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Original poster

Queue-jumpery at it's finest

46 replies

FluentRubyDog · 15/05/2024 11:46

So I'm in the hospital cafe for a desperately needed cup of coffee. Long queue, c section scar a murder (been here a while due to a NICU stay).

This woman I have never met before comes up to me, so down ⅔ of a queue and asks me if I could shout her across a busy, large cafe when I'm next to be served, because SHE DOESN'T WANT TO STAND IN A QUEUE?!?!

She didn't look ill or disabled at all (of course you can't always tell) but there were people in wheelchairs and visibly unwell who still didn't think it beneath them to queue.

I just said: "Sorry, I just don't feel comfortable with that" but seriously...

OP posts:
frankentall · 15/05/2024 11:53

When I took my Mum on one the many hospital visits prior to her death we had to queue for ages (she had to go and sit down in the end) at the hospital pharmacy. The waiting time was considerably lengthened by all the people ignoring the queue and demanding immediate attention from the tiny number of overworked staff. It was beyond annoying.

toomuchfaff · 15/05/2024 13:24

cf

Conkersinautumn · 15/05/2024 13:33

Definitely cf. Hospital I a place where the queue just IS, you've no idea what anyone else is there for!

Stormyweathr · 18/05/2024 22:31

i have a illness were I faint when I stand up
I look like a normal healthy person so you can’t really judge that

saying that if I felt too ill to stand in a queue I would sit down and wait till the queue went or leave, so I suppose this is not about the lady having a disability or illness more the fact that the lady simply wanted to queue jump (illness or no illness)

BlankSt · 19/05/2024 09:29

Good response @FluentRubyDog

Some people are just weirdly entitled.

I had a woman try to jump in ahead of me in the [very small] queue for cinema tickets by asking 'sweetly' if she could. She was most taken aback that I asked why. Justification was that she was paying cash. I told her I was too (I wasn't going to but I did, this was a while back). Then it was because she knew exactly what film she wanted to watch. I told her I did too. It was then my turn, so I took it. Her and her friend shot me daggers when I turned round. I got the distinct impression this was her MO and it worked most of the time.

GotMarriedInCornwall · 19/05/2024 10:07

Surely if someone has an issue where they can’t queue standing up they could just explain to whoever is at the back that they are going to queue sitting down and join their place once at the front. At least then they’re still observing some of the social expectations of waiting their turn.
Definitely cheeky!

JohnPrescottsPyjamas · 19/05/2024 15:11

Just because I want to vent and it still pisses me off even now.

We went on holiday with another couple who are really good friends. We were in Athens doing one of those open top tourist bus tours and had spent several hours at the acropolis.

The bus was due at a specific time so we all waited in the designated point. There wasn’t a particular queue, just a gaggle of around 30 people at the bus stop. As soon as it arrived and the side doors were opened, everyone surged forward until this woman shouted out and very assertively pushed forward to the front, insisting he husband was disabled and therefore had to get on first. He then shuffled up behind her too. Out of politeness, people let them through and no kidding, they literally legged it upstairs and grabbed the front seats and those stairs on double deckers are pretty steep and twisting!

Being very British, I just chuntered to myself but my friend strode right up to them and said, “Not that disabled are you?! Never seen anyone move so fast to bag a seat!” The woman then waved her hands dismissively in my mates face and did the, “No speak English” bit.

I know in the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t that important, but it’s the willingness to just blatantly lie to get their own way. Clearly, these two had a neat little arrangement going with him play acting and her pushing the entitlement game.

StormingNorman · 19/05/2024 15:19

I have a condition that makes standing still very uncomfortable due to muscle weakness so queues are torture. I normally end up leaning against the counter or whatever to take the pressure off. I don’t look like there’s anything wrong with me…well until I start swaying and slumping like a loon.

maxandru · 19/05/2024 22:20

Waited at a queue for ice cream van at a summer fair today. I’m 36 weeks pregnant with twins and was accompanied by my 3 year old. As we got to the counter, a woman just walked right up to the front, smiled and said “do you mind if I just jump in front of you?” I was flabbergasted! (I also said no!)

maxandru · 19/05/2024 22:21

StormingNorman · 19/05/2024 15:19

I have a condition that makes standing still very uncomfortable due to muscle weakness so queues are torture. I normally end up leaning against the counter or whatever to take the pressure off. I don’t look like there’s anything wrong with me…well until I start swaying and slumping like a loon.

Sounds a bit like how you’d feel if you’d just had a c section though…!

StormingNorman · 19/05/2024 22:23

maxandru · 19/05/2024 22:21

Sounds a bit like how you’d feel if you’d just had a c section though…!

Show quote history

It’s not a competition. The point I was making is that someone can look perfectly well and have problems.

SchnauzerLady · 20/05/2024 14:41

JohnPrescottsPyjamas · 19/05/2024 15:11

Just because I want to vent and it still pisses me off even now.

