Cutting in line.

I am a huge fan of ABC's The Talk.  Today, they discussed the 84-year-old Florida woman who won the largest jackpot in Powerball history after she cut in front of another woman in line.    The lady whose place in line was jacked was polite enough to allow the elderly patron to buy her ticket.  The ladies of The Talk gave their take on cutting in line, all hilarious, of course. "Hey, b!t@h!" is what the woman who tried to cut in front of Sheryl Underwood was met with. Turns out Sheryl was in the communion line. I might have let that one slide. Surprisingly, Sharon Osbourne (who can do no wrong in my estimation) claimed to be quite the little line cutter. Anyhow, it all reminded me of one of the many times someone cut in line after I had been patiently waiting on aching feet.  That particular day, it was not pretty.

I walked into the post office and observed a line of people waiting to be served and two women filing out forms at an island counter, clearly not in line.  The thought that these chicks would assume that they had the right to cut in front of me immediately came to mind. Yes, I'm psychic, though only slightly, if you were wondering.  I decided on the spot that the first one to cut in front of me would be allowed to do so with no objections from me.  That would be my good deed for the day.  So, one woman (who appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties and clearly felt entitled), stepped in front of me without so much as an "excuse me" and never even looked back.  Oh, indeed, she was extremely rude, but I had already anticipated that as well and so was free to ignore her.

The second woman, who was at least my age but perhaps a few years older, attempted to step in front of me.  I moved forward, effectively blocking her attempt.  She acted as though she were about to try again at which time, I positioned myself so that she had no room to advance.

"You need to get some courtesy!" She yelled.  "I was in line."

"You weren't in line when I came in.  You were at the island counter filing out forms," I responded.

She repeated that I needed to get some courtesy and we went back and forth for a minute until I finally told her that she needed to get her crap (except I used that other term instead) together before she got there.  I was about to get even uglier when, as I turned to look at her, I saw the long line of people who had apparently gotten in line behind me that I hadn't realized were there.  Trust, me, many times in the past (and I do mean many) I did not give a rats behind about having an impromptu audience, but this day was different.  I would have to say that it was the two elderly women within earshot that made me rethink the profanity laced tirade I was about to hurl at this broad.  She had shut up by this time so I was willing to settle for the fact that I was next up to the service counter and she was two places behind me.  The man behind me did not let her in, either.  The man behind him must have felt sorry for her and allowed her to step in front of him.

If you are one of those people who think that you have the right to cut in line, don't assume that everyone is going to respond to your rudeness with polite quietness.  Some days I do but even I don't always know which days I won't.  You will get no apology from me for what happens thereafter.  I'm nice but I'm not a pushover.

Peace.

When was the last time? Revisited

When was the last time you...

> Spoke the truth in spite of possible consequences?

> Extended a helping hand to someone in need?

> Actively pursued your big dream?

> Complimented someone?

> Let a user know that your kindness does not equal weakness?

> Stepped into the spotlight?

> Donated to a charity?

> Enjoyed a long walk?

> Tried something new?

> Took a day off from your job realizing that it will be there even when you're not?

> Asked out that person you've been admiring from a distance?

> Considered the other person's position or situation?

> Allowed yourself to relax and maybe even enjoy?

> Apologized because you were wrong?

> Gave a firm "No!" to an inappropriate offer?

> Took stock of all the good things in your life?

> Embraced the fact that life goes on whether you like it or not, with or without you?

> Listened and actually heard?

> Got what you deserved?

> Served up a little mercy?

Copyright © 2013 Sunida E. York