Common courtesy question...

[AmyinPA]

When you are shopping and standing in a really long line and you are next in line, if the register next door opens and the cashier says "next", are you the one that should get to move over to the open cashier.

If I'm in the back of the line, I give the person in front of me (the person waiting the longest) the option of moving over to the open lane. Is this common courtesy and expected shopping game rules.

Tonight while shopping I was totally ticked when another shopper moved over to the newly opened lane without even giving me the option. :cursing:

[GailV]

Yes, I always assume they mean the next person waiting to check out, just as if we were all in a long queue waiting for the next open teller or cashier or whatever.

At Trader Joe's the cashier grabs the cart of the next person so there's no question as to who is really next.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Tonight while shopping I was totally ticked when another shopper moved over to the newly opened lane without even giving me the option. :cursing:

Oh, well, I never move because invariably someone will cut in front of me and make my blood pressure go up.

If it bothered me, I would speak up and say, "Excuse me, I think I'm next" and smile sweetly and see if she budged. :D

[True Blue]

Yes, I will even make sure the person knows they are next. I don't expect others to automatically follow this courtesy rule though. It's nice but people aren't always courteous, they may not know this rule, or they might not be paying attention at the time.

[Jenny in Atl]

When you are shopping and standing in a really long line and you are next in line, if the register next door opens and the cashier says "next", are you the one that should get to move over to the open cashier.

If I'm in the back of the line, I give the person in front of me (the person waiting the longest) the option of moving over to the open lane. Is this common courtesy and expected shopping game rules.

Tonight while shopping I was totally ticked when another shopper moved over to the newly opened lane without even giving me the option. :cursing:

This is one of my biggest pet-peeves! It's right up there with rude drivers. You wonder why the cashier doesn't say something. They always look at you and give that sorry smile. :glare:

[elbac]

I really think it's a "regional thing." Personally, I will always offer the person in front of me - who has been standing in line longer (duh!) - the option to go first. Where we lived previously, that was really pretty standard. Where we live now? Not. lol There could be 10 people standing in line, and that last person to walk up will quickly go to the newly opened line without so much as a moment's hesitation.

However, I do hold the people working in the stores partially responsible. As they don't say that they will "help the NEXT person in line." They will simply say they can help "someone, over here."

What is common courtesy to some, is most definitely not to others.

[CookieMonster]

Really? :confused:

Maybe it's where you're from, but everyone I know assumes it's the last people in line being offered the option not to have to wait for everyone in front of them to go through.

And besides, it would get weird (to me) to have people in the middle of the line cutting out to go across somewhere else. It seems (to me) to make more logistical sense to have the line come apart from the end down.

Wow. Now I'll have to be sure and watch for body language when such a thing is offered. I am almost never in such a hurry as to care. I expect to have to wait in a line at the checkout, so I'll let someone who thinks they ought to go have the spot instead of me.

[LaMere Academy]

When you are shopping and standing in a really long line and you are next in line, if the register next door opens and the cashier says "next", are you the one that should get to move over to the open cashier.

If I'm in the back of the line, I give the person in front of me (the person waiting the longest) the option of moving over to the open lane. Is this common courtesy and expected shopping game rules.

Tonight while shopping I was totally ticked when another shopper moved over to the newly opened lane without even giving me the option. :cursing:

This has happened to me before too and I was thoroughly ticked as well.

[ustasmom]

Well, often times the cashier will specifically look at you and instruct you to come over. If they aren't that specific, I take a deep breath because I'm not racing anyone to the checkout.

[Pegasus]

Wow. It really depends on the situation. When it is an open area and folks can easily switch from one line to another (say like in front of a McDonald's counter), I certainly wait for the folks already in front of me to take a newly opened register. However, in some grocery stores that essentially "channel" you into the register area, it would be extremely awkward for everyone to back up and allow the next person in line to back out and move to the new register.

Also, what if you are just walking up and see a register about to open. Would you really go get in the long line at the busy register because it is "fair" that you wait or just walk up to the register about to open and consider yourself lucky?

