Definition of a queue, “a line of people standing and waiting their turn to be attended to”. At the Doctor’s surgery. big notice, “Please Queue - Do Not Approach Desk”. So I did (for 10 mins) then two women and a man barged past me. Man said to Woman B “you’re next”. “Excuse me” I said politely “this is the queue and I’m next”. “You’re not” said Busybody Woman A “she’s next” (indicating Woman B). “No” I said “I’m next”. “She’s next” spat Woman A aggressively “she’s been sitting over there since 8.30am”. “Well” (I said, applying logic) “if she’s been ‘sitting over there’ then she hasn’t been standing in the queue with us, has she?” Whereupon all three of them barnstormed Reception and demanded to be seen. Woman A kept repeating “she’s been sitting over there since 8.30am” like a mantra. I couldn’t help it – I just exploded with temper. In a very loud voice I shouted sarcastically “Just push in why don’t you – I’ve only got Cancer – I’ll just stand here and try not to faint!” (Yes I know, it was very, very naughty of me.) The people standing behind me all squirmed in that frightfully British ‘oh dear, mustn’t make a fuss’ sort of way at my ‘non-PC’ outburst. Well guess what - Busybody Woman A had a hide like a rhino, didn’t show the tiniest bit of embarrassment and the wimpy Receptionist caved-in. When I finally got to the desk the Receptionist apologised profusely “for keeping me waiting”. What could I do? I just spread my arms wide and pulled a wry face. The thing is if those people had shown an ounce of courtesy, tapped me on the shoulder and said “do you mind …etc” I probably would have just smiled and said “no, go ahead”. How sad.
Love this! I am a receptionist in docs surgery and just know what you are describing. Well done, dont stand for any !!! It seems some members of the public turn into bigger monsters than they usually are, when they enter through those doors. Lol xxxxxx