Shopping Etiquette - Check-out queue

Almost Banned on 03/01/2015 - 22:18

So, went to Woolworths with the wife today.
Only one register open as I was heading to the check-outs and a long line waiting that snaked its way past several other check-outs.
I noticed a staff member about to open a new checkout about mid-way down the queue and headed straight for that register.
The wife stops me and says I have to go to the back of the queue - remember they were all waiting for the one open register.
I said that's silly since everyone else was waiting for the open one but did as she said, thought that was fair enough.
When I got to the end of the queue another check-out opened directly next to me - so I immediately pulled my trolley into that register and started unloading.
The wife thinks I should have let the other suckers in first since they had been waiting - but the check-out was right next to where I was standing, ie the register at the back of the queue!
I said that was silly and just the luck of the draw. She said I don't understand 'shopping etiquette'.
I also pointed out that this wasn't a 'one queue, multiple check-outs' set-up like they have for the express area, and that if Woolies wanted that type of arrangement (which I would applaud) they could set that up. This was a 'queue at your choice of register' type arrangement where you take your chances.
I told her I would ask the Ozbargain community and we would see who was right.
So, what do you think - is my wife correct and I just don't understand 'shopping etiquette'?

Poll Options

  • 293
    1. Its fair game - grab whatever checkout you can
  • 38
    2. I should have waited for those who had queued before me
  • 26
    3. I should call bikies.
General Discussion

Related Stores

Woolworths
Woolworths

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 03/01/2015 - 22:49
    +3

    I want to also vote for bikies option, but "first in best dressed". They're all separate queues

    It's also a risk, because they may not have counted the till, which means you have to wait for them to count the cash.

  • mmd on 03/01/2015 - 22:49
    +7

    Its fair game - grab whatever checkout you can.
    If there's a line of 20 ppl and you're the 20th person, would you tap the shoulder of the person in front of you, to ask the person in front of them if they want to use the newly opened checkout? Sounds odd to me.
    The people waiting in front of you should be aware of what's going on.
    Having said that, if there's a person in front of me with a only a few items, I usually let them know there's a new checkout, if my trolley is full/ or I'm not in a hurry.

    In the event that you are right in this debate with your wife, will u actually win? :p

  • TheAviator on 03/01/2015 - 22:49
    +11

    Don't really have an opinion either way but wish more stores would adopt the "one queue, multiple check-outs" model. More efficient and removes the need for these sorts of discussions :)

    • Davo1111 on 03/01/2015 - 22:50
      +3

      People (incorrectly) feel they queue for less if there are multiple queues.

      It was covered in the checkout last year.

      • bleachy_dude on 04/01/2015 - 00:16

        I didn't see the checkout, but I disagree.

        My local target has the one queue thing. It annoys me so much. So much time wasted walking from waiting area to the checkout while the operator stands there doing nothing waiting for you to arrive. Also more often than not the operator has to call out multiple times to at least a few people ahead of me to get their attention that they are free.

        • PainToad on 05/01/2015 - 16:17
          +10

          This is the problem with single queues, especially at Target. Some air-head bimbo housewife always gets distracted taking Instagram snaps of their ugly offspring doing something completely insignificant…or they're on Tinder/Facebook looking for the next sperm to provide another excuse not to get a job.

        • Archi on 05/01/2015 - 16:31

          and you are in the same queue behind this person. what's your tinder login name?

        • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2015 - 05:34

          @PainToad:

          air-head bimbo housewife always gets distracted taking Instagram snaps of their ugly offspring

          I don't see any reason to call the child as "ugly offspring".

        • PainToad on 06/01/2015 - 11:09

          @ms:
          Sorry. First day back at work = cranky pants. Sorry if I offended anyone.

        • tomleonhart on 06/01/2015 - 13:16
          -4

          @PainToad: I'm sorry but seriously who voted this comment up.

