Line Cutting...is this rude???

[Geoff_M]

It works very well. When you get in line yor swear a table will not be open, but it is, when you get your food.

It's amazing how well impractical solutions work at times, isn't it?

Same sorta thing for this great and popular downtown Lansing, MI burger place called "Kuwpies". They won't seat you until at least half your party is present. Again, they want to maximize table turns and not bottle-neck things by letting the first person there hold a table.

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
It's amazing how well impractical solutions work at times, isn't it?

It works because that is their policy. Everybody is forced to follow their rules. There is no policy at McDonalds or WDW or most other places. That is why it won't work and is, yes, impractical

And I have never been to any of these handful of local places that are being cited as "proof" so I can't speak to their setup or the volume of customers served at peak times. But I have been to WDW and nobody can argue that, at peak times, the que area of counter service restaurants are very crowded. Now you want to quadruple the number of people in that area?!?!?!? Oh yeah, that's practical. It's the difference between theory and reality.

As Kilee pointed out, you will have an awful lot of spilled trays.

So the only other alternative is to have the entire family wait in line. Here is another major difference between WDW and your local favorite restaurant. Do you really want an army of over-stimulated, hot, exhausted kids standing in line? I bet you don't. Read through the pet peeve thread to find out what people think about this.

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by emmagata


And you asked where should those people wait instead of in line?

How about off to the side until the food comes and then go searching for a table.

Uhmm - let's think about this. We are not talking 1, 2 or even 10 families. We are talking dozens of families. That must be one big "side" that you're talking about. Again, theory vs reality

 

[mog]

I don't usually post to these hot topic debates, but here I go...


Here is a simplified example of how I see the line cutting debate:

Let's say I go to get in line for a ride or show and I am the 11th person in the line (10 people in front of me). If a mom and child in front of me leave and go potty and come back 10 minutes later, I am still the 11th person in line - nothing has changed and I see no problem with that.
Now what if I'm in that line for 10 or 20 minutes and THEN a mom and child (who were not originally in line) come and join hubby/daddy in line...now I'm the 13th person in line and that has changed my spot and I would consider that line cutting. Maybe that still doesn't sound so bad, but what if moms/children join 3 of the dad's in front of me - now I'm the 17th person in line...I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this.
To me there is a definite difference in these two scenarios and looking at it this way, I would say the original poster falls into the second category which I think would be unfair to the people behind them in line.

 

[Geoff_M]

It works because that is their policy. Everybody is forced to follow their rules.

You're 100% correct. It works everytime it's tried. The concept works. More table turns = less waiting time for everyone. Table "claiming" means guaranteed shorter wait for you, but likely longer wait times for others. Your Honor, I rest my case.

But I have been to WDW and nobody can argue that, at peak times, the que area of counter service restaurants are very crowded. Now you want to quadruple the number of people in that area?!?!?!? Oh yeah, that's practical.

There's a lot of assumptions in your "quadruple" claim. For starters, you assume that right now all parties send one person to the line and the others to the table. The people I labeled as "squatters" at the DTD McD's were sitting all alone. I could tell by the straws, napkins, and ketchup they had with them that they weren't part of a "party of two". It was apparent that one parent/grandparent claimed the table while the adult with the money was standing in line with the kids so the one adult didn't have to memorize everyone's order. So the incremental crowd in the ordering area would be nowhere that large if people didn't claim tables. You also have to subtract from that crowd the number of people that would no longer be milling around that area with food in hands because they couldn't find an open table due to the fact that they were being "held".

As Kilee pointed out, you will have an awful lot of spilled trays.

Well, as I stood there with my tray in my hands while we waited for a table I remember having to take evasive measures to avoid a couple of kids speeding past me... So I'd say it's probably an even trade-off.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by Mike
Uhmm - let's think about this. We are not talking 1, 2 or even 10 families. We are talking dozens of families. That must be one big "side" that you're talking about. Again, theory vs reality

I think you're making a big assumption that each one of the mass of people standing in line represents just one person (or two) out of a larger family.


