with good manners..I personally alway let the elders go in front or give my seat to them on the bus or train..but I am in the monority lol..and you do have a right to have your place in the queue..just because of her age she has no right to DEMAND and be rude to be respected for her age..That would peeve any one off lol.We call them old bats or old bags in England lol hahaha but we won't say it allowed..hehhehee
2 people like this
@arcadian (930)
• United States
6 Apr 07
I have had the experience of a young person being ahead of me, and the cashier ignoring theyoungster and offering to attend to my needs. I was furious, insisting that respect be shown to the person who came first. I was rewarded with a shy smile from someone half my height. Sweet. We older people must always demonstrate courtesy and kindness to those who are younger than we are. Because we are always teachers. To act as this woman did to you is insane.It wouldn't have been wrong to point that out to her. I can just see it, You gently tapping her on the arm and saying "excuse me insane person, Are you allowed to shop all on your own? Doesn't the Home send someone along to look after you?" I've always called such people Very Important. I usually make a loud announcement. Oh look a Very Important Person is stepping ahead of me in line. a Very Important Person is bumping into people. i made a cheek or two turn red. what else can anyone do. If it isn['t age-its beauty, VIP's pride themselves on the d*mndest things.
1 person likes this
@bad1981 (799)
• United States
31 Mar 07
If that would have been me, I would have then kindly pushed her cart out of the way and moved right back to where you were originally. Elderly people soemtimes feel like everyone else owes them the world because they are older and that isnt true, now while you should respect your elders doesnt mean that they should walk all over you.
If I was you, I would have rudely said my elders dont try and degrade me by doing such a thing and thaey have respect for the younger people that will be carrying on this world. What is this teaching younger people when they are this rude themselves.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
30 Mar 07
oKAY i'VE BEEN IN A SIMILIAR SITUATION. nOW YOU KNOW ME. i AM A FUNNY TYPE OF MAN. i ALSO CAN BE VERY C*CKY AT TIMES. i HAD AN OLD PERSON CUT IN FRONT OF ME AT A wALmART ONCE. sHE WAS BASICALLY THE SAME AFTER i SAID "EXCUSE ME BUT i'VE BEEN HERE WAITING A FEW MINUTES." She got mouthy telling me I had no respect for my elders etc etc. Well I smiled moving aside saying, Seems youre so old you may need to be in line first. Go ahead gramma." She grunted then got behind me no other words said. I laughed so hard as did the person brehind her. Thanks
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
30 Mar 07
I really get annoyed when older people try to push younger people around. I have seen this happening when young children have been waiting in bus queues and the older people will push to the top of the queue and the young children might have to wait for another bus. I usually allow older people to go ahead of me in the supermarkets, but if they are pushy and try to get in front of me, then I will tell them that there is a queue. If they persist in staying where they are, then as soon as I get up to the cashier, I will dump my groceries on the conveyer belt and explain to the cashier that the old person is out of turn. If the cashier takes no heed, then I would call a manager.
1 person likes this
@ethanmama (1745)
• Philippines
30 Mar 07
I'd like to believe that I am a pretty nice person and would sometimes give way if I'm in a good mood BUT only if asked politely and reasonably. I remember somebody asked if she could go first since she just had 2 things and I had a full cartful, so I did let her. But for people to rudely cut in line is something I would get angry about. I would usually give a remark like: "There is a line. We are all supposed to line up." But being basically a non confrontational person, I don't go beyond that (sigh) and just simmer inside. Later I just think that she'll get her just desserts some way or another if she continues with this attitude of hers. It doesn't matter if she's old, or attractive...she still does not have the right to just do that.
1 person likes this
@Giggles88 (542)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I know I would. If I was hungry, tired, and grumpy I would have snapped at that old lady no matter how "Elderly" she was. I wouldn't have been very polite either. I wouldn't have cared if it was Brad Pitt who had cut in front of me I still would have told him off. lol I can be pretty feisty when I'm hungry.
1 person likes this
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
Ahh lines, I love em! Well not really but my hubby says us Canadians love to stand in line and sometimes I think he is right. He has no problem telling people no matter who they are to get to the back of the line. Not me tho, I would just stand there and take it and sometimes I think my Aussie husband should just relax and enjoy the experience. If you have ever been to a Tim Horton's donut shop in Canada you will see the phenomenon. We line up like cattle and chat and laugh and slowly move forward. I think it is a good way to talk with strangers as we very seldom get a chance in this busy world to talk to strangers, who knows maybe your next best friend is in line with you. As to the little old lady pushing in line, karma will pay her back, no need to worry. Of course if I am in a snit and am pissy I may say something to her...probably not too nice.
