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Queues in Poland - everyone in line is sandwiched


businessmaninpl  6 | 26  
3 Nov 2010 /  #1
In most european countries i've visited people form queues with some breathing space between people - about a foot or so at least.

In Poland, it seems that whenever there is a line people are standing such that everyone in line is sandwiched. Lately i've been getting quite annoyed with this as i can't move a muscle without bumping into the person standing both in front and behind me. I've started to ask these people to give me some room - no surprise, i got a lot of odd looks.

Must i be in constant physical contact with an ugly obese polish babka or some guy that smells like he only showers once a month whilst waiting to pay for me groceries?

Are they afraid someone will jump in and steal the last loaf of bread? Do they realise it's not 1980 anymore?
pgtx  29 | 3094  
3 Nov 2010 /  #2
Must i be in constant physical contact with an ugly obese polish babka or some guy that smells like he only showers once a month whilst waiting to pay for me groceries?

i think you should hire a personal shopper... so many problems would be off your shoulders....
strzyga  2 | 990  
3 Nov 2010 /  #3
Old habits die hard.

BTW, are you American? Americans generally have bigger personal space than Europeans.
Patrycja19  61 | 2679  
3 Nov 2010 /  #4
I've started to ask these people to give me some room - no surprise, i got a lot of odd looks.

well a good way to clear some room is farting. if you fart out loud, I guarentee you will
move the crowd in more ways then one. lol

There isnt any laws currently in poland for farting in grocery stores now is there?

I want to make sure I am giving this man sound advice ;) lol
FlaglessPole  4 | 649  
3 Nov 2010 /  #5
Americans generally have bigger personal space than Europeans.

my personal space is oddly enough the same shape, size and volume as my body...
1jola  14 | 1875  
3 Nov 2010 /  #6
In Poland, it seems that whenever there is a line people are standing such that everyone in line is sandwiched.

It is called: Make your buddy smile. :)
Patrycja19  61 | 2679  
3 Nov 2010 /  #7
seriously though, I do have to agree, if people are right up behind me, I wouldnt appreciate
this, it makes you uncomfortable and it happens here too in the states, cause I had someone brush me and I did turn and look at them like back off or else.. but I also felt like

maybe they might try to pick-pocket, and I just dont trust so I put my purse in front of me and lets just say, there has been alot of purse stealing as of late.. more then usual.
OP businessmaninpl  6 | 26  
3 Nov 2010 /  #8
so many problems would be off your shoulders....

I hardly have any problems. This one is a minor one i only experience once or twice per week when buying groceries.

maybe they might try to pick-pocket

This was my biggest concern initially, now i keep my wallet in my front pocket.
z_darius  14 | 3960  
3 Nov 2010 /  #9
BTW, are you American? Americans generally have bigger personal space than Europeans.

That's understandable:

.
OP businessmaninpl  6 | 26  
3 Nov 2010 /  #10
Poles will soon look like the creature on the right. Eating out is becoming more and more popular and lineups at mcdonald's/kfc are longer than most other eateries in shopping malls.

EDIT: Why did the admin/mod change the title of my thread?
1jola  14 | 1875  
3 Nov 2010 /  #11
Must i be in constant physical contact with an ugly obese polish babka

Try lining up behind a hot babe instead.

You will not get used to it, but it will prepare you when you will have Poles and Russians queing up together, say at Sharm airport. That almost comes to handfights.
z_darius  14 | 3960  
3 Nov 2010 /  #12
Poles will soon look like the creature on the right.

Sadly, I think you're right.
Oh, the blessings of the Western cultures.
Wroclaw Boy  
3 Nov 2010 /  #13
Honestly i don't even notice that anymore.
dtaylor5632  18 | 1998  
3 Nov 2010 /  #14
Yeah its one of those things you get used to after a while.
Patrycja19  61 | 2679  
3 Nov 2010 /  #15
That's understandable:

lol you butthead..

This was my biggest concern initially, now i keep my wallet in my front pocket

well, that is prob a good idea, I would go with your instincts, cause most of the time they
are right.

I feel the same way, I have actually downsized my purse to a smaller one which I can
hold more close to me, cause I just dont feel safe as I used to. and I think I might even
by a smaller bag, one that hides under my coat, but I can wear over my shoulder, but
also clip on the my jeans. its safe, and hidden from eyes and hands..

my sister had her purse stolen going shopping and it was pretty traumatic, she couldnt
shop by herself for a while.
Harry  
3 Nov 2010 /  #16
Yeah its one of those things you get used to after a while.

After 15 years I still haven't got used to it.

Although putting your hands in your pockets, elbows out, and then turning round fast tends to make some space.
OP businessmaninpl  6 | 26  
3 Nov 2010 /  #17
Although putting your hands in your pockets, elbows out, and then turning round fast tends to make some space.

Hahaha!
Cardno85  31 | 971  
3 Nov 2010 /  #18
Although putting your hands in your pockets, elbows out, and then turning round fast tends to make some space.

I am picturing you in a supermarket running about spinning like a helicopter and it made me laugh.
1jola  14 | 1875  
3 Nov 2010 /  #19
Although putting your hands in your pockets, elbows out, and then turning round fast tends to make some space.

I'd give a lot to see you pirueting in the queue :)
Havok  10 | 902  
3 Nov 2010 /  #20
Do they realise it's not 1980 anymore?

some things change and some don't, lol my suggestion to you is that you should just relax and fart more often. You'll have all the space you need.

mcdonald's

I was going to ask that question before, why is McDonald's so popular in Europe? That food will kill ya, you know?
convex  20 | 3928  
3 Nov 2010 /  #21
Honestly i don't even notice that anymore.

Was thinking the same thing. People stand close, but they're not pressed up against each other.
1jola  14 | 1875  
3 Nov 2010 /  #22
I bet you guys don't notice anymore how we stare at you. :)
zetigrek  
3 Nov 2010 /  #23
After 15 years I still haven't got used to it.

15 years?! How have you managed?!
dtaylor5632  18 | 1998  
3 Nov 2010 /  #24
Although putting your hands in your pockets, elbows out, and then turning round fast tends to make some space.

Rubbing ur groin while starring at the people next to you also helps.
You can do the same thing on a train if you don't want some smelly beggar sitting next to you by looking them straight in the eye while licking your lips and rubbing the chair they want to sit on....works a treat though might get you into trouble :D
THE HITMAN  - | 236  
3 Nov 2010 /  #25
Don,t worry about those queues, I can stand outside a shop with a three metre pavement in front of me and guarantee that someone walks by and treads on my toes.

I could be walking along the same three metre wide pavement and also give odds on that someone approaching from the opposite direction will home in on me, head-on.

What the hell is it with these people, were they brainwashed to be human torpedoes ?
PennBoy  76 | 2429  
3 Nov 2010 /  #26
Queues in Poland - everyone in line is sandwiched

what are you complaining about you can rub against the girl in front of you
1jola  14 | 1875  
3 Nov 2010 /  #27
No, he is complaining that he has to rub against a fat old women. I already suggested he change his tactics.
PennBoy  76 | 2429  
3 Nov 2010 /  #28
No, he is complaining that he has to rub against a fat old women.

Big girls need love too
wildrover  98 | 4430  
3 Nov 2010 /  #29
someone approaching from the opposite direction will home in on me, head-on.

Perhaps they think your forum name is an invitation...?
pgtx  29 | 3094  
3 Nov 2010 /  #30
Big girls need love too

yes, we need love, and standing in line is our only opportunity to be touched...

Perhaps they think your forum name is an invitation...?

it actually remind me of a bad boy as Bruce Willis or Jason Statham type... ;)

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