is this rude?

Question

if you were standing in a line around a buffet table and the person in front of you stops to talk to someone, can i just go in front of them and move on or should i wait for them to move on? is it rude to go in front of them?

Answer 1

if they take too long go in front of them it is rude on that persons part to hold up the line.. just say excuse me i gotta eat..!! no just say excuse me politely and there should be no problem

Answer 2

Thing is if you move around them you will be percieved as rude. The people who stoped may not realize that they are taking so long so they will think so. Others around may not realize what is happening and upon seeing you just move around will think you are being impatient.

What you do is kind of reach for something in front of them. Then say "excuse me" or pardon me in a nice but sort of stern, deeper voice. I say this because when people are in their own world just a slight or meek voice it may not cut through the general chatter. Usually what will happen is the people wil realize that they are holding things up and say "sorry".

Same example is if you are trying to get through an aisle at the grocery store and there is a gaggle in the middle. A lower deeper and to the point "pardon me" (better than excuse me as it implies a certain level of manners..... people hear excuse me all of the time and are sometimes immune to it) will usually scatter people.

Same as in bars, other stores, car dealer or whatever. Pardon me with authority works wonders. Try it and you will see. Its not being rude if you do it right. General reaction is "sorry, how can I help you. People just get into their own world doing a task (as we all do). You are just politly cutting through that.

Answer 3

No, it's rude for them to hold a conversation while in line, and force other people to wait. They could very easily step aside and let others pass, or continue getting their food and finish the conversation at their table. I'd go ahead and get in front of them.

Answer 4

If a person is rude enough to stop or slow down the line by chatting with a friend it is not improper to say"excuse me" and march on ahead.Although you don't need to be so nice and apologetic it is the best way to make that person realize how rude they are.I think that would take care of the situation.

Answer 5

It's rude from them to just stop in line and start talking, but it's also rude for someone to cut in front of those people without saying anything.
The best thing to do is say "excuse me" and just tell them that the line is moving.

Answer 6

First of all the person who stopped the line to talk was rude and uncaring of those behind them. They should have stepped out of the line to talk to let the rest of you through. If it happens again just say "excuse me the line is backing up".

Answer 7

go infront of them. They're the rude ones by stopping to talk. If they wanted to talk so bad, they could have atleast left the line so that the ones behind them could get their food faster. Lets say you only have 15 minutes of lunch, and that happened. If you waited for them, you wouldn't be able to have anytime to eat. Go around them, and if they have anything to say, tell them: "Im not the rude one here." and walk off.

Answer 8

I'll wait a few seconds, then kind of accidentally bump into the back of the person to get some food, and go "oh excuse me". If they move on then great, if they don't I go around.

Answer 9

I prod them or go around them. They are being inconsiderate in the first place. A buffet table is not the place to chat.

Answer 10

It's rude to hold up the line by talking to someone. I'd move ahead of the offender.

Answer 11

It is not considered rude for you to move along. You are respecting that person's desire to hold a conversation, while at the same time respecting those in line behind you.