The sneaky way to skip lines at airports without annoying other passengers
AN ETIQUETTE expert has discovered the best way to avoid queues at the airport without disturbing other passengers.
People pushing in front of you can be very annoying, especially if you’ve been waiting in line for a long time.
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However, there are special circumstances in which it is not possible to go to the back of the queue.
In this case, Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette consultant, explained that you should always ask instead of just barging in, and that you should always give a good reason.
For example, if you are in a rush to get to your boarding gate on time, you can always explain and let people know why you are being rude.
she said Seattle Times: “Although it’s never okay to follow the rules, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask. We know from psychological studies that people are more likely to comply with a request if a reason is given.
Jodi also said it’s a good idea to ask airport staff if you can push forward, especially in situations where waiting in line could mean missing your flight.
There are also rules for dealing with people who intrude, although they may not give people the punishment they would like to see as line cutters.
Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert who runs the Protocol School of Texas, also spoke to The Seattle Times.
She said it is always best to avoid confrontation when someone is pushing forward, claiming most people who intentionally push forward are “very aggressive and easily agitated.”
Anyone who insists on saying something should explain where the end of the line is in a friendly, non-confrontational tone.
Another tricky issue when queuing is reserving seats for other people.
Some people don’t mind if one person saves a spot for other people in line, but from an etiquette perspective, that’s not the right thing to do.
This is what etiquette expert William Hanson tells BBC News a discussion on the topic: “Father will stand in line and when he gets closer to the front, the whole family will join in.”
“This is incredibly bad manners and should not be encouraged.”
William also said there is a “use it or lose it” rule for people standing alone in line, even if you have to use the restroom.
He said people are unable to ask strangers to stand in line for them, adding: “If you’re the only person, you can’t do it.”
“You need to do some bladder control. Do a little bladder planning beforehand: “Do I need to use the restroom before I join this queue?” “Yes, I’m leaving now,” rather than expecting someone to take your place.”
This is now the magic word that stops people from reclining their seats during flights.
And here are the etiquette rules for changing seats during the flight.
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