All I wanted was a small container of the Deli's sliced potato salad but it took me a full 13 minutes for my turn at the head of the line-- A line that, when I arrived, only had one, count 'em one person ahead of me.
What is it with grown men and women who think it's okay to cut ahead of people in line as if everyone else in their presence is invisible?
At first I thought I'd give the elderly gentleman who barged in and elbowed me out of the way a break because he was, well, elderly. But when I realized he was wearing tennis clothes and was perfectly fit, alert and well aware of exactly what he was doing, he had his sandwich and was gone.
When the Deli guy asked who was next, I raised my hand but another woman appeared out of nowhere. A few years older than me and dressed in her Sunday best, she looked me over as if I had the plague and simply stepped in front of me. So I pointed out to Her Majesty that she needed to "take a number" from the machine at the end of the counter. She did-- as she loudly placed her order, then returned and stood in front of me waiting for the counter guy to slice her turkey and swiss cheese.
Then, when it was almost my turn, a third guy with two wild kids in tow sashayed up and gave the "poor me, I have to babysit" look. The kids were bouncing off the ceiling and dad was clearly beat so the counter guy looked directly at Daddy Dearest and asked him for his order.
What am I-- chopped liver?!?
And so I waited and wondered if the potato salad was really worth it. I weighed my options and decided it would take more time to go somewhere else then it would to get what I needed at the Deli, but sheesh-- What is wrong with people! They know better right? Didn't we learn about not cutting in line around the same time we learned "take one and pass it on" in kindergarden?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
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It sounds like the deli guy needs to get with the program and actually use his number system. Sometimes us rule followers get the short end of the stick. I tend to be a rule follower, but I am not very patient in lines and I'm not sure I would have been as polite as you were.
ReplyDeleteIf the deli has a number system, they shouldn't say "who's next?" they should look at the number and say loudly #14 please - calling #14. It really is as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteI might have been as polite as you, because unless I have to pee really bad, that's the way I roll.
Sheesh! I hear ya! I am also dumbfounded when driving and someone passes me on the double yellow line? Huh? What the heck??
ReplyDeleteEveryone is in a hurry nowadays. And many a rude! Tis sad for sure!
Hugs
SueAnn
Drives me nuts when that happens!! I blame partly on the employee they should speak up! When we lived in Germany people ditch in line like it was art there...if you gave them a inch they'd hop by you. Then the person behind you would stand so close you could feel their breath...
ReplyDeleteDrives me nuts when that happens!! I blame partly on the employee they should speak up! When we lived in Germany people ditch in line like it was art there...if you gave them a inch they'd hop by you. Then the person behind you would stand so close you could feel their breath...
ReplyDeleteIt truly is the ME generation. I think it's too late for some of the people born before the year 2000. But if more young parents would get a grip and teach their kids about taking turns, our grandchildren may have a chance.
ReplyDeleteLOUDLY...
ReplyDelete"Excuse me. I was next. I don't know where you're from, but on THIS planet, if you want to fit in, you're gonna have to learn the routine."
You are a class act. I think I'm probably a bitch.
if they are going to have a number machine...the deli guy needs to use it...people can be so rude sometimes...i take it you are not still in line writing this on a smart phone...smiles.
ReplyDeleteThese are the kinds of things that irritate me, but you were being awfully polite. I would have said something to the deli guy. I tend to push myself in front of others if I think they are cutting the line, but nobody ever accused me of being shy.
ReplyDeleteThe deli person needed to take control here...that's what those darn numbers are for!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you sista. The deli person really needed to take control of the issue. I hope after all that waiting and frustration the salad was good. xo
ReplyDeleteI don't get the people who line jump. On what planet do they think it's acceptable? I also wonder what is going through their head when they pull such a stunt.
ReplyDeleteWait till the holiday season. That's when people are their best - NOT....
You are a very patient person. I know that sometimes people who are called on their rude behavior react in strange and sometimes dangerous ways. I think that is why some people go through life not knowing how to put a bully in his or her place. I have been in your position and when I stopped the transaction and spoke up sternly but still politely, the person who was the bully tried to intimidate me. With my childhood and background, it takes a lot to intimidate me so I stood firm. I would insist the deli person take my order and call the numbers in order. I wouldn't have been surprised if my tires were slashed while we were still living in San Diego though. It didn't happen but it is such a shame that things have gotten to the place where cutting in lines and pushing people aside are every day occurrences.Some people think that just because they are in a hurry, they should be taken of first, no matter where they are. These people tend to always be in a hurry, not just occasionally. How does that make your feel? Invisible? Yep. That was one of the worst buttons to push pre-therapy for me. I count too. I am not invisible. You count too. You are not invisible.
ReplyDeleteYou are MORE than patient. Maybe you could start taking a cane with you and bopping it over some heads. This is crazy -- were you wearing a sign on your back that said, "Kick me"?? NO! This is one of my peeves...rude people, clueless people or more importantly, assholes who know what they are doing is rude and do it anyway.
ReplyDeleteI hope the salad was yummy.
Practice your assertiveness! I would have definitely said something.
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, you're more patient than I am. I would have raised a stink. I figure if they're able to be there at all, they can wait their turn. There is no excuse for rudeness, but moreover, the deli person should have said, "Excuse me, this woman has been waiting to be served, so please take your turn.." That's why God created supervisors. :-)
ReplyDeleteI always love it when you wait for a very long time and a cashier walks up and says I'll take the next person in line...the person behind you always thinks they are next??? People can be so rude!
ReplyDeleteso very annoying when that happens! Guess you have to be loud and pushy to get noticed, who knows?