        • PainToad on 06/01/2015 - 13:50
          +2

          @tomleonhart:
          Three people who agree with me.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2015 - 01:31
          +2

          @PainToad: I just like how bitter and angry you are. I find it amusing. Maybe because I'm growing more angry and bitter myself with age :)

          People, huh. They're the worst! :P

        • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2015 - 09:45

          @tomleonhart: PainToad's comment was witty and clever. He/she is observant and sharp. The remarks he/she made are painfully true. Humour, like literature, will go over the heads of anyone who doesn't hold the experience or intelligence to appreciate it.

        • PainToad on 07/01/2015 - 09:52
          +1

          @Wonderman:
          People often call me a modern day Shakespeare*

          *No one has ever said this.

        • muncan on 07/01/2015 - 09:58
          +1

          @PainToad: Some people call me the space cowboy.

        • PainToad on 07/01/2015 - 10:00

          @muncan:
          Add me to that list, Space Cowboy.

        • tomleonhart on 07/01/2015 - 10:21

          @Wonderman: I'll take that comment as an trolling attempt.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2015 - 11:52
          +3

          @tomleonhart: You have unattractive children, don't you?

          (it's okay, I used to be one myself. Never really grew out of it either)

        • tomleonhart on 07/01/2015 - 14:04

          @waterlogged turnip: and I'll take your comment as a second trolling attempt :)

    • KLF23 on 05/01/2015 - 00:21

      The 'one queue' method has its issues as well. I was standing at the front of the the queue waiting to see which would be the next free checkout and a man walked straight past into the checkout area and stood directly behind one of the checkouts that was finishing up. I told him there was a single queue, but he wouldn't listen. He seemed to think that there was no-one standing there so why shouldn't he make his own queue.

      • ProjectZero on 05/01/2015 - 10:18
        +3

        Nope, that's just one of the many douche bags you will encounter in your life.

        I know that the Big W that I go to, they have the one queue system and it works very well. Of course, they have a railing to ensure that it is one queue so that might have something to do with it.

        • KLF23 on 06/01/2015 - 01:49
          +1

          Yeah, there's no railing at that BigW.

          You're right though, he was a douche bag.

    • altomic on 05/01/2015 - 09:33
      +6

      the "one queue, multiple check-outs" model is very egalitarian. I like it.

      • muncan on 05/01/2015 - 10:01
        +3

        A step backwards for survival of the fittest. The slow line people genes will thrive. Oh the humanity!

        • altomic on 05/01/2015 - 12:07

          wasn't it Tennyson who said "shopping queues, red in tooth and claw"

        • muncan on 05/01/2015 - 12:36
          +1

          maybe? (TL;DR)

    • plasmoske on 05/01/2015 - 23:25

      In the Philippines, that's exactly what they do.

      Two queues. One for small baskets and trolleys. Both queues are single line, with multiple counters.

      They even have guys directing you which counter to go to.

      Way more efficient.

      • gimme on 06/01/2015 - 16:52
        +1

        lol I can't believe you mentioned the words Philippines and efficient in the same breath. As someone who's lived there for many years, it's one of the most inefficient cultures/systems I've come across in almost every aspect. It's designed to provide employment to as many people as possible (which is fair enough from a socioeconomic perspective) but everything is painfully slow and ineffective. (e.g up to 4 people at each checkout, one to ring up your items, one to check your card, another one to recheck the work of the 1st card checker and a bagger). Still love the place/people though… anyway I digress.

        • plasmoske on 06/01/2015 - 17:27

          Haha yeah a lot of things in the Philippines are way inefficient but I was referring the queue system not the number of workers at the counter or the workers there.

          I like the queue system, but that's about it.

          About the workers, it kinda makes sense when you think about it because they get so many customers.

          Because with one checkout girl scanning the items, bagging and doing everything would be a major pain in the arse with the job being early morning to late night every day with customers coming in non-stop. It's not like your typical Australian work life.

    • PeterA07 on 06/01/2015 - 15:07
      +3

      In light of some of the issues with the "one queue" method that people have pointed out, I suggest a "third way".

