What does this school mum actually think the rest of us are queuing for??

[aperolspritzbasicbitch]

In general I arrive at my child’s school for pick up about 5 minutes before the playground gate is opened. Not on purpose, it just happens that sometimes the walk is quicker than others. Sometimes I’m the first one there, sometimes there are a few people in front, and others join the queue behind me.

One particular mum will turn up bang on collection time (fine) and just walk past the queue of people patiently waiting and stand right in front of the gate.
As if we aren’t all there for the same reason.

It actually baffles me that she seems to think that her need to collect her child is any greater than the rest of us, but so far haven’t said anything because I can’t be arsed with any playground drama, although yesterday I was tempted to side step in front of her just as the gate was open.

is this not just straight up rude behaviour?

But you would get through the gate one-at-a-time even if you waited in a huddle, because you’d have to. You don’t need to queue outside the gate to go through a gate one at a time. It’s not like without the queue as soon as the gate is opened you would all run at it and try to squeeze 4 through at the same time and start scratching people’s eyes out to get through the gate. You would stroll towards the gate in a relaxed fashion and merge-in-turn so to speak.

Do you really not understand why a queue is not needed in order to take turns going through a gate?? If there was some sort of fairness element like you get something quicker the sooner you get in, but you don’t so it’s pointless to queue.

Do you really want to keep investing your time into this discussion? 😂

This is the most hilarious thread I've read in ages. So this woman obviously either doesn't realise it's a queue or doesn't care. I would guess the former because that might be me.

Personally the next time she appeared beside me at the top I'd smile widely and say that there is a queue.

If she doesn't look embarrassed, apologise and get straight to the back at least you know you have a war on your hands.

Arrhh OP you are getting a hard time on here. I used to be a TA and I get you. It’s like waiting patiently inline for a bus and those that just gaily come up and push to the front of the line. It’s the principle.

You cared enough to respond.

Ah forget that, we generally have a queue, but if we actually waited for the mum's with their slow walking toddlers, we would be there all day
Just keep it moving.

Never heard of queuing outside the school gate, parents just walk in. Queueing would not work in a large school, they'd be right round the block. Parents usually gather in groups and chat, others roll up and join the groups. Who told you to queue?

@aperolspritzbasicbitch i never expected such a normal question to be jumped on and people to literally be squabbling about what an actual queue is 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤣 i'm coming to the conclusion that some people are just waiting to jump on posts and their prime purpose is to disagree at all costs 🥴🤣

Most school are pretty tight on who they allow onto school property so have locked gates.

the line DOES go around the block here, especially when the school is late to open the gates.

Who told you to queue?
I am guessing the closed gates are a clue...?

Let me guess, that's the kind of reasoning you use for your parking? 😂

exactly this

Also, they want to keep the children INSIDE at the same time 😂

I know many of these people and a lot of them live closer to the school than I do and I only live a few streets away! I don’t get it it’s the same people every single day and has been for years now

Maybe it's a pointless queue, like those fools who queue in pubs 🤷
Perhaps you should all just stand randomly spaced. That's what I'd do 😀

is this not just straight up rude behaviour?

No, it's just common sense to walk up to the gate. There's no meaningful reason to have a queue - why are you so keen to set "rules" for people? Buck the trend, go and join her at the front, and strike up a conversation. You might find she is a whole lot more interesting than the sheep who want to stand in line.

Either she's oblivious and a bit dim or completely selfish. Either way, I'd say something in a jokey way, such as; "do you think we're queuing here for our own good?!" - her reaction will tell you all you need to know.

She probably doesn't realise you're queuing as such. I don't think many schools have this system. Usually you just go and wait in the playground after the gate has been opened so the order you go in isn't relevant.
Do the teachers actually send the kids out in order of who was waiting at the gate first?

That would drive me crazy.

I hate inconsiderate people.

Can't you just lean against the gate, with your back against it (lazy teenager style) and see what happens?

Next time shout loudly
‘We are British and we like to queue for no reason!’

I can explain it…

She thinks you’re all idiots and is trying to prove a point.

She is the first person to stand up on an aeroplane.
she takes ALL the reduced stuff in one go for her freezer.
she only claps her child in the nativity play.

So.. I think I’m this mum? Not sure. At our school we often have to wait for the gate to be opened. People seem to be “queuing” but there’s no line. Just people dotted around and anyone who arrives tends to wait behind the imaginary line of people dotted around, if that make sense. It makes no sense to me so I just go and find a space at the “front” 🤷🏽‍♀️

I stand up first on aeroplanes, and I have very good reasons for it 😂

Either the queue isn't so obvious or I'd assume there is some reason I don't know about. Maybe the school have told her to jump to the front as her child has some sort of need that means she should get there as soon as the gate opens? Maybe she has a weak bladder and, after driving, needs to race to the bathroom as soon as the gate opens? I've learned in life to never assume and be gracious about people's motives, because you just never know.

A lady at our school always jumps the queue at pick up. I never said anything. It just not that deep. Anyway, one day I saw her at the train station after drop off. She chatted briefly. It turns out that she moved house and didn't wany to disrupt her older, autistic, kid. She was doing an hour journey each way at drop off and pick up. The trains are 2 an hour so if so if she misses it she's stuck on the platform for 30 minutes waiting and it makes her journey even longer. She's travelling a minimum of 4 hours a day so her kid isn't unsettled. Sometimes people are selfish, unaware or just arseholes and sometimes there's a bigger story behind things.

Parents have to queue at my school because the gates (all 3 of them) are on a narrow passageway at the side of our playgrounds. They walk down the passage to the relevant gate and queue.