Queuing, or lining up, for many things here, is an art in not caring about who really was there first and forfeiting your personal space. Far from what I am used to in the U.S. (and even further from what you may experience in Britain), there are very few organized lines here. For example:
The Metro. People start moving towards the edge of the platform as the train approaches. Unlike BART (SF's version of the Metro) there is no indication of where the doors will be when the train stops. So, you get up to the edge and hope for the best - that the doors will be right in front of you. If they are not, you start pushing your way towards them. Once the train stops everyone waiting to board is packed in front of the doors (during the busy times of course). People need to exit the train, you say? Who cares about them?! I need to get in first so I can have the best chance at a seat or at least a decent place to stand.
Elevators. Ok, we know where the doors will open in this circumstance, so slightly less pushing. Still don't give a rats ass about those who have to get off, although ultimately a small area is made to let them pass. Can't get on otherwise... Using crutches, in a wheelchair, or otherwise obviously disabled? Good luck anyone making sure you get on. You could be the first person waiting in front of a back of elevators (at my university for example) and still not make it on to the next available lift. People watch the floor indicator, adjusting position from door to door as necessary based on which will most likely arrive next. I usually walk the 140 steps up to the 6th floor to avoid this nonsense.
Customer service windows. When you are at a window for service that doesn't require you to take a number, get ready to disregard all that you have been taught. I can't say whether I am proud or saddened by the fact that, given the right mood, I can work my way through a crowd (even if I am the last one there) just to get my business done. It's particularly bad at the copy center at the University.
Busses. Similar to elevators, they don't really care about who was there first. Again, typically bad at the University, which is the beginning of the line and usually many students waiting. Don't get the wrong impression - you might think it's just students who act like this. Nope.
Fortunately the post office and banks utilize the "take a number" machines. Banks get quite busy here as people deal mostly in cash - at Vasilis' bank I've never seen less than 10 people waiting. Good news is that chairs are provided. Similarly the post offices are quite busy, that's where we pay all of our bills in addition to regular PO duties that you would recognize, and they've got chairs as well. Of course, even requiring a number doesn't stop the random person from cutting in on one's time and asking a question - sometimes resulting in them getting taken care of immediately and foregoing the waiting. I wish I knew what they were asking about so could better ascertain whether I would consider it a "cutable" situation.
So this moment of brightness I was referring to at the beginning. I arrived at the post office today and the number machine was being worked on. There were about 5 people already in there and I had followed in a Philippina nanny and her cute little blond charge in a stroller. Taking a moment to figure out what the replacement system, knowing who came before you, I sat down. This thankfully allowed us to avoid lining up or crowding the two windows.
Eventually the gentleman fixed the machine and began distributing numbers to those who had initially been waiting - all done in a well mannered fashion. Knowing that myself and the nanny were next, I approached the machine. He then stopped giving them out, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves in deciphering the order of who's next. Fortunately, I got to it first, took a number for the nanny (she obviously wasn't going to jump in for herself) and then one for me. Whew - all set now.
So, not only had everyone handled themselves civilly in a situation that I've seen bring on heated exchanges, then something else happened. A older, quite crippled man shuffled in, his back at nearly a 90 degree angle with the floor. He didn't take a number, but slowly made his way to the windows, obviously expecting to immediately advance to the front of the order. I wasn't sure how this was going to play out. I was certainly prepared to let him go before me, and guessed the nanny, who was up next, would do the same. As the next window opened, someone else pointed out to the employee that he was next (wasn't that easy to see him) and he got his turn. I was happy to see that everyone treated him with respect. I hadn't necessarily thought they wouldn't, but I haven't ceased being surprised by people here.
Of course, to wrap this whole post office experience up, as I was approaching the door to leave, and older gentleman was coming in. Rather than holding the door for me, he was actually closing it behind him as I tried to walk through. Ah, yes - here is the behavior I recognize!
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