Do people queue in Germany?

Question

In the UK and Nordic countries, people are religious about queuing. In Italy and the Middle East, they don't bother. In Spain, there's an order, but they don't wait in line. But what's the situation in Germany? Do people wait in line for things? And if not, what do they do?

Answer 1

If you're looking for UK style queues in Germany, forget it. Germans do generally make an attempt at forming a queue but their discipline wanes as time goes by. Then the rude German will come out and start plotting ways to cut in line. And they grumble. Boy do they grumble.

Answer 2

The Germans stay in line and wait, but not long, they are getting very unfriendly and nervous. I'm seeing often this, they ignore you and just go to the front, I'm glad I'm speaking German, they hear from me soon is possible.

Answer 3

Well.. I live in Germany and have travelled to the UK many times. In general I'd say, yes, we sort of wait in line, but with an annoying impatience and a tendency to find a quicker way by trying to cut the queue. Plus: in Germany people only queue up, if they have to: e.g. at the check-out, etc. Noone would bother to queue whilst waiting for a bus. As soon as the bus stops, those that are closest to the entrance hurry to get in. In Germany you hear conversation like: nooo, I think you will have to admit that I was next, e.g. when customers are in a bakery and all stand next to each other, rather than standing in line (unless they have to). I know, I am just slightly exaggerating, but that is the impression you have, once you've experienced British queuing and politeness ;-)

dbdoit: LOL - just read your answer, know exactly what you're talking about. Once we were waiting IN LINE in a room with 3 cash machines. An elderly lady with a Zimmer-frame would have been next. She was of course, a bit slow... a guy in a business-suit rushed past her and wanted to insert his card into the machine. Me and another young girl stopped him from doing so (just with friendly but determining words) - making sure the elderly lady would be next. He was shouting at us, calling us idiots, holding him up, time is money, bla bla.... My boyfriend who had patiently waited aside walked up to him and asked him to lower his voice and show some respect. When this guy walked away he shouted: bunch of lunatics.

Answer 4

Hi! I'm German, living in Germany. We do stand in line here and wait till it's our turn, unless somebody says we can go ahead in front of them. The only time you see ppl not queuing is when school kids are trying to get on a bus.

Answer 5

They definitely wait in line, and nobody dares to push in to the queue! Very orderly.

If you want chaos and ignorance, go to China. They just don't give a sh*t, and will push in at the head of a queue and get quite upset when challenged about their rudeness.

Answer 6

If they do, they do not do it where I live.

Answer 7

German people do stand in line if they have to. They might get a little unpatient, but well, that's how it is. Of course you will see a few people pushing, but mostly it's not the Germans but the other cultures that live there. Talking about pushing to get into a bus aso, most of the times it;s the kids, not the grown ups. I;d say the Germans are very friendly when it comes to wait. With a few exceptions.

Answer 8

Depends what the line is for and where you are? Yes, in general Germans do 'queue' or line up in an orderly fashion. The Post Offices, Banks, Large Stores, etc all have a system for lining up.

BUT, as mentioned in other answers if a 'queue' is not set up or clearly laid out, then it is a mob scene. In the Metro area of Frankfurt at the bakeries for example the person working will say 'Who's Next?'(or something 'friendly' like that) if you do not answer right away there will be a German there who will just start ordering. I used to get frustrated about this and even got into several arguments. The German would answer that I was not paying attention or I should learn proper German so I know what is being said to me, or my favorite; I am in a rush and I do not have time to wait. In order words the German cuts in line, but it is My Fault.

Oh(doch) I know people will write that has NEVER happened to them and Germans are so polite and friendly. That is very true when you are out in the country. The little town where I live everybody lines up in an orderly fashion.

But, I must say that even in America the same is true. Big city rudeness and small town politeness is the norm.

Answer 9

Hi,

I'm an American living in Germany. from a US point of view what they do here ist definately not standing in line or waiting their turn. It's a pushing and pulling and elbowing no matter if bording a bus or at a bakery shop. What gets on your nerves most though is that the shopkeepers dont care either. You'd think they could keep an eye on who's really next in a small store but no way. It's really a shame these bad manners.

Answer 10

Italians queue better than Germans. They like to push and pull  and jump the line.  It's each man for himself.

Answer 11

I spent sometime in Germany and I paid attention to their lining-up-habits, so to speak.  Its quite humorous to me actually.  They make lovely courteous lines for some things- mainly official stuff like at the Bahn, Bank, or Grocery store.  No cutting, no pushing, very normal.  But, if its just a cart selling snack food at a fair, a concert, or some other informal event there is no such thing as a line. Its a blob of people standing as close to the thing they are trying to get to as possible. However, no one was ever rude to me (pushing shoving etc) they just politely surged en-mass to their goal.

Answer 12

In der faterland der ist no queues, or de lines too, so der ist no von to to be join de line wit.

duz dist ansa yor qvestion svinen.?