# "Get outa my way" or Why I am more important than you: **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280 "2010-07-11T05:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/121 "2010-07-14T23:18:40Z")
Exactly. All I’m asking for is enough info to make a reasonable decision on whether I want to wait in a line. Doesn’t everyone want to make an informed decision? Is it wrong to want to leave if something will take too long? If there’s a long line it’s a no-brainer. But when you see a short line you expect expediency. This is not unreasonable. Thank you Diane G. Oh right, this is the pit - fuck you too Roddy. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/122 "2010-07-14T23:33:06Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Yes there are. It goes like this: > > Waaah! Someone’s in front of me making me wait! Get outa my way, because I’m more important than you (and the 20 people in your office)! > > You can quote me, next time it comes up. > Roddy Do you not understand that the situation \*\*BwanaBob \*\*witnessed, of one man making a clerk ring up 20 separate transactions, is equivalent to waiting in a line with 20 people ahead of you? If I am going somewhere for lunch and see a line 20 people long, I leave and go somewhere else. The man in **BwanaBob** ’s example is simply a jerk. There’s nothing else to it. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/123 "2010-07-14T23:40:38Z")
I go to a McD in a town with an Airforce base AND a National Guard’s thingy. I have learned to NOT get in the line behind the guy in fatigues… ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/124 "2010-07-14T23:42:42Z")
Also, never get in line behind the guys in orange vests and the hardhats. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/125 "2010-07-14T23:54:42Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Do you not understand that the situation \*\*BwanaBob \*\*witnessed, of one man making a clerk ring up 20 separate transactions, is equivalent to waiting in a line with 20 people ahead of you? If I am going somewhere for lunch and see a line 20 people long, I leave and go somewhere else. The man in **BwanaBob** ’s example is simply a jerk. There’s nothing else to it. I do get the situation completely. I simply disagree with your conclusion. I don’t think the world, or the people in it, are obliged to warn me that they are doing something unusual, if the result for me is just that I have to wait for something longer than I expected to. I understand that other people have different expectations of the world than I do. That doesn’t mean I think they’re right. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/126 "2010-07-15T00:59:40Z")
If I got behind someone with a full shopping cart at Safeway and it turns out each piece of food was a separate transaction, I’d re-pack my cart and go to a different line. It’s annoying enough when you find out the person in front of you is splitting their order into two transactions. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/127 "2010-07-15T01:33:49Z")
If you see an old guy walk up to the counter of a drug store that sells lottery tickets and he has nothing in his hands…just fucking drop whatever you were planning right there on the floor and go to another drug store. Fucker is there to buy lottery tickets. I’ll take 10 of those. (cashier rings up) I’ll take 3 of those (rings up) Repeat until YOU die of hold age. In one drug store which had an assisted living place right across the parking lot, I stood behind an old guy who did this for nearly 10 minutes. There were EIGHT people lined up behind him before I, tired of clearing my throat and other small gestures not doing jack, finally spoke up and said “EXCUSE ME, CAN WE WRAP THIS UP???” Old guy was embarassed and ended the process. Once he was out the door, she turned to me and started to rip me a new one about how this was the highlight of his day and I shouldn’t be angry with him. My response: You know, you’re right. I shouldn’t be mad at him. I should be mad at YOU. You’re the person who could clearly see all the people in line behind him and did nothing to either clue him in that there were other people waiting behind him, or call for another cashier to help out the rest of us. You’re right, it’s not his fault, it’s your fault. Even so. What the fuck, old man. You’re 90 years old and living in an assisted living place. Obviously you’re not rich, but on one hand, you’re not helping yourself dropping a couple of hundred on lottery tickets in one go. On the other hand, just what the fuck would you be doing with it if you won a million bucks? Buy more fucking lottery tickets? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/128 "2010-07-15T04:08:08Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > If the little shits are old enough to be out and about and skiing, they are old enough to stand in line. Trust me. Keeping them in the bus was the better idea. Otherwise, you have 20 kids wandering around, getting lost, getting in fights, and getting left behind. Not to mention the food fight or the stolen food. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/129 "2010-07-15T04:17:52Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > \ > > Repeat until YOU die of hold age.\ Typo or not, I like it! ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/130 "2010-07-15T04:50:30Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Exactly. All I’m asking for is enough info to make a reasonable decision on whether I want to wait in a line. Doesn’t everyone want to make an informed decision? Is it wrong to want to leave if something will take too long? If there’s a long line it’s a no-brainer. But when you see a short line you expect expediency. This is not unreasonable. Look, look, look… Some people are fucking cocks, okay? That’s it. They don’t give a single goddamn about other people, or if they waste everyone’s time, are rude, impede traffic, block the subway door, or whatever else. Their inconsiderate bullshit is okay because in their tiny, crazy little minds, complete disregard for everyone else’s time is acceptable because _they_ like to waste time. I guarantee you --guaran-fucking-tee you-- these are the same shut-in assholes who can’t figure out other basic social graces, or why no one asks them on dates or invites them to parties, or everyone hates them. Psst, yo, it’s because you’re a giant fucking douche. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/131 "2010-07-15T10:27:34Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Look, look, look… > > Some people are fucking cocks, okay? That’s it. They don’t give a single goddamn about other people, or if they waste everyone’s time, are rude, impede traffic, block the subway door, or whatever else. Their inconsiderate bullshit is okay because in their tiny, crazy little minds, complete disregard for everyone else’s time is acceptable because _they_ like to waste time. > > I guarantee you --guaran-fucking-tee you-- these are the same shut-in assholes who can’t figure out other basic social graces, or why no one asks them on dates or invites them to parties, or everyone hates them. Psst, yo, it’s because you’re a giant fucking douche. Thing is, none of these observations about what the person is thinking are what actually is observed. All you see is someone who is moving more slowly than you’d like. Rather than communicate with them, to try to resolve the situation, you’d rather get mad at them and assign them bad motives so you don’t feel so bad about it. Heck, you have to go further and assume they are hated by everyone. The exact opposite is usually true: slower people tend to be more laid back, and thus can get a lot more friends. Faster people tend to be worry-warts, and drive away people. Furthermore, the most conscientious people I’ve ever met tend to be the most shy or introverted. The actual people that talk all the time–they tend to be the ones who don’t notice the introverts, who are just sitting there fuming because the person in front of them isn’t moving over. This should be obvious, as the biggest dawdlers are people in groups, while the biggest people complaining are those that are by themselves. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/132 "2010-07-15T13:26:29Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Any time some sort of queue has formed, everyone is now in the relationship of sharing a constrained resource, whether it’s ATM time, McDonald’s cashier time, or whatever. It’s rude to waste that shared resource for no better reason than you got there first and you have no need to be anywhere else. The longer the line, the greater the scarcity, the greater the rudeness. Very well said. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/133 "2010-07-15T15:15:18Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Thing is, none of these observations about what the person is thinking are what actually is observed. All you see is someone who is moving more slowly than you’d like. Maybe they’re just oblivious to the world around them; that’s still bad. I don’t think someone is a rude or stupid \*just \*because they’re “moving more slowly [I’d] like them to.” I think the person is rude/stupid when they take five minutes at the ATM, form a human barricade across the sidewalk, or stop in the middle of the walkway at the airport to look around. This is an airport, people, everyone inside has somewhere to go. It’s okay if you’re lost. Really! Move out of the way, though, and don’t have a giant crowd stopped right in the middle of the walking path so that you can figure it out. > [@](#): > > The exact opposite is usually true: slower people tend to be more laid back, and thus can get a lot more friends. Faster people tend to be worry-warts, and drive away people. You just made this up. Moreover, this isn’t about who walks or drives fast, or who worries. This is about people who feel free to hog up a shared resource, and more specifically, my comment was regarding the ones who can’t figure out why this behavior is loathed. Get used to that house full of cats, because those will be your only companions if you can’t figure out why no one likes the guy who blocks the train door. Even then, your cats will eat you when you die alone. > [@](#): > > Furthermore, the most conscientious people I’ve ever met tend to be the most shy or introverted. What does shyness or introversion have to do with this? > [@](#): > > The actual people that talk all the time–they tend to be the ones who don’t notice the introverts, who are just sitting there fuming because the person in front of them isn’t moving over. This should be obvious, as the biggest dawdlers are people in groups, while the biggest people complaining are those that are by themselves. Oh, I get it. You’ve turned this into the **BigT** show, and would like to share how wonderful shy people are. Great, kiddo, I’m sure you’re all wonderful, but that has nothing to do with anything. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/134 "2010-07-15T21:35:43Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Look, look, look… > > Some people are fucking cocks, okay? That’s it. They don’t give a single goddamn about other people, or if they waste everyone’s time, are rude, impede traffic, block the subway door, or whatever else. Their inconsiderate bullshit is okay because in their tiny, crazy little minds, complete disregard for everyone else’s time is acceptable because _they_ like to waste time. > > I guarantee you --guaran-fucking-tee you-- these are the same shut-in assholes who can’t figure out other basic social graces, or why no one asks them on dates or invites them to parties, or everyone hates them. Psst, yo, it’s because you’re a giant fucking douche. I would like to agree with you, but unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that the clueless wonders of the world are simply average people. I don’t understand _why_ it’s so hard for people to figure out that blocking aisles in a store that is ALWAYS busy and crowded is a bad thing, but it apparently is. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/135 "2010-07-15T22:17:36Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Yes there are. It goes like this: > > Waaah! Someone’s in front of me making me wait! Get outa my way, because I’m more important than you (and the 20 people in your office)! > > You can quote me, next time it comes up. Get the fuck outta my waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/136 "2010-07-15T22:25:21Z")