I'm most annoyed when I wait in a long line and they close the register right in front of me. I've gone so far as to set my items down right there and walk out.

Pegasus

[Plaid Dad]

I give people in front of me the option to move over first, but they often just tell me to go ahead, especially if they've already begun unloading their cart. I never really thought about the process though.

[elegantlion]

That's one of my pet peeves as well. Inevitably another line never opens until I have already unloaded all of my stuff on the conveyor. I did recently load it all back up and move to another line, I was so frustrated.

I worked as a cashier for several years and I always made a point of asking for "the next in line." It should be common courtesy IMO.

[Doran]

Maybe it's where you're from, but everyone I know assumes it's the last people in line being offered the option not to have to wait for everyone in front of them to go through.



I'll never wish to live over the rainbow again!!! :001_huh: :lol:

[Doran]

And, if someone whom I thought shouldn't be going next stepped up to take what I presumed was my rightful place in line, you can bet your sweet bippy I'd be saying, "I'm sorry, but I believe I was next." My smile might not be quite as sweet as Pam's. :001_unsure:

[nestof3]

I will alert the person in front of me that the cashier is taking the next in line.

Often, this only gives some person farther back in the line more time to jump over there, but I still do it because it's the right thing to do. Doing the right thing is far more important to me than getting through the line faster.

[DIY-DY]

When you are shopping and standing in a really long line and you are next in line, if the register next door opens and the cashier says "next", are you the one that should get to move over to the open cashier.

If I'm in the back of the line, I give the person in front of me (the person waiting the longest) the option of moving over to the open lane. Is this common courtesy and expected shopping game rules.

Tonight while shopping I was totally ticked when another shopper moved over to the newly opened lane without even giving me the option. :cursing:

Personally, I think the person who has been in line the longest should get first choice to move over. However, I try to stay alert to situations that might dictate otherwise. If I'm that person (the one w/ "dibs" on the next open register), I'll look and see if anyone else has significantly fewer items than I do (someone usually does! lol!) and offer to let them go first. If I'm that lucky next person, but there's someone behind me with children who are *done* shopping and on the verge of a nuclear meltdown (and mine are only simmering lightly, but can hang), I'll offer my spot to them, as well.

Now, if I'm the person with the pending nuclear disaster, but I'm not the one who should be going, I try to mentally WILL that person to glance my way, take pity, and offer me the slot. Please-please-oh-please let me go next! (Where's the Puss-in-Boots from Shrek icon???) But if they don't, I try not to pout about it. I know not everybody lives by the same rules of engagement that I do. Keeps my blood pressure down.

I use the same blood-pressure-lowering approach to using my turn signal in traffic, too. I don't ever try to turn on my blinker and shift lanes, as-is. The car that's behind me in the new lane *will* speed up the second I turn on my blinker. It *will* happen, and it does not seem to matter if the driver actually has to floor the accelerator to make sure he/she gets ahead of me before I get into that lane! So, I determine which car I'd like to slip in *behind*, then turn on my signal (alerting the driver of said car to hurry up and pass me, LOL!), then I slip over into my new lane just after that person has passed me. That's made my city driving infinitely easier. And it makes me chuckle to see how predictable people are.

On the flip side, since I make a point of waving someone over when I see their blinker is on, I do get a look at the driver when I'm the lane-changer, on the off chance that the Other Guy just might do the same for me sometime. Doesn't happen often, but what a pleasant surprise when it does!

In general, I don't think many people still think of "common courtesy" unless they think they've been shafted from the receiving end of it. My hope is that by living the principle almost to an extreme, perhaps it'll start to spread out. Contagion could be used for good, right? And one day, when it would be particularly appreciated, perhaps someone who got to go ahead may one day see me in line with a stinky baby, a toddler who has just peed her pants, a pre-schooler who will not. quit. touching. things. and two olders who stopped by the deli for a late afternoon lobotomy... and offer to let me go ahead.