      Set up a large ring-shaped conveyor belt which goes round and round. Instead of queuing, people hop onto the conveyor belt. They wait on the belt until a cash register becomes free. At that point, store staff run and push the closest customer off the belt and toward the cash register. When they have finished with their purchase, a chute should open up under them, dropping them directly into the underground car park.

      In order to make sure that people don't jump off the conveyor belt when it's not their turn, staff should also be equipped with flamethrowers enabling them to blast any of those presumptuous sods.

      It is completely randomised and therefore completely egalitarian.

  • DarthAntz on 03/01/2015 - 22:53
    +7

    Happens at Aldi all the time. Often if i have one or two items Aldi customers will let me go first, knowing i'll be quicker.

    Its always fair game, if you see a register opening, dive on it. Only suckers wait in line

    • he3at on 04/01/2015 - 15:55

      OP doesn't seem to have shopped at Aldi, where registers will open or close every 5 minutes.

  • JR63 on 03/01/2015 - 23:08
    +15

    When I was a supervisor at Woolies, I told the people opening a register to ask the next person in line to start loading up on their register before they open it. Saved me having to listen to complaints.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2015 - 23:42

      This is what generally happens whenever a new register opens anywhere I shop.

      Also had many assistants be more directive and pick out someone half way down the pre-existing queue, and say "come line up at this register now" etc, which is pretty cool.

  • scatman00 on 03/01/2015 - 23:33
    +9

    For me it doesn't matter where i line up, every other queue would have got me out quicker.

    Completely support the 1 line multiple register system! Works out best for everyone, and should be adopted in ALL scenarios!

  • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2015 - 23:39
    +6

    I think it depends on how much shopping you've got, too. I don't think either of you are exactly "wrong" :)

    Jumping to a 'just opening' register ahead of people who have already been waiting in a long queue, when you have a huge trolley-full of stuff, would be a bit douchey. I wouldn't do that personally at all… it would just be inconsiderate.

    Ditto if I had a few items in my hand… but I would stand near the 'just openening' register and make it clear (hand gestures help and a smile) to the others in the first queue that you're waiting for them to line up in the new queue first… and perhaps you would hope that they'd allow you to go first, if they have trolleys full of stuff themselves. BUT I wouldn't expect them to let me in front, nor would I be cranky if they didn't let me in front. I guess I base this on knowing that if I had a trolley full, and was waiting in a long queue, when another register opened - if another shopper just happened to turn up close to that register with a few items (ie. a lot less than I have), then I'd certainly let them jump in front of me.

    Though I am basing this on my local Coles which has no express checkout, so the poor sods with 2 items have to wait behind people with 1253726 items buried in their trolleys. Hence me being used to letting people jump in front of me (though most people don't do this, which i think is pretty slack).

    Play it by ear I reckon. Etiquette is good and kudos to your wife for being considerate of others like that… but sense the situation each time. A lot of people are pretty friendly, if you make eye contact with them you can negotiate without having to worry about upsetting anyone, or potentially feeling like a bastard when you know you've done the whole "every man for himself / fair game" thing. (Or maybe most people don't feel guilty when they do that? I'd feel guilty - and I dare say your wife is similar… is it a female thing to be so hyperconscious of others reactions/feelings like that? Or is that sexist… bah)

    TL;DR? Maybe imagine yourself in the other person's shoes, and act in accordance with that? Would you like others to be considerate of you if they'd known you'd been waiting? Or would you not mind if someone jumped in front like that? So perhaps it's partly subjective… and partly a matter of simply communicating to those people - maybe they'd let you take that register anyway.

    Apply that to anything in life, perhaps. We all walk around like individual pods, avoiding eye contact for the most part, not communicating like a community in even the silliest circumstances. We're so alienated, we end up debating stuff like this which really shouldn't even be an issue when you think about it.

