Love it when people cut in line… (expat complaining)

Posted on 25. Nov, 2008 by Brandon in Indonesia, Rantings and Ramblings

Indonesian friends, how often have you seen this scene played out? This happened to me last night, but seems to be a weekly occurrence.

Last night I walk into Indomart (equivalent to 7-11) to buy a box of bottled water. The lady in front of me was taking her time adding items to her checkout, one by one from all corners of the store. I patiently waited over 5 minutes. Soon there were six other customers lined up behind me, all assuming a convenience store means just that.

A 40-something Indonesian lady walks in front of all of us, puts her items on the counter and waits for the checkout woman. I’m wondering, ‘Is she really expecting to cut in line like that?’, but somehow believing the best in humanity knowing she wouldn’t dare.

She turns around, sees the 7 people lined up behind her, and realizing that she cut in front of all of us, asks the cashier, “Antri, ya?” (I have to wait in a line, right?)

The cashier smiles politely, “Yes, you need to wait in the back of the line, ma’am.”

She looks at me, my patience waning, and I look her directly in the eye, with a firm smile, “Ya, harus antri, bu” (Yes, you need to wait, ma’am).

Another cashier approaches the checkout, unaware of the tense drama unfolding, “Who’s next?”

In my disbelief I see the woman boldly push her items forward, “Me!”.

I walked out.

Posted by email from javajive’s posterous

Retsa

Next time, you could scold this kind of person loudly. that's what my husband did, when queuieng in front of the xRay Machine in Jkt Airport. Basically, the person's face got red of humiliation, but at least he retreated to the end of the queue.

avianto

Why am I not surprised? Wedding is another place where you could find this habit, cut in line for food.

Not being stereotyping but the usual suspect is female, 40-something, middle to upper class and sometime wears a horrible costume and make up.

Finally Woken

I'm amazed you're still that patience. If it was me the second she cut my line I'd tell her firmly to take the line. And if she said she was next I would contest that and said that the person behind me was the the next one, and not that horrible lady.

Once in Plaza Indonesia the middle age lady (you know the type with the high hair, capri pants and Birkin bag lookalike) tried to cut the queue in the toilet. I told her it was my turn and she dared to say that her grand daughter really had to go. I told her I also had to go, and everybody had to go too, and she had to take the line. She looked at me in disbelief like I was the cruel one.

jaka

Brandon, dont feel like you are someone else. Do like any civilized person do. Because I know for sure that is a kind of tolerance that Indonesian should avoid. Sometimes Indonesian just dont know where to put tolerance.

BARRY

Here in Chicago I can still find the same scenario. A place known as Chinatown. Patiently waiting in line when suddenly a lady cut in line right in front of me. Did I let that happen? Hell, no. I told her to get in line just like everyone else. You can't cut in line just because you can speak the same language with the cashier. This is America ma'am!