[angela in ohio]

In general, I don't think many people still think of "common courtesy" unless they think they've been shafted from the receiving end of it. My hope is that by living the principle almost to an extreme, perhaps it'll start to spread out. Contagion could be used for good, right? And one day, when it would be particularly appreciated, perhaps someone who got to go ahead may one day see me in line with a stinky baby, a toddler who has just peed her pants, a pre-schooler who will not. quit. touching. things. and two olders who stopped by the deli for a late afternoon lobotomy... and offer to let me go ahead.

This is one of the things I love about homeschooling and living a (purposefully) relaxed life. I can let people go ahead of me 'til the cows come home - in traffic, in lines, etc. I hope I am modeling well for my dc (if not for others :001_smile:.) It really is a selfish thing; it gives you a great feeling!

[Jean in Wisc]

I've never seen the "next person in line" jump out of his position and move to the newly opened line. Never.

Is it Wisconsin? LOL! We tend to tell the person with just a couple of items to go ahead of us when we have a full cart. I suppose that is how we offer courtesy here.

The new line being opened in my experience is just that--any one walking by can use it. I'd never think twice about the last person in the line jumping through the new checkout (I've done it with no thought!)...they were just there in time to get through the line quickly--luck of the draw. I've never seen anyone "boil" over it, either! Guess I'll have to watch!

I never new......

J

[Pencil Pusher]

I'm telling you. This ALWAYS happens to me when I'm NINE MONTHS PREGNANT.

I've had people pretend to look at something on the shelf, & then STAY there, float beside the line to "ask a quick question" (& STAY THERE), & jump in front of me when a new lane is opened.

Oftentimes, the new lane is opened because the person being checked out in the current lane has some kind of return issue that's taking a long time. WHY would moving to a new lane mean a shake-up of order? WHY would the person who's already been waiting TEN minutes suddenly be at the END of the line?

And if you're going to cut in front of somebody & CHEAT them, may you someday be 9mos pg w/ swollen ankles & raging hormones, waiting in an endless line, consistently populated by newcomers IN. FRONT. OF. YOU.

But I also have trouble speaking up, so it's a smidge my own fault. You know, these tacky, tasteless, selfish people probably think I don't mind. Let it be known: I MIND!!!

Rant over. Going to take blood pressure meds. :D

[nukeswife]

This is also one of my pet peeves.

Usually they are opening a new lane because the other lines are getting long and people are having to wait to long in said lines.

So why shouldn't the person who's been waiting the longest and is actually "Next" in line get to move to the newly opened lane. Sure if I'm that next person and I've already unloaded most of my items, or if I see someone with only a few things or someone with kids on the verge of meltdown I'll offer up my spot. If I'm not "next" I too will let the person in front of me who is next know that a new lane is opening up and give them "dibs".

I just don't understand why those just walking by think they should win the "new lane opening" lottery, especially if the cashier specifically says "NEXT in Line" She/he means NEXT, they didn't say "Someone" they didn't say "Anybody who happens to be ready to pay for their items and just walked up" they said NEXT.

Also after growing up in WI, I don't think it's a WI thing to not think anything of it when someone just goes to that line even though there are is a line of those that have been waiting. I know where I grew up you were expected to let the person that was next in the currently waiting line to move over.

[nestof3]

Well, the reason a new register is opened is because the register that is already open is so long. So you have 6 people waiting in this one line, and the cashier calls another up to help get this line movig. If there were only one person in the line, another cashier wouldn't be called up.

So when the cashier comes up to relieve the waiting line, it is sort of common sense that the person waiting next is served next. The person is just served by the other cashier.

It's a first-come, first-serve principle. It doesn't work well in a drive-thru, but most facilities are based on this principle. DMV, inside of a bank, the fast food check-out lane.

This happens mostly in stores like craft stores and general stores, but sometimes in grocery stores. I rarely see cashiers come to the front in grocery stores -- they usually have all of their cashiers at the front already.

So, let's say you're waiting in line to order McDonalds and another cashier comes up. Wouldn't the next person in line be served next? Or would the person who just came through the door be next? That's why many establishments created rope systems.

Many cashiers will call out "I'll take the next person in line," but many cashiers act as though they don't have the energy to even speak these days.

But, maybe it is a regional thing.