  • AssociatedTal_Shiar @ Woolworths on 03/01/2015 - 23:54

    These days depending on the store, the register operator should of asked the next in line if they were interested in coming over and from there it is fair game for everyone else in my opinion. Shopping etiquette should be focussed more on not blocking people's access from self service with trolleys, not having people with you in self serve that don't need to be there. Probably why there is no company policy on trolleys in self serve registers is that everyone has their own preferences and ideally don't want to force anyone into the register they don't want…

    • Sammy2000 on 04/01/2015 - 00:15

      I am a person who takes my trolley through the self serve. My Coles likes to have only one register open with a queue of people each with a months worth of shopping. I am not going to wait when I can do it myself.

      • zambuck on 04/01/2015 - 07:35
        +2

        I've been to my local Coles first thing in the morning and they won't even have a person on the normal checkouts. I'm not sure if they've got one open and the operator's just off adjusting magazine racks or something, but I find myself in the self-serve area by default.

      • GaryQ on 04/01/2015 - 14:27
        +4

        I've left a load of shopping in the trolley and walked out when told that only the Self Service lanes were available. I don't work for Coles or Woolworths, and my time is worth more than they pay their cashiers.

        I'm also happy to support kids having their first job and I don't care how long it takes for my shopping to be processed by an actual person

        • jdr on 05/01/2015 - 10:58
          +6

          "I don't work for Coles or Woolworths,…."

          That's a fair point, you should have the option of a traditional cashier, not just self-serve.

          But why did you have to add "…… and my time is worth more than they pay their cashiers."? That just makes you sound a bit pompous and self-important.

          And "I'm also happy to support kids having their first job ……." is also good about caring for people having a job.

        • tasty-falafel on 05/01/2015 - 11:53
          -1

          So you won't use self service because your time is worth more than they pay their cashiers, yet you don't care how long it takes a checkout operator to process your groceries? Seems a bit of a contradiction.

        • PainToad on 05/01/2015 - 16:37
          +3

          @GaryQ,
          God I'm sick of dinosaurs being scared of technology. Your 'machines took my jobs' paranoid mentality belongs back in the 70s. Technology creates jobs. Higher skilled jobs. Lets boycott cars, because they take jobs away from horse breeders.

          As for your time being more valuable than the cashiers, such arrogance. Using self check out takes a few minutes of your day. Get over yourself.

          You claim to support the kids? Yet you left all your groceries, which some poor kid would have had to put back. Taking him away from his actual duties, making their day more stressful as they tried to catch up. Do you think Coles or Woolworths gives 2 dams about your little childish hissy fit? The vast majority of the country appreciates the improved efficiency of self checkout, so no. Shop else where, they won't care one bit.

        • arcticmonkey on 05/01/2015 - 19:39
          +1

          I walk out as well when this happens and dump my stuff so a human at least has something to do.

          I don't think it will be long before Coles automates these jobs so they can employ less Australians.

        • muncan on 05/01/2015 - 20:00
          +3

          So that's why my icecream is sometimes not very frozen!

        • bargdebarg on 06/01/2015 - 20:53
          +3

          Gary

          Firstly, I find self service difficult for a trolley and brilliant for a basket.

          Your statement that your time is worth more than using self service and you walk out, leaving a full trolley is logically flawed.

          Let's say to shop and lightly fill a trolley it takes approximately 30 minuets. To check out in person, let's say it takes 8 minutes. In total, 38 minutes.

          Alternatively, to do self service, let's say 18 minutes, perhaps more if you're not good with technology. So a total of 48 minuets.

          By walking out, you lose 30 minuets and you get no groceries. You then have to drive to another store (which might be further away) and spend another 38 minuets shopping.

          How is this a smart use of your time?

    • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2015 - 01:36
      +2

      I always go self-service with my trolley. I'm lightning quick at scanning and packing though.

      But yeah, nothing I hate more than seeing people with trolleys full of stuff AND young children… and they're (always a mother on her own actually) letting the kids scan each item and pack it in the bag, like it's a fun day out or something. Fine if the store is quiet, but I've seen this countless times when the store is packed and queues are long.

