Queue Jumping

It is probably something of a known fact worldwide that queuing is one of the British national past-times. No matter where you go, or what you do, the chances are that you're going to have to endure a queue at some point. And, of course, the usual round of bitching, complaining and gossip that goes on in such lines. In one of the 'Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' books, a character is named Fenchurch. Why? I hear you ask. Because she was conceived in the ticket queue at Fenchurch Street Train Station. It's amazing what people will do to pass the time in these things. Anyway, it is perhaps also unsurprising that a general queue etiquette has formed at the same time - and this mainly focuses around the major point of queues in that 'everyone has to wait their turn' and there will be hell on if someone jumps in the queue ahead of you. Of course, everyone is tempted by this at some point or other - it's the law of the universe that if there are two queues, the moment you join one, then the other two will start going quicker. Move into one of those and the same thing happens again and again. I speak from knowledge believe me.

Well, over here things are much the same to a degree - at least in terms of the queuing (although there is CONSIDERABLY more bitching and complaining than in the UK. At least in my experiences here). The only difference is that a large number of people just don't seem to GET what a queue is for and will happily just wander in at any old point they want. This not only applies to pedestrian queues, but also traffic queues where anyone with a large truck will just shove his way in 'cause he's so damned sure that no-one is going to mess with him (unless, of course, its someone bigger. Or perhaps with a firearm in the cab). Take, for example, the other day when I was in the queue at a Subway (in the canteen) when a rather arrogant young doctor left the queue (after telling his friend he was getting something else for lunch instead) and then proceeded to spend about five minutes wandering around the place only to return and state his intention to rejoin the queue. His friend (bless her) noted how big the line had got in his absence and suggested they go to the back whereupon he said 'You were saving my place. And besides, i'm a doctor so i'm allowed to cut in line in the hospital canteen' Suffice to say he got a very withering look from me (just behind him) and then ended up going somewhere else anyway. I like to think it's cause of my expression, but i think he was just an impatient fool. Now all this may seem petty (and i guess it is to some degree) but I guess being British, the whole queuing thing is just part of my sociological make-up whether i like it or not.