Post, Text, Or Talk Standing In Line?

Lee

Lee

Senior Member
Location
Chatham, Ontario
At the moment I am in a rather long line at the grocery store, sooooo rather than fuming at the slow pace I am posting.

Don't like to talk on the cell phone in public except an emergency, think it rude

What about you?
 

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I have learned to enjoy the queue
I mean, one could stand there and fume
or
Start up a little snappy patter
But
One must learn who is receptive
Mutual smiles can be a tell
If nobody looks receptive, then I just enjoy watching
Folks are fun
No matter their moods
 
I was having a short argument with a Wal Mart associate yesterday about how I'd rather stay in my current checkout line instead of getting involved in the self-checkout pay-by-check scheme he was offering. It really wasn't a scheme, it just seemed like a lot of trouble. We'll run it through the automated checkout and then we'll go over there to pay...blah never mind. That's when the guy in front of me began talking a blue streak. Haha.
 
I mind my own business...One time in line. a very long time in a Women's store, the lady in front of me started talking to me about the
store didn't have enough help for so many people in line....I then said to her...Yes, I hate that!!! She gave me a nasty look and said, It's not
nice to say hate....After that I don't talk to anyone in the store....I thought she was going to slap me.....She was a nasty little 20 year old....
What happened to our kids.....I did ask my daughter, she said that girl was rude!!!! I guess I can't say hate anymore...
 
In the unlikely event I find myself in a queue, I just stand there, people watching, happy to engage in a conversation if somebody starts one, I’m rarely in a hurry, but dosn’t happen very often as I usually shop at quiet times
 
We talk to people in line if they are receptive to talking. Same with the clerks at the check out counter. I don't consider it rude at all. We might be the only human contact that day for some lonely person. I remember about 25 years ago in Palm Springs my husband was in a fast food place picking up our order and didn't come out in a timely manner. Turns out some lonely old man was telling him about the prostate cancer treatment he was in town for. He's always been interested in the people around him. He also always says hello to cats and dogs we come across on our walks. After 55 years of marriage I've picked up some of my husband's good habits.:giggle:

But to answer the OPs question. If no one looks like they want to talk I either look at my phone or eye up all the candy bars by the check out counter.
 
I try to avoid long lines by doing everything very early in the day.

When I am stuck in line I study and silently judge what the people ahead of me are buying, how frugal they appear to be, how organized and prepared to pay they are, etc...

Sometimes I engage in conversation with people but I have a habit of saying the wrong thing so I try to keep the conversation very basic.

I rarely use my phone and I hate to be trapped near people that feel the need to broadcast their conversations to the rest of the world.
 
I typically find myself talking to the other people in line. It just happens, and if I can make them laugh it makes me happy. Many people are lonesome and welcome someone paying attention to the. Now, a person has to do it right and correctly read the situation and the person they are about to talk to.
Talking in person beats texting or being on the phone by a wide mile.
….. And I am bashful compared to my wife, especially if she has the Bichons with her.
 
Nice topic.

I hate wasting time, as who knows how much of it I have left? (I hope this isn't a self fulfilling prophecy. LOL)

I tend to make the most of time, no matter the situation - be it in person, technical or spiritual.
 
Shame on me, I left out the most important part in my last post.
The most important part is to spend more time listening than talking. Lonesome people need someone to listen to them a lot more than they need to listen to me. Besides, if I am going to learn anything, I need to listen.
… and actually listening can be struggle as we wrestle with our own ego driven desire to go into "broadcast" mode.
 
Pecos said:
Shame on me, I left out the most important part in my last post.
The most important part is to spend more time listening than talking. Lonesome people need someone to listen to them a lot more than they need to listen to me. Besides, if I am going to learn anything, I need to listen.
… and actually listening can be struggle as we wrestle with our own ego driven desire to go into "broadcast" mode.
Click to expand...
You are a nice guy...👍👍
 
It seems people now a days don't talk to each other. I know years ago I would chat with people in the stores but now we all look the other way, silently..I guess I go with the flow and keep my mouth shut.
 
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When in long lines I do my favorite thing: people watch.

But I do avoid lines, though. I do my banking online, I seldom shop, I buy my pet supplies online and have delivered. Still like shopping for groceries but do it early on Sunday mornings, very little traffic and lots of parking spaces and very few shoppers inside the store.
 

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