      So just imagine how quickly a toddler is at scanning items and packing them in bags with mum looking on adoringly.

      Drives me insane :P

      • AssociatedTal_Shiar @ Woolworths on 04/01/2015 - 01:40
        +1

        nothing wrong with trolleys in self serve I just feel some people could be more thoughtful about where they position the trolley with them as they use self serve

        • Flying Ace on 05/01/2015 - 19:55
          +2

          Pet hare: having a 15 minute break from work, walking 3 minutes each way to Woolworths then having to stand behind muppets who decide that they would like to use the self serve checkouts with their trolley of endless groceries without really knowing how they work and taking an absolute eternity.

        • Flying Ace on 05/01/2015 - 19:56
          +6

          Pet hate. Not hare. I do not stand in line with my cute lepus.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2015 - 01:26
          +2

          @Flying Ace: I was disappointed. Wanted pics of hare :(

      • tebbybabes on 07/01/2015 - 01:31
        +1

        Hmmm, but wouldn't there be multiple self check-outs? Even if the mum and the kids are taking heaps of time, some of the other self-checkouts would be free.

        As I've never seen self-checkouts to be signposted as "Express" or with a maximum number of items, I don't think anyone can complain about someone taking a long time.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2015 - 01:39
          +2

          Yes multiple self check-outs, but the way I see it is: if you know you're going to take longer to scan your items and get through the check out than being served by an employee / served check-out, why hog a self-serve checkout?

          I've noticed that all the people with trolleys spilling over with groceries will line up at the served checkouts. So if you're in a hurry, or only have a few items to purchase yourself, you'd be silly to queue up with those people, right?

          Then you've got the Express checkouts, which at my local stores are often either closed entirely now we have these Self-Serve checkouts… or are open, but with only one person serving, and a single long queue often with (bless them) old people preferring it, which makes sense as they A) often don't buy much stuff and B) wouldn't be too great at self-serve. Issue though, is that they do tend to take ages lol.

          Anyway. Nevermind me. I'm usually cranky when I'm out regardless, so I realise it's pretty much entirely my own issue rather than being something I can seriously blame others for or get angry over lol. I find shopping a mundane task, and crowds annoy the crap out of me (odd for a female, right? /stereotype), so my stress levels rise and all I wanna do is GTFO as quickly as possible and get back home to browse OzBargain again in blissful silence :P

      • ankor on 07/01/2015 - 06:59

        Offer to scan and bag their items for them? ;)

  • lenlynn on 04/01/2015 - 01:02

    The way I see it, it's the same as you looking for the check out with the shortest queue. Nothing wrong with that; just like there's nothing wrong with changing to another check out that's going faster.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2015 - 01:06
    +1

    as an englishman who loves queuing i say you should let those in front go first. however that's only if the queue is small, other wise it'd be like chinese whispers telling everyone else to go first "you go, you were first" "you go you're next" "purple monkey dishwasher"

  • davicta on 04/01/2015 - 01:17
    +18

    I thought it has always been like this in life. I've seen long lines before at airports where people wait for one counter and the staff tells those at back of the line to go to the newly opened counter. Those in the front half end are unlucky and will have to continue waiting some more. Like you say it is the luck of the draw.

    This topic reminds me of this gif: http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/10-23-2014/cs1arB.gif

  • T_double_U on 04/01/2015 - 01:39
    +1

    If i'm in line and a new register has opened i'll look down my line to see if anyone has spotted the new register, If nobody spots it or they look and don't move across after a few seconds i'll quickly make my move. Otherwise the people behind me will jump in before i have a chance.

    I think that is fair in the scheme of things.

  • altomic on 04/01/2015 - 03:19
    +1

    I always look out for the new register which is about to open it and grab it.

    though if the person behind me has 1 or 2 things and I have a reasonably full trolley then I'll let them go ahead of me.