ReplyDeleteI'm always astounded by the sense of entitlement some people have, like no one else's time or needs are of any importance whatsoever. I agree with the previous comments that the deli person should have enforced the numbers system and never asked "Who's next?" I found myself sharing your chagrin and admiring your patience! I just got back from the grocery store where one checkout line was open. A woman with a huge basket overflowing with stuff barged in at a dead run to scoot in front of me as I approached the checkout with a handheld basket with six items. I was floored as, if I have a large order, I always offer someone behind me with a few items the chance to go first. Not this lady. Another checker appeared, rolling her eyes, and offered to help me through the self-check stand. So thoughtless and thoughtful people are everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThis is so frustrating! It's bad enough that the people are so rude and jump the line, but the workers should know what's going on!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the deli dude should've gone strictly by the numbers. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteI posted today about anger, but I will be the first to admit that I do not like standing in line and I don't like people cutting in front of me....The question is...do we allow ourselves to become rude like others and push them out of the way, or do we try to remain patient and wait??
ReplyDeleteBlessing...
Shug
I used to care and be upset, I don't anymore. I'll just let it pass.
ReplyDeleteSince they don't use their own number system I would have left. Before leaving a big announcement to the idiot behind the counter about taking your business to a place that uses system to wait on customers would have been given.
ReplyDeleteI don't like it when people in the drive thru are given priority over the people that come inside.
I do not permit people to do that to me. I have had to be assertive at times when confronted (rarely) with a line cutter. But never vulgar, just firm. You can take the girl out of Jersey but you can't take Jersey out of the girl!
ReplyDeleteHow weird! If there is a number system, then that surely means people should go in numerical order?
ReplyDeleteYou're just too nice! It bugs me too when people cut the queue but I usually end up letting them anyway...
Norway is the land of LINE CUTTERS... I let people cut in front of me for the first few years here...but NO MORE... you push me.. I will push you back.. OK.. not really.. but I will call them out on it! ! Hope you have a fantastic day! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteYou are so nice, you probably smiled all the while. But I'm sure it bothered you. Dear me! The "Nice Person Conundrum!"
ReplyDeletesometimes we have to follow what already exists, although it is slightly annoying
ReplyDeleteand i want to follow you,, please follow back :)
People astound me with their lack of manners! And what do their kids learn from it? And since when do the elderly, fit as a fiddle think they deserve 15% off on everything, etc?? ARRGGHHH!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of crazy ones hey. lord it can get annoying sometimes. what I have done in the past is start talking to myself, people step away and they just let you get out of there fast....lol. I have only done that once but it did work. have a great week Joanna, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteSame thing happens to MY WIFE, a lot. She is small in stature (5' 1") and sometimes feels she is not seen, before taller people, by those behind a tall counter. In any case, I keep assuring her that the folks who "cut" will get their just desserts someday. It all comes back to either pay off or do justice. It's a good thought to keep in mind at such times :-)
ReplyDeleteToday is "other people make me angry" day with me too. The lack of consideration of others will make me angry faster than any other human trait. It's "all about me all the time" for some people. They have the self-absorbed attitude of six year olds. I like a phrase I saw in several books--Everybody counts, or nobody counts.
ReplyDeleteOkay, this just further illustrates the issue that is making me absolutely postal lately. What the hell has happened to the qualities of grace and civility?!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow did we think those two things were irrelevant and did we allow them to disappear?!
What the hell were we thinking when we said, "Manners? Who needs 'em."
ARRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHH!
Thank goodness you have a blog to vent in! The world is so over-populated that many people think they have to scratch and push to get what they want. Sadly, it seems to become a way of life.
ReplyDeletePeople are just so incredibly rude these days. Everyone is so selfish and all about themselves. Sorry that was a tough deli day!
ReplyDeleteI hate hate hate disorganization! As much as I detest lines, I'd rather have an organized line than a group of people holding numbers.
ReplyDeleteMost people are oblivious; too much high fructose in their msg. It was the deli guy who did you wrong. I work behind a customer service counter, so I can tell you, there are lots of people that I tell to get in the back of the line and wait their turn.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely nice, JJ because I think I would've cleared my throat loudly and then said to the deli man, "If you aren't going by the number system then I've been first before the last 6 people butted in front of me." That's plain rude!
ReplyDeleteSadly, courtesy and decency are no longer 'common.' Kudos for your decorous behavior in such circumstance.....I'm not so sure I could have been as quiet.
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you are saying. I think in someways we've become an "it's all about me" society and have little regard for the other person. It's so sad that people do this and so unbelievable that an elderly person would act like that as you know they were raised to be polite, or so I thought. Hang in there and next time I guess you'll have to be pushy, which is easier said than done. The Deli is at fault as well though, they need to call the number and not whose next. Perhaps talk to the store manager. Couldn't hurt. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteSadly, many of these same folks are driving on my roads!
ReplyDeleteYou are CLEARLY way nicer than me! I would have told all who pushed in front of me what I thought of them! I hope the salad was worth it.
ReplyDeleteSadly, better try to go somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteGood manners costs nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe person running the counter has an obligation to restore order. HE should be telling people they must take a number to e served and then he should be calling the numbers in order.
ReplyDeleteThat kind of stuff happens to me all the time and drives me bonkers. Seriously though, what's wrong with the employees there? If you are supposed to take a number why aren't they calling out numbers?
ReplyDeleteWow.. that's pretty boorish. I honestly can't say I've had that happen to me.. at least not that I recall. I don't think I'd be quite so patient after the second one if it did.
ReplyDeleteWow, the deli guy needs to use the number system. And those customers are nasty. Geesh.
ReplyDelete