Queuing.
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,915
Re: Queuing.
The whole "Quien es la ultima" thing does my head in. We have noticed, though, that Spanish people seem quite capable of queuing in the accepted sense of the word, ie in a line, when there is something being given away for free, though - I wonder why that is?
As for bus queues, the worst offenders for pushing in are the Germans, if allowed to get away with it - if my OH is with me he is very rude about them, very loudly!
In general I find the Spanish really nice, but why is it that they don't seem to have any sense of space, in that they like to walk 3 or 4 abreast or stand about in groups chatting on the pavement (or in the middle of the supermarket), oblivious of the fact that no-one else can get past?
As for bus queues, the worst offenders for pushing in are the Germans, if allowed to get away with it - if my OH is with me he is very rude about them, very loudly!
In general I find the Spanish really nice, but why is it that they don't seem to have any sense of space, in that they like to walk 3 or 4 abreast or stand about in groups chatting on the pavement (or in the middle of the supermarket), oblivious of the fact that no-one else can get past?
#21
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Queuing.
In general I find the Spanish really nice, but why is it that they don't seem to have any sense of space, in that they like to walk 3 or 4 abreast or stand about in groups chatting on the pavement (or in the middle of the supermarket), oblivious of the fact that no-one else can get past?
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Brussels
Posts: 887
Re: Queuing.
For queing disciplinedly , Belgians ( a very ageing population ) are among the world's worst , least civilsed and selfishly ruthless - I prefer Zulus to them in that respect . If they can they'll cut in unfairly , wherever : parking spots , trains , trams , post offices , shops...!
Most better supermarkets now have self-scanner hand-held apparatus ( but the old people don't grasp that system ) , so , for me : no need to queue behind some fuddy-daddies who forget to put their goods on a moving belt , then they get reminded to do it ( slow motion ) , then observe hawkishly how every price is input , then the stuff gets packed into bags and then ?
Oh , what a nasty surprise ! someone is expected to pay , even !
That's when the search starts all over the punter's body , with females : rummaging and digging throght their bags forever ;
eventually , a wallet or purse gets produced , so then the inspection starts ...aargh , not the right money ? O.K. we can negotiate ways and means around this , a bank card , a cash-back , whatever ; and they just love to talk for as long as poss. , as the shopping is more about social intercourse , than about gathering the stuff ! it can and does often take forever and I can doze off there...knowing full well that in that time I could have had my breakfast and driven half way into Germany or France or to Knokke on our north-Atlantic coast .
Most better supermarkets now have self-scanner hand-held apparatus ( but the old people don't grasp that system ) , so , for me : no need to queue behind some fuddy-daddies who forget to put their goods on a moving belt , then they get reminded to do it ( slow motion ) , then observe hawkishly how every price is input , then the stuff gets packed into bags and then ?
Oh , what a nasty surprise ! someone is expected to pay , even !
That's when the search starts all over the punter's body , with females : rummaging and digging throght their bags forever ;
eventually , a wallet or purse gets produced , so then the inspection starts ...aargh , not the right money ? O.K. we can negotiate ways and means around this , a bank card , a cash-back , whatever ; and they just love to talk for as long as poss. , as the shopping is more about social intercourse , than about gathering the stuff ! it can and does often take forever and I can doze off there...knowing full well that in that time I could have had my breakfast and driven half way into Germany or France or to Knokke on our north-Atlantic coast .
Last edited by Ray51; Jul 24th 2011 at 4:42 pm.
#23
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Queuing.
For queing disciplinedly , Belgians ( a very ageing population ) are among the world's worst , least civilsed and selfishly ruthless - I prefer Zulus to them in that respect . If they can they'll cut in unfairly , wherever : parking spots , trains , trams , post offices , shops...!
Most better supermarkets now have self-scanner hand-held apparatus ( but the old people don't grasp that system ) , so , for me : no need to queue behind some fuddy-daddies who forget to put their goods on a moving belt , then they get reminded to do it ( slow motion ) , then observe hawkishly how every price is input , then the stuff gets packed into bags and then ?
Oh , what a nasty surprise ! someone is expected to pay , even !
That's when the search starts all over the punter's body , with females : rummaging and digging throght their bags forever ;
eventually , a wallet or purse gets produced , so then the inspection starts ...aargh , not the right money ? O.K. we can negotiate ways and means around this , a bank card , a cash-back , whatever ; and they just love to talk for as long as poss. , as the shopping is more about social intercourse , than about gathering the stuff ! it can and does often take forever and I can doze off there...knowing full well that in that time I could have had my breakfast and driven half way into Germany or France or to Knokke on our north-Atlantic coast .