  • Jared17 on 04/01/2015 - 08:37
    -1

    If it's a hot woman in front of you, let her go first and get her no. later. Otherwise I would just got for it. First come first served.

    • Almost Banned on 04/01/2015 - 10:17

      Remember I was with my wife.
      ;-)

      • altomic on 04/01/2015 - 12:00
        +1

        Sharing is caring.

    • pmupsinep on 04/01/2015 - 22:37
      +1

      Get her number? What planet do you guys live on.. She won't care one bit if some creep let's her jump in front…

  • nexus4 on 04/01/2015 - 09:38
    +1

    There's no hard and fast rule, it's really entirely context dependant.

    If you're buying one pack of gum and everyone else has trolleys, it's fair game. Go for the newly opened register and don't look back.

    If your trolley is piled high and the person in front of you has just a few items then it would be rude to not allow them to go first.

    Basically just use common sense and put yourself in other's shoes to determine what's the right action to take.

    • sa-ozzie on 06/01/2015 - 08:44

      I agree with nexus..i would head to the next counter and let someone in front of me go first if they have a few items

  • PVA on 04/01/2015 - 12:04
    +6

    the wife is always right.

  • SlickMick on 04/01/2015 - 12:46
    +1

    I've seen the person about to open the new register go to the next in line and say "come this way please". Seems like the best approach to me. Here's how I see it playing out:
    If anyone tried to beat the invited 1st-in-line, they should be reminded (embarrassed) of their lack of consideration for those ahead of them.
    Basically every 2nd person in the original queue should join the new queue, so everybody keeps their relative position but gets serviced in 1/2 the time.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2015 - 19:44

      Your last statement is almost as fair as a "one queue multiple counters situation". It depends on the speed of the counter staff though. One queue multiple counters service the same number of people quicker (maybe not twice as fast) with the end result of the last two in line checking out not very far apart. This might not happen if one of the staff was new/slower/faster. Thought your idea was very interesting though!

  • Mad Max on 04/01/2015 - 15:37
    +3

    As PVA said "the wife is always right" so I would leave her at the back of the long queue and go out and get a coffee while I wait for her.
    If I was on my own on the other hand I would go quick smart to the new checkout before anyone else wakes up to it ;-)

  • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2015 - 19:39
    +1

    I usually wait coiled like a spring for the first person to make his move to the newly opened register. This allows me to take advantage of "diffused responsibility" if the line generally feels this is unacceptable. While doing this I am mindful of personal space and be careful to avoid barging across or shouldering pass people.

    Usually results in me being 3rd or 4th in this new line. Minimal social penalty for this. (the further back you are in this new line the less ugly stares you attract too).

    If nobody makes a move, the line consensus is that one line-multiple counters. This is unlikely as most of the time there is at least one brave individual (I salute you OP) who will start a new line for me.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2015 - 20:39
    -5

    I will just dive into the new register. People in front who are either not alert or too polite only have themselves to blame or maybe they enjoy the queue.
    I remember last year in china, I literally had to hold my son up the counter at McDonald's to order. If you try to be polite and exercise your"shopping etiquette " in those places, you won't have a chance to buy anything. Of course we are not in china, people here are being too civilised.
    With this shopping etiquette thing you are right but everything else you should always listen to your wife.

  • BartholemewH on 04/01/2015 - 21:52
    -8

    I wouldn't know what to do as there are no queues in my office. Shopping is women's business.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2015 - 11:02
    +1

    does anyone elses self service machines not give out 50c coins for change, or is my local Coles a 50c coin hoarder? every single time i get smaller denominations and it drives me crazy to the point that i'd rather queue up longer at the normal checkout

    • tumsum on 05/01/2015 - 14:54

      I think 50 cents are more expensive to order. also, 50 cents would require more equipment and space inside the machine. So i guess it's sensible to have 5's, 10's, 20's, $1 and $2 coin hoppers.
      The 50 cents collected from machines are used in traditional registers.

      i think in regards of the small coins change, since alot of people try to get rid of their small change like 5 cent coins, the machine would have to try and get rid of them first before giving larger coins. e.g. two 5 cent coins instead of 10 cents.