[HomeOnTheRanch]

When I'm nine months pregnant, ready to put my stuff on the conveyor, I don't wish to lug my cart and kiddos halfway across the store to the new line. Once there, I'll have to wait a few minutes anyway while the cashier opens the register, etc. Just leave me alone :) Most people around here know it works that way and it is usually the 3rd or 4th person in line that goes to the new line. Those behind either choose to stay or join the new line.

[Jean in Wisc]

When I'm nine months pregnant, ready to put my stuff on the conveyor, I don't wish to lug my cart and kiddos halfway across the store to the new line. Once there, I'll have to wait a few minutes anyway while the cashier opens the register, etc. Just leave me alone :) Most people around here know it works that way and it is usually the 3rd or 4th person in line that goes to the new line. Those behind either choose to stay or join the new line.

This is something, too, that I don't fully understand. Usually the line that is being opened is not right next to the line I am in, and usually there are several people in the isle behind me--we'd have to all back up and move over to the new line. Do people really do this? Or are you discussing the small store where there are just 3 or 4 people in line and the new checkout that is opening is the next lane? Perhaps we are not discussing the same thing--

I usually think that if I am close to the front of the line, I would benefit by staying there.
J

[Tammy]

I agree!

[mcconnellboys]

This happens to me ALL THE TIME!!!!! It is SO wrong, but the cashiers should take the responsibility of saying, "I'll take the NEXT IN LINE." Then it's clear who should move over and who should stay put. I HATE THIS!!!!! Can you tell that this drives me NUTS????? I grew up in retail and we NEVER allowed this sort of thing to happen. Cashiers should protect the rights of customers.

I seriously recently just walked out of Lowe's, leaving a pile of about $200 in merchandise sitting in the floor, which I had been trying to HOLD while waiting - all because they did this very sort of thing to me. And I won't be back..... I absolutely won't tolerate this and I'd report it to management and complain loud and long if I were you. Their cashiers should be trained better than this!

Retail sales relies on customers. If they have no customers, they have no jobs; no store. If they don't treat their customers fairly, then the customers should take their business elsewhere. We are not required to shop at one government run store and take what we can get. We do not live in the former USSR. Retail stores who treat me right earn my life-long loyalty and I'll advertise for them. Retail stores who do not reat me right earn my life-long disdain and I'll advertise against them...... It's YOUR MONEY. Don't spend it on an experience that does not completely satisfy you.....

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Retail sales relies on customers. If they have no customers, they have no jobs; no store. If they don't treat their customers fairly, then the customers should take their business elsewhere. We are not required to shop at one government run store and take what we can get. We do not live in the former USSR. Retail stores who treat me right earn my life-long loyalty and I'll advertise for them. Retail stores who do not reat me right earn my life-long disdain and I'll advertise against them...... It's YOUR MONEY. Don't spend it on an experience that does not completely satisfy you.....

You know, I've been saying for years that you need to let us know how you really feel, instead of beating around the bush so much. It's hard reading your posts when I'm not sure where you stand on issues. Gently offered... you really should work on that. Don't be shy. We're here for you.

:rofl:



:cheers2:

[mcconnellboys]

But I can't. feel. your. virtual. hugs. I'm so *needy*.......

[Mom2legomaniacs]

I seriously recently just walked out of Lowe's, leaving a pile of about $200 in merchandise sitting in the floor, which I had been trying to HOLD while waiting - all because they did this very sort of thing to me. And I won't be back..... I absolutely won't tolerate this and I'd report it to management and complain loud and long if I were you. Their cashiers should be trained better than this! .

If this was my mom's store, let her know and she'll fix that. She doesn't tolerate that kind of stuff. She works really hard and expects her employees to be respectful. PM me and I'll tell you which store is hers.

[LizzyBee]

When you are shopping and standing in a really long line and you are next in line, if the register next door opens and the cashier says "next", are you the one that should get to move over to the open cashier.