Just as you don't understand why I feel it's rude to grab a table beforehand, I don't understand why some feel the need to grab a table ahead of those that were there first.

If it's first come first served while you're standing in line for to get your food, why shouldn't it be first come first served to get a table?

I'm sure that you wouldn' think of stepping in front of someone that's already in line for food.


Plus, I take offense when you say that those that don't grab a table first aren't smart enough to figure things out.

It's not that we have thought of that, it's just that we are being courteous to those people that were in line ahead of us and to get first crack at a table.


Sadly, no matter how it's presented to you, you will always feel that you should be able to grab a table ahead of someone that was in line before you because you were smarter.

 

[Mike]

mog,
In general I agree with everything that you said. However, for this ride, I still would not classify this as line cutting for one simple reason. They are not taking up any additional Honey Pots. For that family's Honey Pot, it doesn't matter to me if there is 1, 2, 3, or 4 people in it. So in this case, for this particular ride, it still would not bother me because the amount of time I have to wait has not been changed (ie I would be getting in the same Honey Pot no matter what).
Now I can understand why people would be upset if they knew the reason why these people were entering the line late.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by Mike
mog,
In general I agree with everything that you said. However, for this ride, I still would not classify this as line cutting for one simple reason. They are not taking up any additional Honey Pots. For that family's Honey Pot, it doesn't matter to me if there is 1, 2, 3, or 4 people in it. So in this case, for this particular ride, it still would not bother me because the amount of time I have to wait has not been changed (ie I would be getting in the same Honey Pot no matter what).
Now I can understand why people would be upset if they knew the reason why these people were entering the line late.

Seems funny to me that as long as your wait time is not affected while waiting in line for a ride but would be upset if your wait time was affected by someone cutting in line that you don't apply the same standards to the food ordering/eating process.

 

[Geoff_M]

Originally posted by emmagata
Seems funny to me that as long as your wait time is not affected while waiting in line for a ride but would be upset if your wait time was affected by someone cutting in line that you don't apply the same standards to the food ordering/eating process.

He shoots!!! He scores!!!!!!

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by emmagata
If it's first come first served while you're standing in line for to get your food, why shouldn't it be first come first served to get a table?

Two totally different events - your spot in line to order food does not entitle you to the next available table. It entitles you to be the next one to order your food.

Plus, I take offense when you say that those that don't grab a table first aren't smart enough to figure things out.

Well I certainly wouldn't want to offend you. How about we replace the word smarter with "more efficient".

It's not that we have thought of that, it's just that we are being courteous to those people that were in line ahead of us and to get first crack at a table.

Has nothing to do with being courteous. I am a very courteous person. Always have been, always will be. And I see to it that my kids are courteous to others at all times. This has to do with being the "s" word - or efficient if you like. And I am being courteous and, uhm, "s" by not blocking up the entire que area with my three kids standing around. Because of courteous people like us, the people carrying their trays don't have to squeeze through crowds and dodge 3 ft kids who they may not see while holding a tray as they go on their way to find any number of tables that are presently being vacated.

Sadly, no matter how it's presented to you, you will always feel that you should be able to grab a table ahead of someone that was in line before you because you were smarter.

This is not immoral or wrong or questionable. This is how the system works. If you think you are being courteous by not going to a table, then by all means don't. That is your choice. But the fact is hardly anybody else feels the same way. How do I know this? Next time you are there just take a look around. You will see almost every party split up and get a table. You will not see a whole bunch of "courteous" people standing around waiting for their food before they go to a table. It just doesn't happen. These are the cold hard facts. You can intrepret and judge any way you like.

What I find to be sad is how you glaringly avoid the main point of my argument. Were are all these people supposed to go?

 

[Mike]

Originally posted by emmagata
Seems funny to me that as long as your wait time is not affected while waiting in line for a ride but would be upset if your wait time was affected by someone cutting in line that you don't apply the same standards to the food ordering/eating process.