We went on holiday with another couple who are really good friends. We were in Athens doing one of those open top tourist bus tours and had spent several hours at the acropolis.

The bus was due at a specific time so we all waited in the designated point. There wasn’t a particular queue, just a gaggle of around 30 people at the bus stop. As soon as it arrived and the side doors were opened, everyone surged forward until this woman shouted out and very assertively pushed forward to the front, insisting he husband was disabled and therefore had to get on first. He then shuffled up behind her too. Out of politeness, people let them through and no kidding, they literally legged it upstairs and grabbed the front seats and those stairs on double deckers are pretty steep and twisting!

Being very British, I just chuntered to myself but my friend strode right up to them and said, “Not that disabled are you?! Never seen anyone move so fast to bag a seat!” The woman then waved her hands dismissively in my mates face and did the, “No speak English” bit.

I know in the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t that important, but it’s the willingness to just blatantly lie to get their own way. Clearly, these two had a neat little arrangement going with him play acting and her pushing the entitlement game.

While he probably wasn’t disabled it’s worth noting that two people in this thread alone have said they cannot stand still but might be perfectly ok to walk. I myself have a similar condition and walking quickly after standing is better as it gets the blood running back to my head to stop me passing out. Of course I’d run to the nearest seat rather than up a flight of stairs though! The couple in your scenario were definitely full of it!

RubberyChicken · 20/05/2024 14:50

I'd just shout 'Oy Holly, get to the back of the queue'

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 20/05/2024 18:36

Any idea why she chose you to call her back to the queue? How bizarre!

Femalefootyfan · 20/05/2024 19:20

DH & I were queuing at fast track security once and this man pushed in front of me. I politely said ‘excuse me, there is a queue’ he replied that he was in business class implying that he was more important than us. I politely replied that we were also in business class and gently nudged him out of our way, cheeky fucker 😳

venus7 · 20/05/2024 19:20

StormingNorman · 19/05/2024 22:23

It’s not a competition. The point I was making is that someone can look perfectly well and have problems.

Show quote history

As indeed the op stated. No reason to be uncivil.

Original poster
FluentRubyDog · 20/05/2024 19:32

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 20/05/2024 18:36

Any idea why she chose you to call her back to the queue? How bizarre!

Not a scooby, if anything I'm known for having a bit of a resting b* face even when I don't want to...

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 20/05/2024 19:35

venus7 · 20/05/2024 19:20

As indeed the op stated. No reason to be uncivil.

Show quote history

I wasn’t replying to the OP. I was replying to you. And I don’t think it was uncivil. Threads evolve.

venus7 · 20/05/2024 19:40

StormingNorman · 20/05/2024 19:35

I wasn’t replying to the OP. I was replying to you. And I don’t think it was uncivil. Threads evolve.

Show quote history

I hadn't made a comment previous to this, and the remark about civility was about the queue jumper, not you......I think you have answered the wrong poster.

Lochroy · 20/05/2024 19:42

Some people!

I went do a posh day at some horse races years ago, and whilst in the queue for the bag storage, a lady came up so me, grabbed me on the arm and said "oh hi, haven't seen you for ages, how are you?". I stared blankly for far too long before the penny dropped and I said in a very loud voice "don't pretend you know me to use me to jump the queue". The nice chap behind me and I had a giggle as she shuffled off.

Original poster
FluentRubyDog · 20/05/2024 20:10

@Lochroy that's hilarious, well done!!!

OP posts:
25mini7 · 20/05/2024 20:13

Just wanted to send you best wishes for the nicu stay, I've been there and it's very hard. Look after yourself x

Toooldtopretend · 20/05/2024 21:38

I had a guy ask if could go in front of me in a queue in Lidl because he only had 3 items. I only had 6 though so I said “sorry I’ve only got a few too”. I still felt guilty though and like he’d be thinking I was really awful. If I have a full trolley I always offer for people with a few things to go ahead though.

Mygliderdoesaloop · 20/05/2024 22:07

I once had a lady start moving my things back on the conveyor belt at waitrose, to put hers in front of mine, as I was waiting with my baby to pay. The man in front had a problem with his card so it was holding everything up.

I said, excuse me, are you actually pushing in? She said 'oh no, that's my husband, he's already in the queue!' gesturing to man trying to pay.

I pointed out hers would be a whole new transaction so yes, she was pushing in but she steadfastly refused to look at me again. Now, I would just pick her things up and move them behind mind but at the time with a new baby I was a bit all over the place.

I took my items to the next till point and loudly told the cashier what had happened and we had a laugh, all within earshot of lady still refusing to look up. I was done before her husband had managed to sort his card issue but still, cheeky madam. They were very well to do as well darling, but simply no manners 😉

whynotwhatknot · 20/05/2024 22:33

bloody cheek if she does have a problem standing go to the back of the queue at least and ask them