Yes! I like the cashiers who tap the next person in line on the shoulder to let them know that s/he is opening a new line. Now in a grocery line, the very next person in line might be wedged in and it wouldn't be logical for them to move to the newly opened lane, but I hate seeing the person at the very end of the line race to the new one. That is so rude!!!

[H0MEFree]

As a long time manager (now a SAHM!!!! :001_smile:) at a large grocery store chain...

It is the checker's JOB to get the next person and bring them over -- not call them like a dog. Not doing so is bad business and lazy. If I caught one of my people trying that they would be reprimanded.

[Peek a Boo]

in general, yes i agree that if a lane opens up immediately adjacent and for the express purpose of relieving the long line in which you are waiting, then whoever has been waiting the longest should get first dibs on the situation.

i also agree that there are certainly exceptions and that we shouldn't sweat it [it's NOT worth being bitter over an extra ten minutes -who knows, you probably just missed a nasty accident due to the delay, lol].

If a lane opens up a couple lanes down, then it's a free for all. I tend to assess it like Dy does :)

i also agree that the cashiers should take the extra 3 seconds to specify exactly WHO is next. And if you witness an unclear opening-of-another-lane issue, YES! report it.

[sweetbaby]

I guess I'm the psychologist in line because I usually do the opposite. When a new line opens, I just sit there and allow everyone else the opportunity to leave the line that I'm standing in, therefore, placing me closer than what I would have been in the new line behind them. Ha! I guess some reverse grocery store psychology. :D Goofy isn't it?

[Peek a Boo]

I guess I'm the psychologist in line because I usually do the opposite. When a new line opens, I just sit there and allow everyone else the opportunity to leave the line that I'm standing in, therefore, placing me closer than what I would have been in the new line behind them. Ha! I guess some reverse grocery store psychology. :D Goofy isn't it?

{{not so goofy-- I've done this too, lol.}}

[dalynnrmc]

I guess I'm the psychologist in line because I usually do the opposite. When a new line opens, I just sit there and allow everyone else the opportunity to leave the line that I'm standing in, therefore, placing me closer than what I would have been in the new line behind them. Ha! I guess some reverse grocery store psychology. :D Goofy isn't it?

I've done this as well. My usual philosophy is to offer it to whomever is next, or only has a couple of items, or has thousands of screaming kids. :lol: (Um... or is 9 months pregnant? LOL)

But, to me, "next" is constituted by the first person who does NOT have to back up to move. LOL You have the person at the register, the person who already has their items on the belt and is "next," the person who has only a couple of items on the belt and is "up there," and maybe one more person stuffed in by the candy bars. Whoever is behind THEM is move-over material. :tongue_smilie:

Unless, of course, there is a woman who is 9 months pregnant and has 3 screaming kids with her behind that. Then SHE is next! :chillpill:

[elegantlion]

I also agree that there are certainly exceptions and that we shouldn't sweat it [it's NOT worth being bitter over an extra ten minutes -who knows, you probably just missed a nasty accident due to the delay, lol].


i also agree that the cashiers should take the extra 3 seconds to specify exactly WHO is next. And if you witness an unclear opening-of-another-lane issue, YES! report it.

:iagree: I'm quite sure God is dealing with my patience when I get stuck in the long line.

[lynn]

In a perfect world that should be the way it goes and I do my best to be curtious to others in such a situations. Life is just to short to get upset at things like that.

[ckweyant]

Im from Florida, and I would definately not think that it would be the last person waiting in line. That just doesnt make sense to me. It should be the first one waiting, the one waiting the longest.

Just my 2 cents.

[Night Elf]

I try to use self-checkouts whenever possible because I would rather just do it myself quickly and get out.

I would think it weird for a line of people to back up and let someone out of a corralled checkout lane to move to the new line being opened.

When I do stand in a line, I have a definite position and I'm okay with that. I'm really not bothered if a new lane opens up. Now, if a problem arises in front of me that will require me to wait extra long, I get out of that line and move to another one if I don't have time to wait.

