To stray slightly from the queue?

[SandlakeRd]

I was shopping today and waited as two people got served. I was at the end of the queue. As the person in front was being served (it took a while!) I moved slightly to the right to look at the items they have on those displays near the till. It was at most three steps.

I turned and someone was stood behind me so I said oh sorry I was in the queue and was just looking. She didn't move so I stood in front of her as the other person was finishing. I then went to the till. She the gave me a very very dirty look!

This then got me thinking? Had I technically given up my place in the queue? What is the right thing to do?

[ScarlettFreestone]

It depends how far you've moved tbh.

[KRG13]

I think if you're at the end of the queue and veer off, then you lose your place. Because other people aren't mind readers

[RebootYourEngine]

I think it depends on the layout of the shop and how far you moved.

[SandlakeRd]

No more than three steps but I did have my back to where the queue would start so I had picked something up. I usually ask if I see people looking at things in the queue but near the front.

[KRG13]

I don't mean mind readers do I..clairvoyant maybe

[SandlakeRd]

It was shoe shop with three tills and a two rack display of shoe polish in front. The queue started at the corner of the racks and I had moved to the middle of the two. I had only moved as I waited so long I was bored!

[Jazzywazzydodah]

Actually by law it depends on if you had one foot still left in queue line. If both feet were out of the queue - you my friend had officially left the queue!

Hell yeah I'd be giving you the snake eye!

In fact I'd probably wrestle you out of the queue as nothing gives me the rage more that queue dodgers ..

[HunterHearstHelmsley]

I'd have assumed you weren't in the queue if your back was to it and you were looking at something.

[SandlakeRd]

I did tell her I was the queue when I saw her- it was only the two of us. Maybe she is at home telling people about the rude woman in the shoe shop

[JoWithABow]

Yeah she was being grumpy. The very British thing to do would have been to both apologise profusely and argue the other one should go first.

[CherieBabySpliffUp]

3 steps is about 3 metres?
I would say you left the queue

[KRG13]

You can't just tell someone you're in the queue- you have to actually be in the queue

[Jazzywazzydodah]

There is a thread in chat now about a women pushing in a queue !

[SandlakeRd]

No three little shuffle steps. Think a small display of shoe polish and insoles! I have never been a queue pusher in before. It's an odd feeling of guilt and naughtiness

[SandlakeRd]

Normally I would have done the whole no you first thing but I had been waiting so long I must have lost my mind!

[RufusTheRenegadeReindeer]

Similar happened to me once

Queuing in our local fruit and veg shop

Next one in line

Stepped and stretched my arm to pick something up...so didnt leave as my foot was still there

Went to the next available checkout woman...who completely ignored me and yelled to the woman behind me 'were you next'

Fucking rude...so obviously the woman behind me said that i was indeed next and the rude checkout person deigned to serve me

And i was so gobsmacked that i didnt say a word...which is not like me

So agree with others...depends on how far you moved

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

You either have a foot in the queue or you are out! I'd have been a little more gracious and let the other person have the spot. You weren't in the queue can't believe how strongly I believe I'm right

[ovenchips]

I don't think you did anything wrong. You were in the queue and were awaiting your turn. You were correct in telling her you were in front of her in queue because you were!

Conversely, the woman wasn't to know you were telling the truth and obviously thought you'd queue jumped - hence the filthy look.

IMO tis just one of those petty social interactions where both probably feel in the right and tbh it doesn't matter who was. Not worth any headspace!

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

3 steps is about 3 metres

Haha she's not Jonathan Edwards!!! She must have taken enormous great strides across the shop floor to make 3 steps in to 3 metres. 😂😂😂

[MrsELM21]

I think we need a diagram

[HotNatured]

As a side, is it really just a British thing, the queuing system that we have adopted? I have been to many countries where no such thing seems to exist and its just a free for all. It makes me feel quite stabby but I obviously keep my gob shut as it's not the 'culture' but really, its not fair to push in ! And so disorganised ! Why do 'we' have such a thing about it, when other cultures dont seem to care?

[RufusTheRenegadeReindeer]

Dh disagreed with someone in a shop once about queuing and i did that very annoying passive aggressive thing of explaining very loudly why the other man was completely in the wrong to the children

Ashamed of myself i am...a bit