I am curious to know - what would you do/say in this situation??

I am standing in a long line . There are 9 people in front of me and 1 person behind me. I step out of the line while saying "I'll be right back" I come back to my spot and by now there are 3 people ahead of me and 4 behind me. (the line isn't really a neat one so a new person can't tell who's who in the line) About 10 minutes later (I would be the next person to be called) a new person comes in and asks "who's next and I am after who?" a lady answers: "the lady in red is next (the person right behind me) and the lady in yellow (the fourth person behind me) is the last one so you'll be after her"

I corrected her in saying that I am the next person and yes, that she's after the lady in yellow. The lady answers: "you left the line and didn't make a new line"
My answer: "I came back to the line way before my turn was up so I should be able to keep my spot and continue where I was. That's why I didn't make a new line" Her answer still "you left your spot you lost it"... So by this time, I am even behind the lady who came only a minute ago and I've been there almost an hour. Feeling angry, I presented the situation to a French friend and ask him what he thought (I didn't tell him I was the person in the situation) His answer: "the person loses the spot as soon as he/she leaves it and needs to make a new line"
I beg to differ ... don't they know how to utilize the time productively (better) to kill time in line? Am I alone on this thinking or is it just the French way?

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Comment by Kirsten Monteil on February 12, 2012 at 18:30: I think this issue is international. I've lived in Italy, the States, and spent a lot of time in France doing everyday things which included standing in line. I think that everywhere you go, people either will be polite, nasty, or somewhere in between.

Legally, (I know there is not a law governing this, LOL), I think even if you were there for a long time and had to step out, you would technically lose your spot. If the person in back of you is feeling magnanimous, they might let you back in line. I've found myself from time to time in this position.

If I think I'll be quick about it, I'll ask 'permission' to the person in back of me, (loud enough for others to hear also), If they would 'save' my spot for me while I 'quickly' do the thing I need to do. If they agree, they have committed to 'do' a certain job, they are obliged to do it. Also, other people have heard all this, so if they renege, the others, (who undoubtedly in their boredom are totally paying attention at this point), might intervene on my behalf. BTW, when I ask 'permission' to step out and get their approval, if they speak under their breath so no one can hear them, I pretend or even declare that I am hard of hearing and get them to repeat it more loudly. Several times, if need be.

By using this technique, I also ensure my backers, (the others in line, my witnesses), to back me up if any Johnny-come-latelys have appeared in the interim. After all this, if they still don't let you back in, you have proof positive that they are a full fledged a-hole and thus will get what's coming to them. I might just notice some horrid stain on the back of their pants. Of course, you definitely have to do all this while smiling and about the stain, feign embarrassment and concern for them. They won't be able to check it without making a total ass of themselves. And even if they do, you just say, 'no, lower', or something like that.

When they finally can get to the toilet, they'll see that there's no stain at all, and you'll have you vengeance, no harm, no foul. Well it may be a bit foul, but all good things come to those who wait.

Comment by Andrew Hearne on February 3, 2012 at 11:18: ;-D

Comment by Jacqueline Issenmann on February 3, 2012 at 11:03: Andrew, I learned the hard way! Seems like it is "The French Way" cos even when I presented my "gripe" to the directrice she smiled awkwardly and gave me "you're out of your mind" look while shrugging her shoulders! From now on, I'll keep this in mind next time I am in line ...

Comment by Andrew Hearne on February 3, 2012 at 10:47: Hi Jacqueline, queueing in France is a pain but the rules are very simple (apart from the old biddies who always try to ignore everyone and go straight to the counter!), as soon as someone leaves the queue, they're out of it and have to join the back of the queue if they come back. If the queue's too long I simply come back later or another day if I can, not always possible I know.

Comment by Jacqueline Issenmann on February 2, 2012 at 17:28: If I were the person in front of you but step away without you knowing it and when I come back in line to take back the spot see that you are there then I'd say "Excuse me (with the friendliest smile), but I was in front of you; I stepped out real quick just to say hi to a friend. Can I please take my place back?" I am sure even if I lied to you, you'd be gladly give the spot to me as I asked you nicely, wouldn't you??

Or.... You knew that she was lying through her teeth and rudely insisted on taking the spot you'd give it to her anyway, right? As ther'e's no point in arguing and wasting your good energy on someone like her (French or NOT)

Comment by Alexander Keith Watson on February 2, 2012 at 17:03: One of the things I love about going back to Britain is the relaxed way in which people queue up. I don't remember anyone over there queue-jumping. In France there is a horizontal aspect to queues with people drawing to the same level as you, just to see whats going on at the front of the queue and to get worked up about it. There are also the other ones who park themselves just behind your left shoulder and sigh or go 'pff' every 20 seconds in your ear, which of course makes the queue go a whole lot faster. I managed to get accused of insulting somebody last week at the parents' evening at my son's collège because, I joined the back of the queue, and someone barged infront of me explaining that she had just gone off to see 'une copine' and was coming back to retake her rightful place, when I suggested that in the doubt she might be sweet enough to trundle off to the back, she blew her stack on me. No I don't really understand or like queueing in France, but apart from being annoying, I suppose that it is n't all that important.