Gee, let me see. Could it be that there is no line for tables? Yes I think that is it. If I were the only one doing this then yes you would be correct. If there was a stated policy or rule or accepted practice then you you would be correct.

But alas, there isn't so you're not.

You two kill me. I just love the idealists behind the keyboard.

 

[Geoff_M]

Two totally different events - your spot in line to order food does not entitle you to the next available table. It entitles you to be the next one to order your food.

The difference being that line cutting is against policy, and table "claiming" is not. If line cutting were not against policy, would you then also advocate it's use?

How about we replace the word smarter with "more efficient".

"More efficient" for you, at the likely expense of others.

And I am being courteous and, uhm, "s" by not blocking up the entire que area with my three kids standing around. Because of courteous people like us, the people carrying their trays don't have to squeeze through crowds and dodge 3 ft kids who they may not see while holding a tray as they go on their way to find any number of tables that are presently being vacated.

It's nice to know that you're doing it out of concern for the rest of us.

What I find to be sad is how you glaringly avoid the main point of my argument. Were are all these people supposed to go?

Again, what sea of humanity are you talking about. At that DTD McD's there were a half dozen or so people that had claimed six tables. They could have moved to the ordering area and it wouldn't have made a dent in the elbow room... and for starters my family of five could have sat down while the food was hot. That's a net gain of one whole person. That's not a quadrupling.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by Mike

What I find to be sad is how you glaringly avoid the main point of my argument. Were are all these people supposed to go?

It appears you missed the first part of my message and that of Geoff_M's post that we both said we highly doubt that all those people standing in line represent one or two persons from a larger group.

As Geoff_M pointed out it's typical to see one or two "squatters" with a arm full eating apparatus sitting at table waiting for the rest of the group.

If that's the case, and there isn't a zillion people standing off to the side, where are they?

They're in line.

And as to your assertion that "Next time you are there just take a look around. You will see almost every party split up and get a table.",

I don't really see that happen as much as you do.

If, in your opinion, that's "the way it is", then it only proves that there are more inconsiderate people out there than I thought.

 

[Mike]

Good Night Geoff!!!!!!! You're right. What was I thinking

 

[Geoff_M]

You two kill me. I just love the idealists behind the keyboard.

I also live it in the real world and my wife and I teach it to our children.

 

[beattyfamily]

I think this topic of table saving should definitely be a poll and question in the debate board! It's perfect!

My bet is that the majority will be 'for' saving a table and think that there's nothing wrong with it, and that's it's the normal thing to do in their area and NOT considered rude...

Anyone want to post this topic there and see where the majority is on this subject??

I'd be VERY interested to find out!

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
As for the comments about children having to go to the bathroom and plan ahead/etc- do you have children? Did they NEVER say they didn't have to go until you'd been in line a few minutes later then all the sudden they had to go RIGHT THEN? Well if not, you must have gloriously perfect children. LOL
On our last trip my son had just turned 5 and I'm so sorry but he still had a small bladder or something. He was constantly needing to go to the bathroom. Yes, we asked before every line we got into but the playhouse disney one we got in line, about 5 minutes passed and all the sudden he had to go RIGHT THEN.

I'm not sure if your comment was directed at me or someone else but I'll answer. Yes, I have young children, ages 3 and 6. I guess the difference with us is that we don't just ASK between rides if they need to go to the bathroom, we just go. What sane young child would CHOOSE to take a break from all the fun to make a bathroom stop unless things were desperate? So, no, my kids aren't perfect, we just plan ahead.

Peggy

 

[Pirate Mickey]

Originally posted by Mom2Em
Whether or not I agree, here is the way I think... If you have to question whether what you are doing is right or not, then don't do it... That's always been my way of handling situations such as these...

Well said!
That will take away the guilt you may inflict on yourself too...

 

[safetymom]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=399261

The poll is up on the debate board. Let the voting begin!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by safetymom
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=399261

The poll is up on the debate board. Let the voting begin!!!

Thanks!