I thought about this thread in two different situations today. First, I went to the library to pick up some books I had requested. Two of them checked out through the automated terminals they have, but two would not because they are Interlibrary Loan items. So, I had to go to the desk, where I waited in line for 10 minutes behind two people. One was having trouble because there was a language barrier (based on her dress, I would guess eastern european?) and because the system stated she had some overdue things that she said she returned. The other, directly in front of me, was developmentally delayed. The desk clerk was very patient with these patrons, as she should be, and I did not get bent out of shape because hey, the desk is for those issues that the terminals can’t fix. No biggie. BUT, on my way home, I turned onto my street, which is a normal width for residential areas around here. On one side, an large truck the size and configuration of a garbage truck had parked, not really out of the road but at the edge. Directly across from this truck had parked another truck, a large pickup. No big deal, there was still enough space in between them to pass and no one was coming the other way (it’s a quiet neighborhood). EXCEPT - the passenger and driver of the garbage truck and the passenger and driver of the pickup truck had gotten out to have a group conversation with each other. In the middle of the street. Directly in the only open driving space between the two trucks. I stopped and waited for them to see me. All four of them turned around or looked over their shoulder, directly at me… And then turned back to each other and resumed their conversation. Without moving. I seriously was so flabbergasted, and this thread popped so immediately into my mind, that I decided to wait and see how long it would take them to move out of the street. It ended up not being that long - 30 seconds. But sit at your desk right now and count out 30 seconds, all the while thinking that you’re knowingly standing in the middle of the street in front of a car who’s attempting to drive past where you’ve illegally stopped your truck. Finally, all four of them moved - two to the left, and two to the right. And then, the garbage truck driver waved me through with an impatient, rude “oh, GO AHEAD!” and in my rearview mirror, I saw all four of them meet again in the middle of the road to continue their conversation. Yes, yes, I know - 30 seconds is no time at all. And I agree. But I can’t imagine doing something similar - deliberately and consciously blocking a public road, knowing that someone’s waiting to drive by and having made EYE CONTACT with that person, when it would take 1 second for me and my friends to step over to the side where our trucks are already parked, and let people use the road for which it’s intended. So, I guess, these are not clueless wonders, but fucking cocks. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/137 "2010-07-15T23:07:07Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Self checkouts are express lanes and are for self-sevice. If you bring a full cart of groceries to that lane you are being inconsiderate at best and an asshole at worst. Same thing if you are going to buy cigarettes. You know that requires assistance of an employee. You’re in the wrong line. If you want to let your kids scan the groceries and have a little playtime, you’re in the wrong line. > > Those lanes are specifically created for people who want to move quickly. If you’re a dawdler, don’t use them. Bullshit. Those lanes are specifically so that the grocer can hire fewer checkers. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/138 "2010-07-16T01:24:46Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > Bullshit. Those lanes are specifically so that the grocer can hire fewer checkers. Yep, and where I shop, they are 15 items or less. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/139 "2010-07-16T02:19:38Z")
Well, all I can say is; Better in those lanes than bothering the cashier with outdated or vague self-printed internet coupons and spending 5 minutes arguing about whether or not the toothpaste was $2.69 or $2.64. Then slowly writing out a check like they’re writing a sequel to _War and Peace_. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/140 "2010-07-16T02:28:13Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > No - I can deal with the guy buying for his office - but paying for the meals individually and taking 20x the normal transaction time is what I object to. If he ordered 20 burgers and fries, they’d charge him and ask him to step to the side and wait for the food while they service the next customer. But making a clerk do each burger and fry meal individually - there are no words. I get that and I know it’s a pain in the ass when it happens. I just think he has a right to decide how to do it. If he decides that for him, keeping the money issue straight by paying seperately rather than seperating it after the fact that’s his choice. Was he paying cash or credit card? Either way, he may have decided it’s better to have a reciept for each person. That’s his call. It also occured to me that it shouldn’t take too many orders for you to realize he’s going to be a while and make the same call you would make if 20 people were in line. If 20 people were in line would you be pissed at them? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280.md?page=8)