Who Do Line Hoppers Think They Are?

I’ll tell you who they are

Photo by Matt Hoffman on Unsplash

How long does a person wait in line during their lifetime? A rough estimate is six months. No one likes to do it, but in a civilized society, we have found this is just what we do. Some fucking people don’t see it that way though. Their fucking time is more important than yours.

My grandson and I were waiting in line to get tickets at the Science Museum. We were waiting 10 minutes when a second window opened up for people to get tickets. We were next in line, so I proceeded to go to the second window. A fucking man and his bratty kids cut right in front of us to get to the window I intended to go to.

I wasn’t going to let it go. “Excuse me, I was next in line for tickets,” I said, loud enough for everyone in a 10,000 square foot range to hear me. He just looked at me and started to tell the ticket person the number of tickets he wanted. I got around him, pushing him out of place, and told the ticket person that I was next in line. I then proceeded to buy my tickets.

The asshole looked at the line of people he disregarded ahead of him. They were all unhappy that this guy barged in front of us all.

Then he realized what he had done.

“Oh, I didn’t see the line,” he said in a faint laugh. No one thought he was funny. He was an inconsiderate prick. He went to the back of the line, where he was supposed to be in the first place.

Sure, I could have gotten hurt or killed over this situation, but nothing makes my blood boil more than entitled people who cut in lines. I see red and have to react.

My grandson was very impressed that I stood up to the jerk.

I’m small and old, so people think I’m invisible, but don’t cut in front of me unless I give you an invitation to go first. In the food store, I will let someone with one item go ahead of me, or if someone is clearly on their lunch break, while I’m just shopping.

If a new line opens up when I'm next in line, I should be first in line at the new register. If I see someone cutting in front of another person, I will always say something. Where are their manners? Why is it all about them?

Another situation I encountered was that the person in front of me was saving a space for a friend. Not one but three people came and crowded in front of me. Aren’t they RUDE? No saying “excuse me”, just pushing their way in line expecting me to accommodate them by stepping back into the people behind me.

They were all laughing because they knew they were inconsiderate assholes who cut in line. They looked at all of us in line behind them like we weren’t as smart as they were. No, we were just doing what we were taught in Kindergarten. I guess these fuckers didn’t get the memo.

I didn’t say anything because four to one wasn’t a good ratio for me. So I did other things.

I pretended to sneeze — a real wet one that sprayed on the back of two of their necks. I got a slight look from one of them. Being old I can always fart on command. I know it sounds infantile, but it took away the resentment.

What about cars that try to cut in line? There is a road that I frequently drive. A sign says that the left lane will end. Most people stay in the right lane but there are always fucking assholes that speed in the left lane and expect people to let them in as soon as the lane ends. Hopefully, they ran over a nail that got stuck in their tire. I ignore them if they try to squeeze in front of me. Wait your turn, you inconsiderate jerk.

I will never understand this uncouth behavior. I hope when these disrespectful idiots die, they have to wait in line for eternity.