Letting a person with only one item cut in line seems okay, right?
But it affects everyone behind you as well. Is it ever okay to NOT let the person with only one item cut in line ahead of you at the grocery store?
A shopper with a full cart wants to know.
The Grocery Store Was Busy
A shopper shared his story about about a time when the grocery store checkout lanes were busy.
This shopper choose to check out with a cashier, leaving the self-checkout lines for other shoppers with fewer items.
“There were three checkout lanes with cashiers open and six self-checkouts that were not busy (maybe 2 people total).”
The Request to Cut is Rejected
After waiting in line for 5 minutes, someone with only one item asked to cut in line.
“No, sorry, but the person in front of me also has a cart full. You could go to the self check out if you’re in a rush, there’s no one there.”
In response, she tried to protest and had an extremely shocked look up on her face, to which I responded: “No, sorry.” Then the cashier chimed in and said, “Ma’am, you can go to the self-checkout, nobody is ever there.”
The Guilt
The shopper felt guilty for saying no because of how others in the line and the person reacted.
“The other people in line and the “cutting person” had such sour grapes looks when I said no.”
Saying No Was Okay
Many users of the online forum supported the shopper.
“You handled it well. Letting someone go in front of you is optional and shouldn’t be expected.”
And another said, “You were clear and polite. That person was wildly entitled.”
The Self Checkout Option Ignored
Self-checkouts can be convenient, especially when you only have one item.
In this case, for whatever reason, the person asking to cut in line preferred to go through a line with a cashier.
“It’s also really weird to ask to go in front of people instead of scanning one item at the self checkout. I know some items need approval or whatever, but I feel like that’s unlikely here, and even so, that would be faster at most self checkouts.”
The Only Way To Make It Fair
In this situation, there were other people in line behind the shopper.
A good suggestion was given for a way to let the person cut. However, it could add considerable time to your shopping trip.
“It’s only fair if they’ve already asked everyone else behind you, or if you trade places with them and take their spot at the back of the line.”
My Conclusion
It’s only a random act of kindness to let someone jump in line ahead when two criteria are met:
- There is no one else in line behind you. This means no one else is impacted by the person skipping the queue (unless you are willing to move to the back of the line).
- You offer to let the person cut ahead of you as it’s your choice to extend kindness.
When the first rule is met, you could let someone cut when they ask if you are feeling nice, but it’s also okay to say no!
Source: Reddit.
Another Etiquette Story
When a woman gets gifts she doesn’t want, she is annoyed. However, some think she should have felt grateful no matter what.
Random Acts of Kindness Ideas
There are many ways to be kind other than letting people skip the line.
Words Can Be Hard for Some
There are words that I struggle to say correctly. How about you?
Generation X Kid Things
There are things I did as a kid in the 1980s that kids these days don’t do anymore.
Staying Busy When Bored At Work
When you are bored out of your mind at work, there are things you can do to stay busy!
