Why do people crowd people at check out counters?

Question

Check out counters often have a "privacy" area but people crowd the patron who is paying. Do you think you will get through the line faster if you "push" them? Who else thinks this is extremely rude? Do you understand that the "privacy" area is there so you can have some protection when entering pin numbers or writing a check that has a lot of personal information imprinted in full view of people who crowd the "privacy" area.

Answer 1

I suppose no one ever trained them out of this natural, childish impulse. That is no excuse; they should train themselves. The world would be a more pleasant place without people breathing down your neck in theater lines or driving up your tailpipe on the freeway.

If I need to establish my personal space while standing in line, I take a small, gentle step backwards, then apologize for the resulting collision. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were standing so close to me."

Usually this works, but a few times I've had to resort to "Am I crowding you? I'm sorry, but as you can see I have no where to go. Perhaps if you could step back a bit you'd have more room?" or "Are the people behind you pushing you?"

When I get to the privacy area, I can play enforcer myself -- "Excuse me, could you folks please move back into the waiting area while I complete my transaction? I need some privacy." -- or ask the teller to secure some privacy for me and let him/her do the dirty work.

If this is consistantly a problem at a particular bank, I'd call it to the manager's attention. The bank personnel should be taking notice and taking action if measures to insure customers' privacy are being ignored.

Answer 2

Some people get impatient at checkouts, and some people have a different sense of personal space.

Answer 3

Patience is a virtue which many, unfortunately, no longer practice.

Answer 4

Cuz they too want d hell out of there

Answer 5

no manners