Just an observation. I may be incorrect. I am not trying to stereotype any behaviour.
In India, whenever we stand in line, either for railway ticket or at any store, there is a tendency for us to crowd near the window. If I am paying for my ticket or if the clerk is checking the items, the person next in line to me, will stand besides me. That is a normal behaviour and I may have done couple of times when I was in India. Although I have always found it irritating, we Indians are not very particular about maintaining a "queue".
However, after immigrating to Canada and spending 9 years, my habits have changed. In Canada, you maintain a respectable distance between the person, ahead in line of you. You approach the window/counter once the person in front of you is done with his task and left. You do not invade a person's sphere of independence.
In last few days, I had three instances where I have seen people (of Indian origin) seem to continue their "Indian" habits.
I was at CN tower, where there was a young lady behind me. She was there with her friends, and seemed to be an outsider visiting Toronto. She seemed to be that snobby type, chatting with her friends in English and trying hard not to look "desi". As soon as I approached the ticket window, that lady stood right besides me while I continued with the transaction. As soon as I was done paying for my tickets, she shoved her hand into the window while I was taking my hand out. I said "excuse me", to which she gave a very cursory "sorry" reply.
Yesterday, in Brampton library, an Indian couple in front of me repeated the same behaviour. They approached the desk and put all their books on the counter while the librarian was still checking out the previous reader. The librarian made the obvious mistake of checking this couple books too.
The kid behind me did the same thing of standing next to me while I was checking out my books.
Am I being too finicky about "line manners"?
Meghal
Civility and common courtesy is good thing. But when you come to "expect" it so much that you get annoyed each time you are denied that courtesy, then it is not worth it.
I remember when I first found out in Canada drivers thanking you by waving their hands in their rear view mirror when you let them in a lane etc...it was unheard of in India 
Now-a-days no one bothers (I still do it) and it used to piss me of for a while. Not anymore...these are such small inconsequential things that are just a simple waste of your emotions.
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
It remind me of an incident at a airport . I was flying to India and the transit was in Dubai . As soon as the checkin process began people starting pushing even though everyone has seat no's ( unlike DTC bus which works on first come first serve basis ) . A gora was stuck in this crowd and heard saying someone to him that "why dont u push like Indians and get through .
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Growing Old Is Mandatory ..Growing UP is Optional
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 20-08-08 23:47:24
You have assessed the situation well. I agree with you that in India with such a large population unless one 'pushes', one may never move forward (that is my impression, please correct me if iam wrong)
Here - culturally the concept of personal space and having 'zones' is bigger. Most of us would not be comfortable with a stranger any closer than 3 feet from us.
If someone is standing beside you and there is an obvious line, what I do is slightly move my body to block them, therefore effectively putting them 'behind' me.
You can be polite and say "excuse me can you move back (or can I get some space) please?
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~ Morning rain
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 21-08-08 10:21:52
I agree with the Op's observation.
I would like to make my comment as follows:
Here in Canada, we seldom need the help of fellow citizens. It is mostly a straight forward system where you just tell what you want to the teller / cashier/ ticket giver and give your credit card / money / debit card and Bingo ! , you are all done.
However, in India, the Banks and the Railway reservation form is too confusing that sometimes if you are stuck, it actually helps when the fellow person behine you comes and helps you. It is a great form of networking (minus the sweat smell). I have had some of the best conversations of my life by this method.
OTOH, many desi's (incl. me) scowl at each other even if we are meeting at the GCI, Gerrad street or at Desi shops...
This is reality.
Peace
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
I agree with the Op's observation.
I would like to make my comment as follows:
Here in Canada, we seldom need the help of fellow citizens. It is mostly a straight forward system where you just tell what you want to the teller / cashier/ ticket giver and give your credit card / money / debit card and Bingo ! , you are all done.
However, in India, the Banks and the Railway reservation form is too confusing
Peace
What is so confusing about banks and railway reservation system in India? Unlike here, we don't have to take an appointment to open a new account (talk about customer service...especially to a potential new customer).
And about the railway and airline reservation, you can actually just go online and do it....'Just Like Here'. Where is the confusion?
Coming back to the point, yes, people back in India do lack general courtesy. And as someone already pointed out....the main reason being the population. Put one billion people in Canada (or in any other country for that matter) and you will see.
morning_rain:
That's all fine but is it right for these things to get to you? Is it something you would get upset over? Take the original poster's example, you are going to the CN tower...get the ticket, enjoy the experience and go home happy.
Along the same lines, do you get upset if someone honks at you? Aren't we all being too uptight?
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
