Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Cutting Queues / Cutting Lines

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Mexico
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
El Gallo



Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 318

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:44 pm    Post subject: Cutting Queues / Cutting Lines Reply with quote

I am looking for some advice regarding how to handle Mexican people who cut in front of me in lines in banks, stores, bus stations etc. I have accepted this as a normal phenomenon of driving because it is almost universal world wide but not since I lived in Germany have I had people, young and old, walk in front of me in a line as if I am invisible. Is this just Chiapas or is it common in all of Mexico? Do I just accept it as part of the culture of a country I am a guest in or say something to the offenders?

The other challenge is being pushed from behind. As I was standing in the street watching a parade, people from behind pushed and shoved to get in front of me to the extent I turned around and offered them my place (I'm tall so it was no problem). They looked at me like I was crazy and said no. In Soriana sometimes, "amas de casa" will shove their carts into my butt as if the queue will speed up with this action. One day this resulted in a shameful verbal exchange in which my last words were, in response to her profanities,"? aprendo Usted eso in su iglesia?"

Similar experiences? Advice? Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to work with a young German woman who was not at all shy about asking them in Spanish if she was invisible. Most of the time the interlopers would then be embarrassed and step back.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hlamb



Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 431
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This happens to me to. Generally I ignore it when someone pushes me from behind, but a moment or two later I absentmindedly step back and make sure to trod on their feet. It works well. As for people cutting in front of me, I sometimes tell them in Spanish that it's rude to push in front of a foreigner who just wants to visit their country. Usually they are surprised that I speak Spanish and back off with lots of apologies. Other times I just ignore it, and accept it as part of the culture here. Depends on my mood.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MELEE



Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have this problem in banks?
I have accounts in two different banks, one has a take a number system and the other has roped off lines, I've never seen cutting there. Only in places with no clear line. Like our school cafeteria. As I am in a role of authority on campus, I tell the students that they must wait in line like everybody else and that if they want true change in Mexico it must start with them on an individual level and that line jumping or letting friends cut is is corruption just the same. I end with one of the Fox administration's slogans, ya no es como antes.
I would never do that out in public however. I have no authority over the general population and it's not my place to tell them what is and isn't acceptable behavior.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gary Denness
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Cutting Queues / Cutting Lines Reply with quote

El Gallo wrote:


Similar experiences? Advice? Thanks.


Argh! The bain of my life! I wrote a piece about this in my blog sometime ago, and just dug it up again....the crux of which was...

For Mexican queuing rules....push to the front as far as you can, pressing tightly up against the one person you can�t push infront of, carry on chatting to your friend/yourself/a stranger and as soon as the metro doors open make sure you push everybody trying to get off the train, back onto the train.
Back to top
corporatehuman



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 198
Location: Mexico City

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The few times Ive gone to a bank in tuxtla the same exact thing happened to me, with all these people cutting ahead of me. So, well, I sort of try to do a box out procedure, get as close to wherever I am, or as close to the person front of me as possible. Also to appear formidable, puff myself up and cross my arms or something. If you have the space, you can really box them out considering Im sure you are bigger (as am I) than virtually everyone here in Chiapas.

But I have noticed in Tuxtla it can be pretty blatant, and its hard when the 70 year old limps ahead in front of you. Box them out. My advice.

Chris
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
lozwich



Joined: 25 May 2003
Posts: 1536

PostPosted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

corporatehuman wrote:
Also to appear formidable, puff myself up and cross my arms or something.


I'm not very big, but I stand with my elbows out and legs apart, and growl at anyone who comes too close. Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
heathergray



Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 41

PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, I am in Turkey and just purusing this board (missing California like crazy and think I should try to teach somewhere closer Smile

But it's the same here. I was waiting to buy a subway token the other day and a woman clearly cut in front of me and I didn't say anything. Which was stupid. I'm not going to let people disrespect me just because I'm not Turkish. The concept of lines, lanes for driving, and queing in general is perhaps not as standardized here. I just don't get it. Or maybe I just look helpless and people aren't afraid to f*** with me. Dunno.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
lisa1968



Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 52

PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 7:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In Mexico I just used to say "Aqui va la cola". Worked everytime, no one was offened and I didn't offend.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
El Gallo



Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 318

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

perfect - thanks a lot
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
eclectic



Joined: 09 Nov 2006
Posts: 1122

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe common sense is always the answer, except in extreme cases where mental illness may be present in the perpetrator of the crime...and it IS a crime, in my opinion, cutting in front of someone intentionally--it borders on malice, contempt, complete disrespect for the victim.

When I say common sense I mean: give the person a real serious and incredulous look, and say with authority: Are you joking, my friend? I was here first! How can you just cut in front like that? No manners??

It HAS to work, unless the guy (or gal) has some psychosis.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
El Gallo



Joined: 05 Feb 2007
Posts: 318

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Probably works in one's home country but the issue is more complicated as a guest here in Mexico.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Mexico All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China