Why Can't People Stand in Line Like Civilized Humans? (vacation, job)

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by jennserg

Funny! I moved from L.A. to Houston, TX eight years ago. One of the first things I remember is how friendly Texans were at the grocery store, compared to the folks in CA.

We Californios are going to kick your axx next time we catch you in a supermarket checkout line.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by ITChick

Similar situation happened to me at a Walmart in my area. The Husband/Father kept looking at me and the others in line with a smile on his face like he got away with something. I politely told him this is a "15 items or less line" (and I think he had about 100 items as his cart was overflowing). His reply to me, in front of his children was a non stop barrage of swear words.

I vowed to never go in the 15 items or less line again or to mention it to anyone who wants to break that rule.

You shouldn't limit yourself because of some fool.

The cashier should have promptly instructed that person he was in the wrong line and called a few baggers to help move him along. Personally, I would have had him escorted out of the store for swearing at someone, especially a man to a female.

I've had the same thing happen to me though when I've commented to people about their blatent littering or flicking cigarette butts onto the sidewalk.

[Mary Mac]

Some people were "fetched up" in other countries where lining up is unknown. Just like the folks who come here and say "what are all those lines on the street. . .it's so confusing! Customs, manners, what is considered common courtesy by one culture is considered rude in another. Many people in foreign countries consider Americans rude.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Mary Mac

Some people were "fetched up" in other countries where lining up is unknown. Just like the folks who come here and say "what are all those lines on the street. . .it's so confusing! Customs, manners, what is considered common courtesy by one culture is considered rude in another. Many people in foreign countries consider Americans rude.

people should learn the customs of the country in which they choose to live.

at any rate, this thread reminds me of an exchange i heard in the check-out line at whole foods a few weeks ago. a british woman was trying to pay with a debit card, issued by her bank back home. after the transaction failed three times, the cashier inspected the card, and apologized that the store was unable to process "foreign debit cards," but told her a credit card would be acceptable if she had one. he then immeditately flushed, and stammered, "uh...i mean international cards...i...uh... shouldn't have said 'foreign'. it isn't foreign." since when did "foreign" become a bad word? furthermore, if the card had been "international," would that not have implied that merchants outside of the UK would accept it? i was tempted to point this out to him, but thought better of it, considering that i was in whole foods, so chances were great that there was some p-c nonsense going on that i didn't understand.

[Lovehound]

You're right Kate. If a debit card isn't accepted in the US then it isn't an international card. It's a foreign card.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by greggd

You shouldn't limit yourself because of some fool.

The cashier should have promptly instructed that person he was in the wrong line and called a few baggers to help move him along. Personally, I would have had him escorted out of the store for swearing at someone, especially a man to a female.

I'd like to think that someone at Walmart cared about what this jerk did, but unfortunately the Cashier witnessed the whole thing and chose to ignore it. I am thankful that all he did was swear at me as I've heard stories of fights breaking out between Walmart customers in the parking lot from conflicts that started in the stores.

I've had the same thing happen to me though when I've commented to people about their blatent littering or flicking cigarette butts onto the sidewalk.

I have to restrain myself from even giving a dirty look to anyone who litters because I prefer to not endure any physical harm. Some people seem to get very irrational to the point of violent at times, and they don't seem to need much of a reason these days.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by greggd

I've had the same thing happen to me though when I've commented to people about their blatent littering or flicking cigarette butts onto the sidewalk.

Originally Posted by ITChick

I have to restrain myself from even giving a dirty look to anyone who litters because I prefer to not endure any physical harm. Some people seem to get very irrational to the point of violent at times, and they don't seem to need much of a reason these days.

This brings to mind an event over the weekend where a a group of people came out of a bar and a man was urinating on the front of the building. A man in the group criticized him. Evidently words were said. The man who was urinating jumped in his car and followed the man who complained, and then ran him down with his car, did a U turn and ran him down again and killed him.

It's not always a good idea to speak up. Some people are violent, some on drugs like meth, some both. You never know.

[cre8]

Originally Posted by ITChick

I'd like to think that someone at Walmart cared about what this jerk did, but unfortunately the Cashier witnessed the whole thing and chose to ignore it. I am thankful that all he did was swear at me as I've heard stories of fights breaking out between Walmart customers in the parking lot from conflicts that started in the stores.

I'll second Lovehound and say: some people are crazy and it's probably not worth it to engage them over the idiotic things they do. As to the cashier, we can only imagine the sh1t s/he sees on an hourly basis from behind the checkout counter by the register. The cashier is probably numb to rude behavior, or more importantly, considers anything short of an armed robbery a minor affair not worth getting exited about. Were I a cashier, my attitude would be to let the jerk pay and move along as quickly as possible. Rest assured there'll be plenty more like him/her before the shift is out. And I sure as heck would NOT get involved with incursions between customers. Let 'em take it to the parking lot....

[Lovehound]

I meant to ask my favorite grocery clerk Marianne today what she thought about the 10 item thing and people who ignore it, and the store policy (Ralphs), and I'll try to remember to ask her in the next few days.

[katenik]

while we're on the subject of check-out lines, does anyone have thoughts the automated check-out system that is appearing in some stores? i used it at ralph's when i had only a handful of items, and it sure beats being the 12th person in the express line. you can even sell yourself alcohol, which i didn't expect to be able to do.