The
British are used to a good queue, but there are those still who break
the rules of queuing. It is interesting to note than in America, a
‘queue’ is practically
unheard of: they call it ‘standing in line’. I was once told –
and I’m not sure how true this is – that ‘queue’ is not in all American
dictionaries. That said, the rules still apply wherever you are!
Cough
cough, its my ‘cue’ to mention Nigeria (possibly this applies to other
African or Caribbean nations) and ‘queuing non etiquette’ …now where do I
start?
Best place, one the international entrances to the country, Murtala Muhammed airport..
Probably the most frustrating of all queuing faux pas is queue jumping (or worst still: Paying people to jump and making the payment in full view of everyone). Quite simply: don’t!
If
you are with travelers, enter the queue as one group. Don’t take it
turns to reserve a place for your entire party. Think how annoying it
must be to think, after a long time waiting, you finally reach the front
except for the one man in front of you and suddenly, out of nowhere,
his five relatives join him, making your wait even longer.
This
is especially prevalent at the airport (and more recently I experienced
it when queuing at a party in a paid line to have my ‘GELE’ tied. The
Nigerian lady tying the geles held a physical and ’invisible’ queue!
She would tie a gele then make call or text to ‘others’ to let them know
they should, “do quick” as, “the queue is getting longer!”. Then 3 or 4
would appear from nowhere (with no apology) and proceed to sit in the
chair and ‘push in front of the queue’ (leaving us standing there to
feel as if we are the invisible people)!!….
Please all, be mindful of queuing etiquette (it does exist)! Now to do a write-up on car traffic jam etiquette..
By Lola Awofadeju Alli
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