What Line?

Even though this native of Texas has now been living in Regensburg for three years, some things still manage to surprise her.

A long line of people stretches from the check-out counter into the middle of the store at Netto Discount Supermarket. The elderly with their carts, mothers with screaming children, students buying beer, and me, well, somewhere in the back.

Finally, one cashier whizzes to the front and opens the next counter. Then you: RUN!! GOD FORBID YOU ARE AT THE END OF THE LINE WITH YOUR BEER AND “FISCSTÄBCHEN”! YOU’RE THE MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER IN ALL OF NETTO SUPERMARKET HISTORY!

The massive crowds of people in disarray, elbowing, dodging, running, even knocking over the elderly, and the first one who makes it to the counter is the first one served. Due to my shock of the unfairness of this, I was once again, at the back of the line.

And this not only happens at Netto, but everywhere else in Germany! At the bakery in the busy early morning hours, shopping centers, the butcher shops, and worst ever: at the pharmacy where you are completely sick, waiting to get your prescription, and an old lady cuts in front of you. Yes, ok, I won’t be so dramatic as to say it happens all the time, but most of the time.

The undying question is: Why don’t people wait in line in Germany? Is this common in other societies as well? These are the questions that swirl in my head as people crowd surf to the check-out counter. As an American, we are very much used to waiting in lines for everything. Many people have told me that Americans are overly polite and sound fake at times. We may have barely run into someone, but drown the person with apologies, “Excuse me! Pardon me! I am very sorry.”

We may sound excessive to some people, but it’s in this shopping chaos, that I miss having someone apologize to me for cutting me off or bumping into me. It’s in this chaos, that I would like to see more people patiently wait in line and the first one who comes is literally the first one served. It took me a while to realize that being pushed over or cut off wasn’t a personal attack on me, but it’s just the way people do things out here. It takes a while to get used to, but I also believe common courtesy goes a long way.

1.12.08 - michael kroll