Excuse Me! I Was Next!

Just a brief comment on something interesting that has happened to me 3 times now in Singapore. I am standing in line for something (to order food, order Starbucks, check out groceries) and then when it is my turn an older Chinese gentleman (maybe not correct word choice here) will walk up to the cashier, ignoring my presence as well as the line behind me, and attempt to order his food or beverage or pay for his groceries. In all 3 situations, the men appeared very annoyed and even surprised when I spoke up and was then waited on instead of him. I assume it is because I am a woman and have less status than a man in Chinese culture. But I still find it so odd that someone sees that there is a line and has no consideration for the fact that others were there first. Also that they aren't embarassed to act that way. A line or "queue" seems to be a pretty universal concept. I can't help but wonder if Chinese women do not generally speak up in this situation and allow the men to cut in front.