      • theone4Abargain83 on 05/01/2015 - 19:35

        Due to the dimensions of a 50c Australian coin, these devices are not able to dispense these as change. I asked the NCR rep about this and explains this formality. It is like the triangle/circle dilemma.

        On the other hand, if 1966 50c (which were round, and got easily confused with 20c) coins continued to be circulated there may have been a chance we'd see them in most vending type machines
        .

  • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2015 - 13:22
    +3

    What is this, 1980s Soviet Union where everyone has to stand in a long line.

    Grab the Manager and give him/her a damn good slapping, WHY AREN'T MORE CHECKOUTS OPEN ???

    Coles Woolies IS NOT ALDI.

    SLAP the manager and demand better service.

  • andyken on 05/01/2015 - 16:02
    +1

    i think its time to let your wife go

  • brilliantthings on 05/01/2015 - 20:52

    Why were you at the supermarket with your wife?

  • TRENT86 on 05/01/2015 - 21:19
    +2

    No such thing as service once self serve checkouts came in.

  • ZeroSix on 06/01/2015 - 08:33
    +1

    Ideally the checkout operator should have grabbed the next person waiting in line and taken them to the new register.

  • Kaz0551 on 06/01/2015 - 10:03
    +5

    Slightly different scenario and my pet hate, self checkout!

    People queue despite there being available registers. If you cannot use your eyes and want to wait until a staff member says "Next!" then goto a manned register.

    I just say excuse me, walk around them and go to available register. I don't look back for fear of scowling eyes. It's not my fault they're blind.

    • PainToad on 06/01/2015 - 10:37

      My hero!

  • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2015 - 13:04
    -1

    I don't believe in this jungle anymore!
    Gotta love your excuses in comments,
    So everyone thinks who is stronger and not blind! should get what they CAN?
    Then all the wolves own birds nests And lose theirs to crocodiles?
    Eat eachother people (voters) this is not my world anymore
    And full respect to the wife one of few human beings left, kudos!

    • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2015 - 13:27

      they're only queuing up for grocery shopping, calm down

    • PainToad on 06/01/2015 - 13:40
      +2

      If you're referring to the self checkout line, I'd say the rude/selfish person is the idiot daydreaming and not being ready when a machine opens up. Expecting the whole world to wait and revolve around them.

  • rompastompa on 06/01/2015 - 16:58
    +1

    I would usually allow one shopper who was in front previously. It's like merging.

  • bargdebarg on 06/01/2015 - 21:03
    +1

    This thread reminds me of the interesting queuing which occurs at Hungry Jacks. There is no single queue, it's technically a multiple queue system, but as operators come and go, in my experience, people tend to use a single queue system. However, every now and again, someone uses multiple queuing when a single queuing system has formed, pissing of those in the queue. Or, stores fluctuate between single / multiple queuing freely. Anyone else seen this occur?

  • umoddbro on 06/01/2015 - 22:20

    Lol 'shopping etiquette', ain't nobody got time for that!

  • adamren on 07/01/2015 - 00:08
    1. Fair game. Just as long as it's not in haste and no contact is made. Priority given to those closests to aisle if they make some move, and usually always priority for those with least items as long as they're not getting extras like phone credit etc stuff that takes longer.
  • menma on 07/01/2015 - 09:23

    i was at KFC the other day and there was one line which was snaking out the door w/ 2 registers, wouldn't it be smarter if there was 2 lines at both registers? who makes up these rules!?

  • onlyletters on 07/01/2015 - 12:50

    dog eat dog world, first in first served.

    • umoddbro on 08/01/2015 - 00:29

      Amen to that.

  • califrag on 07/01/2015 - 18:19

    I agree with you OP but have likewise been told otherwise by my Wife and other female disgruntlese.

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