AIBU to wonder if queuing is a British thing, what on earth do the rest of the world do??

[RubyCav]

I have heard quite a few people state "queuing is a British thing". So what I really can't work out is, how general life would work without people forming nice orderly ques. So I'm turning to mumsnet wisdom to help me understand.

[ToxicLadybird]

I'm not entirely sure it's even a British thing anymore. Certainly when I was in London recently, trying to board a bus, it was more 'survival of the fitest' than 'form an orderly queue'.

[Cutecat78]

izzabella

Even stood there with the note in hand.

If you are stood at the bar I know you need serving

[AndrastesKnickerweasels]

In Australia, at least at the deli counter and the bakery and such, you just sort of clock who's there before you and when all of them are gone it's your turn. Sometimes there's a bit of a "were you...? Oh, in that case it must be me..."
In my wonderful suburb, if you push in and the serving-person doesn't clock it, it depends on how tough you look. If you look like you eat nails for breakfast, it's death-stares and silence. If you're anything softer, you're firmly given your "Oi, Mate."

[AndrastesKnickerweasels]

To add to that- it's not often someone barges in. Usually the service staff have a bead on who's next and will just sort of look past the barger to the bargee and ask "what'll it be, luv?"

[exWifebeginsat40]

came here to say Russians. flying out of St Petersburg, things got more and more tense the nearer we got to boarding and a scrum formed. as soon as the gate was opened it was bedlam. people literally hauling people back and elbowing in front. it wouldn't have been so bad but it was allocated seats so no need for it at all.

being stoic and British i of course stared at my shoes, said nothing and boarded last.

[wasonthelist]

I was once required to take a ticket in a butcher's shop before being served. I was the only customer in the shop

I had this in hospital getting blood tests done.

[wasonthelist]

I also left a local coffee shop after a member of staff gave me a sharp telling off for queue jumping when I 100% had not.

[siilk]

I lived in Kuwait for a long time. At time people could queue but other times you physically had to force your way through. After a couple of years of seething, I could stand my ground like a professional.

[RaptorInaPorkPieHat]

I was once required to take a ticket in a butcher's shop before being served. I was the only customer in the shop

This reminds me of my Drs surgery before it went high tech, except it had plastic numbered discs that were handed out when you arrived and then hung on a hook as you went in (different colours for different Drs/Nurses). I assume when it was first implemented it worked well, but as time went on, more and more numbers went missing and it evolved into Dr Bingo because no-one knew how many numbers were missing.

"Red 15? 16? 17? 18?"

No-one was in charge of the bingo calling so patients had to take turns

[KittensandKnitting]

There was a que jumper in the post office the other day :)

Of course everyone was very British about it and just tried to kill him with some very serious starring and sideways looks 👀

[KittensandKnitting]

Porkpie that's hillarious

[SanityClause]

When I was in China some years ago, it was a free for all to get onto public transport. You just had to launch yourself at the door, and hope the momentum of those following you would push you on.

[RubyCav]

Thanks guys. I think I like the shoe/flipflop or bag in the line whilst you go sit down style queue best. We should implement that here. Take a ticket and sit is also a good option.

I still find it utterly bizarre that in many countries there's a "survival of the fittest" way to getting served. Its just so far removed from the lovely orderly queues in my little town.

I don't think I'd cope in a barge your way forward place, even though I have very pointy elbows, I'm just not brave enough.

[NotMyMoney]

[SanityClause]

Kittens your post made me recall Kate Fox's book Watching The English, in which she describes people in a queue getting all tense at the idea that someone looks as if they might be about to queue jump. When they fortunately look up, and take themselves to the back of the queue, the rest of the queue-ers feel a sense of self righteousness, as if they have averted a great disaster.

It's a very funny and perceptive book - do read it if you get the chance.

[notamummy10]

The British are great at tutting at queue jumpers though yet we never seem confident enough to say something...

What I would love to know is why do we always say sorry?

[RubyCav]

being stoic and British i of course stared at my shoes, said nothing and boarded last

That would be me too.

[RubyCav]

The British are great at tutting at queue jumpers though yet we never seem confident enough to say something...

Because being British we should feel deep shame and embarrassment at doing something to get tutted or death stared and scuttle to the back of the queue as fast as possible! Tutting and death stares are the British version shouting "#@#&@@#&", so when that doesn't work we don't know what to do so quietly seeth instead.

[RubyCav]

Not my money fab video . I'm never going to drive in Italy!

[KittensandKnitting]

Thanks Sanity * love a good mumsnet book recommendation, I have an entire stack of them :) all have been very helpful or entertaining!!! That sounds hillarious and this was like this and I did find my eked looking up from pokemons and thinking about it.

I always want to say something.... I feel the growing inside, but no I just end up death starring with everyone else... I am not shy or timid in anyway I can hold my own very well but I just end up angry at the terrible I justice Of it all

Happened in sainsburys once to me too, I must have "jump in front of me" on my head , this woman just walked up with a massive basket and jumped the que, the one near the cigarette kiosk so most people had one or two items. Nobody said anything, death stares.Then she left. Everyone discussed how terrible it was between themselves and I could hear the woman behind the counter telling each customer how rude it was

Why don't we just say "oight get in line" or rugby tackle them out the store.

[KittensandKnitting]

But we do, do death sares and seething very well

[wasonthelist]

There was a great "from our own correspondent" once when an Indian man who had moved to the UK described going to the Pharmacy in Mumbai whilst visiting. He was discussing what he needed with the pharmacist, but they were continually interrupted by other customers demanding information or trying to pay for things.

Btw I think there have always been plenty of pushy types about. When I worked in a filling station more than thirty years ago, there was no shortage of people who would march past the queue and throw cash on the counter and walk out.

[soyvanillalatte]

Basically what we do , where I'm from, is see there is a crowd and come back later. Or just hang around until it looks like there is an opening.

[EssentialHummus]

In several European cities I've noticed they attempt a half hearted queue, which is abandoned when someone inevitably makes their way from the back to absent mindedly act as though they don't know a queue exists. They force their way quite brazenly to be served first.

Israelis have got this down to a fine art. Oh, there was a queue? I once had a full-on barney with someone who cut in front of me at a (of course it was) falafel stand in Tel Aviv.