Check how the queue works
Many banks, public offices, clinics and other service counters use numbered tickets. Look for a dispenser near the entrance or ask at reception. Choose the service you need, keep the ticket and watch for your number on the display.
Some appointments require check-in even if you booked in advance. Others use a separate queue for each service. Standing at an empty counter does not necessarily mean you will be served next.
If the instructions are unclear, show your booking or explain the service you need to a member of staff.
At a restaurant
A busy restaurant may use a tablet, an app or a paper list for waiting parties. Register your party size and ask how you will be called. If the system requires a phone number you cannot use, ask staff whether there is another way to join.
Confirm whether you need to remain nearby and how long you have to return when called. People outside may already be registered, while a restaurant with no visible line may still have a waiting list.
CatchTable is a restaurant booking and waitlist service used by some venues. Its features and the restaurant's arrangements can differ, so follow the instructions for that particular location.
On subway platforms
Stand behind the safety line and to the side of the doors, using queue markings where provided. Leave the middle clear for passengers to get off before you board.
Do not push into a full carriage or try to board after the doors begin closing. Wait for the next train if there is not enough room.
Have your fare card or ticket ready before reaching the gate. If it does not work, move out of the flow when safe and ask station staff for help.
At bus stops
Queue arrangements vary by stop. Some have a clear line or a marked boarding point for each route; others serve several buses from a shared area.
Check the route number, respect people who have been waiting and follow the driver's or staff's instructions. Do not assume that the absence of a painted line gives you priority over others.
At a terminal, check the bay and departure information. A ticket or reservation may determine your bus, but you still need to follow its boarding arrangements.
At other entrances and counters
For lifts, stand clear and let people out first. At a ticket window, follow the marked queue. At a market stall where the order is unclear, ask whether someone is waiting before you.
Follow directional arrows in station corridors and keep entrances clear. Right-side walking is commonly encouraged, but local signs and the immediate flow matter.
If someone cuts ahead, you can politely explain that you are waiting or ask staff to clarify the order. Do not attribute the behaviour to their age or nationality, and avoid turning a minor dispute into a confrontation.