I tend to think we're all equal. I'm not trying to be harsh to very pregnant women or moms with little kids but I don't think they should get special treatment. What if someone is in a hurry because they need to get home to their little ones? What if someone has been waiting there longer and needs to go about their own business? How can we know what is going on in someone else's life? Yes, I've been in a hurry. Yes, I've had to leave a store because of an impatient/frustrated child. That is my responsibility, not anyone else's. If someone offered, I'd likely be grateful. But I would never presume to be treated that way just because of my situation.

[DIY-DY]

I tend to think we're all equal. I'm not trying to be harsh to very pregnant women or moms with little kids but I don't think they should get special treatment. What if someone is in a hurry because they need to get home to their little ones? What if someone has been waiting there longer and needs to go about their own business? How can we know what is going on in someone else's life? Yes, I've been in a hurry. Yes, I've had to leave a store because of an impatient/frustrated child. That is my responsibility, not anyone else's. If someone offered, I'd likely be grateful. But I would never presume to be treated that way just because of my situation.

I don't think anybody in this thread has said that very pregnant women or moms with little kids should get special treatment - several of us who mentioned those scenarios included them as examples of when we try to extend a little extra kindness. Right up there with letting the person with just a few things go ahead of us. No, we can't know what's going on in someone else's life, but my lack of ESP isn't going to stop me from trying to be kind to others.

I, also, am not trying to be harsh. I just felt that the intent/tone of those of us who had mentioned those situations may have been misunderstood. For us, it's not a matter of presumption or obligation, but simply a matter of trying to extend some graciousness to others in the daily course of things. Yes, the OP began about a specific situation (who should be next), and we veered, but not to muddy the waters. It was more to explain an overall philosophy vs. hard-and-fast rules.

[dirty ethel rackham]

The good cashiers don't announce "next", but go up to the next person in line and tell them that their is no waiting at their station. I like these ones because there is no ambiguity.

[LadyNancy]

I like how our local post office takes care of this. When there's a long line and a new register opens up they announce "I'll take the FIRST person in line." No confusion there.

[lynn]

This actually happened at WM today. The WM lady came to me and pointed to the next register the lady behind me tried to get there first. I won:D........ No not really they opened up 2 registers, can you believe it 2 registers were open at the same time, in WM, in Madison. Now that just made my day:tongue_smilie: lol. Now had she had just a few items I and the 2nd register was not open I would have let her go even though she was behind me. Since we had equal amounts I still would have let her go. My 2year old dd was still sitting nice in the cart.

I feel what goes around comes around. Not always but most of the time.

[Night Elf]

No, we can't know what's going on in someone else's life, but my lack of ESP isn't going to stop me from trying to be kind to others.

In case I was misunderstood, I never suggested people shouldn't be polite. But there are people out in this world who think they should be treated special for one reason or another. My example? I was standing in a checkout line with a full grocery cart patiently waiting my turn. A person came up to me and suggested she go first because she only had a few things and a preschooler who didn't like to wait. Because I hate confrontation, I chose to let her go ahead of me. I wish I had a backbone to just say NO but I didn't want to seem unkind.

[DIY-DY]

In case I was misunderstood, I never suggested people shouldn't be polite. But there are people out in this world who think they should be treated special for one reason or another. My example? I was standing in a checkout line with a full grocery cart patiently waiting my turn. A person came up to me and suggested she go first because she only had a few things and a preschooler who didn't like to wait. Because I hate confrontation, I chose to let her go ahead of me. I wish I had a backbone to just say NO but I didn't want to seem unkind.

I did misunderstand. I thought you felt that we (those of us w/ littles who have posted here *grin*) were saying we felt entitled to special treatment. I see that that's not, specifically, what you were saying. Do I appreciate it when someone helps me out? You betcha. Do I expect it? No.

That person was rather presumptuous in her request, no? Nothin' wrong w/ letting the toddler learn how to wait patiently and politely, imho. I think, in your honor, I'm going to let someone with *more* things than I have go ahead next time. I know it won't be you (being in a different part of the country and all :) ) but b/c sometimes you just never know who could use a little boost, a little unexpected positive, that doesn't show on the outside. Never a bad reminder. :)

Thanks! (And thank you, too, for understanding where I was coming from, as well.)
Dy