WWYD: Who's turn is it?

tolygal

So, I'm torn as to whether I did the right thing or not, and I'm wondering what you would have done. Here's the scenario....

We have a microwave here at work where we can warm our lunch. Today I got there and there were two people in front of me. One lady who had her stuff in warming at the time and one more waiting in line. So... I set my food down on the counter above the microwave and walked to the bathroom (which is in the same area - 10 steps away). When I came back out, the 2nd lady had her stuff in the microwave, but there was one more lady waiting. I picked up my dish that I had set down and chatted with the girl in front of me while she finished warming her food.

I'm torn - I feel like it could be my turn because I had arrived before her (and my food was there, sort of in line for me). But then again, I stepped away, so maybe it really wasn't my turn. Now, if the 2nd lady was done and gone, I would never expect someone to wait for me to get back before starting (even though my dish was there waiting). But since they were still going (still had 3 minutes left) I wasn't sure of the right thing to do ... I did go next because the lady didn't jump in there and I gave a half a pause (and didn't just rush right in). But after I started the microwave (1 minute, 30 seconds - so not too long), she stepped away (I assume to go up to the next floor to check out that microwave).

Anyway - it's kind of eating at me that maybe I did the wrong thing and I'm feeling pretty guilty about it, so I'm looking for opinions. Put yourself in my place - what would you do? Put yourself in the other persons place - what would you expect?

sarah44254

Don't let it eat at you. If she was insulted it was her place to tell you so. Going by that, you have no reason to worry.

I believe that if you stepped out of line to the bathroom, you do lose your place. If you feel differently, it is solved by simply saying to the woman 'behind' you, "Do you mind if I go ahead?"

Putting myself in your place, I personally would have asked if I could use the micro before her.
Putting myself in her place, I would have let you go ahead of me even if you didn't ask, unless I was having an ultra-crabby day!

Either way, it seems you are fine as she didn't mention any dislike for the situation. My personal opinion is always to be verbal about confusions like this, asking opinions of others in line and working things out to benefit all is easier when we speak to each other rather than assume.

NoAdditives

I probably would have done exactly what you did. Your food "saved your place" and since the woman in front of you was still using the microwave I think you were just fine is using it after her.

new_me_9_67

If all else fails fight it out...Just kidding.
You could argue both sides all day long as to weather you should have let her go first or not. If she left to go elsewhere it is probably bothering her as well. But one thing I can tell you is that if it's bugging you enough to seek others' opinions then maybe you should just clear the air with her and just tell her that you didn't just want to assume that she knew you were next. It will probably make both of you feel better about this and not create any tension later on.

Just my humble opinion

mommared53

Tonya, I probably would have done the same thing you did. Having your food out and waiting shows that you were already in line before you stepped away. If I had been in the position of the lady behind you, I would have assumed you were waiting for the microwave before I got there because your food was out. I say, don't worry about it.