Should someone who's been waiting longer than you at the bus stop always get on first?

[Letthebodieshitthefloor]

The bus I take is essentially a coach, always plenty of seats even at busy hours.

This morning I approached the bus stop, a woman was already there, and I saw her glaring at me because I was standing in the bus stop rather than at the side.

She then let another woman on first who'd perhaps been there longer than she had, then got herself in front of me and looked at me making sure I wouldn't get on before she did.

It's all a bit petty really, the bus was almost empty, it's not going to go without you.

If there were a pregnant/vulnerable/elderly passenger getting on and I could see there weren't many seats left then I'd let them on first.

Yes it's best bus etiquette. Although if it's empty usually people don't mind. They've been waiting longest so should get out the cold soonest.

Of course the people who get there first go on the bus first. What are you, a savage?

If there were a pregnant/vulnerable/elderly passenger getting on and I could see there weren't many seats left then I'd let them on first and you have no idea if she is 'vulnerable' or not.

A savage.. 😂
If you arrive later and there are many people there it's hard to know who got there first etc. Unless you form an orderly queue based on arrival time

British bus etiquette, innit. Surprised you don’t know!

Of course the people who get there first go on the bus first. What are you, a savage?

@FourTeaFallOut

Of course the people who get there first go on the bus first. What are you, a savage?

Actually, just ignore that...that seems a lot more shitty seeing it written down. I don't like that.

I let on younger school kids if on own and looking really small, esp if they have that look like they find it all a bit intimidating.

Also elderly people, those who sticks etc, parent by self with strapped baby plus couple of younger children to corrale.

Off the top of head.

It’s the way. If you arrive later than most then you let them sort it out then get on once they all have. Obviously if someone with wheelchair, pram or elderly I offer them to get on before me.

Yes quite petty and no need for the glaring! I usually don't know exactly where the bus will stop and stand wherever. I will let people before me on first but only if it's obvious and the bus hasn't stopped right in front of me. At busy stops where buses have several doors, people just pile on after all.

I've not travelled via bus for about a decade but I was always taught to follow the order of arrival. So if someone there before you, they go first. If there's lots of people obviously you wouldn't know full order but be polite and let those who have been waiting since before you arrived on first.

Was this in Britain?

Of course you get on the bus in the order you arrive. It’s literally what this country is known for

Oh didn't read OP properly.

Of course they get on first. Are you not familiar with the situations where adhering to the norms is a given here?

Good for her with pointed glaring etc.

Yes if there are people waiting you stand in a queue like fashion and those who were there first get to board first.

I hate it when people position themselves right at the front of the stop when the bus is about to arrive so that they can jump on first.
It’s so rude.

Yes, it's like an informal queue.

I got very confused when waiting for a bus in Cuba as whenever anyone new arrived at the bus stop they would ask ‘ultimo?’ and the last person to arrive would raise a hand or nod at them, but everyone just sat or stood where they wanted to. When the bus arrived, they seamlessly formed themselves into a queue, with each person standing behind their ‘ultimo’. It was a thing of beauty.

@FourTeaFallOut not shitty at all - it made me laugh and came across exactly how I suspect you meant it

Bus stop etiquette is similar to pub etiquette. No queue forms but everyone clocks who was there before who and sticks to that priority order. It doesn't matter that there's plenty of seats. You don't know if the person before you has a favourite place to sit (3 rows from the front, on the left, aisle seat is my personal preference if its free) so you simply don't get on in front of them. Unless they explicitly say to you to go on ahead which does happen sometimes (some people like to be last to get on. Not sure why). Your default assumption should always be to hang back until everyone who was at the bus stop before you is on the bus though, unless you are sure they don't want to get on before you.

Of course they get on first! I assume you don’t shove in at the head of people waiting at a supermarket checkout do you?

Yes always. Although if I am first and someone elderly, disabled is waiting I let them go ahead of me ( I do this wherever I am in the queue if such a person is “behind” me)

It's a standard in Sweden, a queue on the bus stop.

Yes always was the case but people often don't bother now

@MsJaneAusten

I got very confused when waiting for a bus in Cuba as whenever anyone new arrived at the bus stop they would ask ‘ultimo?’ and the last person to arrive would raise a hand or nod at them, but everyone just sat or stood where they wanted to. When the bus arrived, they seamlessly formed themselves into a queue, with each person standing behind their ‘ultimo’. It was a thing of beauty.

Oh that sounds perfect. That or one of those ticket machines they used to have at supermarket deli counters.

Yes they absolutely should! My pet hate is cheeky bastards standing vaguely near the front of the queue who know full well other people have waiting longer. Bet your arse you'll get a filthy look.

Didn't mean you're a cheeky bastard OP - they're just rife where I live!