Most better supermarkets now have self-scanner hand-held apparatus ( but the old people don't grasp that system ) , so , for me : no need to queue behind some fuddy-daddies who forget to put their goods on a moving belt , then they get reminded to do it ( slow motion ) , then observe hawkishly how every price is input , then the stuff gets packed into bags and then ?
Oh , what a nasty surprise ! someone is expected to pay , even !
That's when the search starts all over the punter's body , with females : rummaging and digging throght their bags forever ;
eventually , a wallet or purse gets produced , so then the inspection starts ...aargh , not the right money ? O.K. we can negotiate ways and means around this , a bank card , a cash-back , whatever ; and they just love to talk for as long as poss. , as the shopping is more about social intercourse , than about gathering the stuff ! it can and does often take forever and I can doze off there...knowing full well that in that time I could have had my breakfast and driven half way into Germany or France or to Knokke on our north-Atlantic coast .
I watch the ones like you say, for whom it comes as a shock to realise that yes, you do need to pay, you do need to put your things in your bag, you do need to engage brain.....
#24
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Queuing.
The whole "Quien es la ultima" thing does my head in. We have noticed, though, that Spanish people seem quite capable of queuing in the accepted sense of the word, ie in a line, when there is something being given away for free, though - I wonder why that is?
As for bus queues, the worst offenders for pushing in are the Germans, if allowed to get away with it - if my OH is with me he is very rude about them, very loudly!
In general I find the Spanish really nice, but why is it that they don't seem to have any sense of space, in that they like to walk 3 or 4 abreast or stand about in groups chatting on the pavement (or in the middle of the supermarket), oblivious of the fact that no-one else can get past?
As for bus queues, the worst offenders for pushing in are the Germans, if allowed to get away with it - if my OH is with me he is very rude about them, very loudly!
In general I find the Spanish really nice, but why is it that they don't seem to have any sense of space, in that they like to walk 3 or 4 abreast or stand about in groups chatting on the pavement (or in the middle of the supermarket), oblivious of the fact that no-one else can get past?
No Problemo - I just push through saying "'Scusi" loudly
works every time, the OH normally walks the regulation 3 paces behind me to get the maximum benefit
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Brussels
Posts: 887
Re: Queuing.
Maybe , but when I get to any of my local supermarkets , at 8-8.30 in the morning and over 3 lousy items ( 1 fresh crispy croissant , some orange juice and a bit of skimmed milk ) , if I have forgotten the self-scanner then I have to waste half-an-hour , I don't find that funny ; too many people are just too unspeakably difficult , act as if they just arrived from Mars or generally don't give a damn about anyone else's time and space .
( Doesn't happen in Germany or north Switzerland or Austria , but there they don't sell a great croissant and good fresh orange juice with pulp in it ! Doesn't happen in Waitrose or M & S either , except that the pastries there are heavy thick rubbish , don't know about the OJ ! )
( Doesn't happen in Germany or north Switzerland or Austria , but there they don't sell a great croissant and good fresh orange juice with pulp in it ! Doesn't happen in Waitrose or M & S either , except that the pastries there are heavy thick rubbish , don't know about the OJ ! )
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: london/gandia
Posts: 1,163
Re: Queuing.
Maybe , but when I get to any of my local supermarkets , at 8-8.30 in the morning and over 3 lousy items ( 1 fresh crispy croissant , some orange juice and a bit of skimmed milk ) , if I have forgotten the self-scanner then I have to waste half-an-hour , I don't find that funny ; too many people are just too unspeakably difficult , act as if they just arrived from Mars or generally don't give a damn about anyone else's time and space .
( Doesn't happen in Germany or north Switzerland or Austria , but there they don't sell a great croissant and good fresh orange juice with pulp in it ! Doesn't happen in Waitrose or M & S either , except that the pastries there are heavy thick rubbish , don't know about the OJ ! )
( Doesn't happen in Germany or north Switzerland or Austria , but there they don't sell a great croissant and good fresh orange juice with pulp in it ! Doesn't happen in Waitrose or M & S either , except that the pastries there are heavy thick rubbish , don't know about the OJ ! )
Regards
jonboy
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: Queuing.
I could just see you trying that on in some of the less desirable areas of London! You'd be brown bread, man!
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,915
Re: Queuing.
And when you do finally make it to the front of the supermarket queue, the cashier dashes off to kiss and coo over somebody's baby - that's the signal to light blue touchpaper and retire as far as my OH is concerned!
#29
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Queuing.
I know, have considered walking off and leaving it all on the conveyor, but I wouldn't be there if I didn't want the damned stuff.
#30
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: Queuing.
I once left mine on the belt in Supersol. Only one till open as a quiet time. 2 people in front of me. When it got to me she said "till closed" The other member of staff had decided to open another till while she went off for a break. I asked why she didn't tell me she was going to close but just got a shrug. So I left it. I then had to go to another shop and waste some more time, but it did make me feel better