"You get in line..."

[MonkeyFunk]

The "saving seats" thread reminded of something that bugs me even more.

For most of my life, I have gone grocery shopping by myself. It just irks me to no end to get to the register and find that the person in front of me is waiting in line while his accomplice is off finishing the shopping.

It's not like they get to the register and go "Oh shit - honey you forgot the eggs" and he runs off to get 'em. It's planned - "Ok you get in line and I'll finish up the 12 items left on the list."

My boyfriend has said to me sometimes when we're shopping "you get in line" and I just won't do it, cuz I know how it pisses me off when others do.

Similarly, I used to get irked when I'd go to like a bagel shop or sandwich shop. I'd walk in - alone - and see if there was a table available. But I'd have to go wait in line and place my order before I could claim it. Then a couple would walk in after me and one would grab the table while the other went to place the order. "Ooh, I'll grab that table. Get me a poppyseed with cream cheese and a small coffee". That used to bug me, but I have no qualms about doing it when I'm out with others. Weird, huh?

[Maddy McCall]

1. Standing in line for 45 minutes at the theater--someone in line in front of you is "holding place"

for the 12 tards that just jumped out of the church van, and they all run in front of you and get in line with the person holding "their place."

:grr:

[terrya]

2. What you describe pisses me off to no end.

I shop at the Dominick's down the street, which is always crowded on afternoons/early evenings. Especially so on weekends.

There's always a line at the register. And I've seen exactly what you've described...a couple will be in front of me, and one of them will go off and continue to shop. When you get in line, you are FINISHED with your shopping. And if you're not, you have no business being in line. I get less and less patient standing in lines nowadays and maybe I should learn more patience. But there should be a common, basic set of manners when at the grocery store or the restaurant or the Starbucks or wherever.

[Chan790]

3. Bagel/Sandwich shop...

that irks the shit out of me. I found a solution...I bring something (valueless: a book, magazine, an empty backpack) walk over and set it on the table to mark the table as mine...then get in line.

I know what you mean about the line-savers...I work in retail. I tell them that if they're not ready (when they get to the register) that "I'm sorry...you'll have to go to the back of the line." I then refuse them service until compliant. It works well...I think word is getting around because nobody does it anymore when I'm working.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. yeah

but I'm always afraid some schmuck wil say "ooh look, there's a table! And it comes with a free magazine!"

[bluesbassman]

5. This is all indicative of the "I'm the center of the universe" attitude

that has become so pervasive in this country.

My pet peeve is the Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon (insert favorite race car driver here) type who, after weaving over four lanes, wants to squeeze into the exit ramp with about ten yards left before the lane runs out.