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Q: Do you ever push line cutters out of the way on the subway?
I've gotten use to the pushing and shoving, but what still drives me crazy is the people who won't stand in line (even if its a chaotic line with no real order) and will just wait until the doors open and then rush in from the side quickly cutting in front of EVERYONE that was in line.
When you see this do you ever push them out of the way? I usually don't because I'm a nice guy but recently I did.
I had been working all day and was tired, I let 2 different trains go by so I could be first in line to to guarantee a seat for myself. Then right before the doors are about to open I see a guy walk up and start nudging his way between me and the door, knowing what was about to happen I decided that when the doors opened I was going to push him back.
When I did this everyone ended up acting like I was the asshole. The guy got really angry and started yelling at me etc etc. It ended up turning into a very childish argument of him asking why am I so deserving of a seat and me asking why is he so deserving of a seat after I've been waiting in line for one and he hasn't. This went on for about 5 minutes until at the next stop a kid got on the subway and I gave my seat up to the kid. After that the guy shut up for some reason.
Any similar experiences for you guys. I've been in China for a few years and this was the first time I actually ended up getting in a shouting match on the subway. I feel was I justified in my actions, but what do you guys think? Was I in the wrong?
You just gotta be a bit more subtle with it. If you make it obvious to everyone what you're doing, then the guy that gets pushed is gonna lose face. Even though he's in the wrong by queue-cutting, he will, by cultural necessity, have to confront you. Just try to get your shoulder in front, and don't extend your arms out too much. Try not to cause them to fall or be pushed off balance. Just focus on being first, and getting to your seat. Difficult, but doable, depending on your size advantage 
From the very short time I've been here, I quickly learned that there is no such thing as winning an argument with a random Chinese person you don't know. If that's the case, then why even bother starting one in the first place? Wear earbuds the whole time and act like you can't hear him. It's hard for someone to get in an argument with you when you're not paying attention to him.
Good advice from both of you. Especially about ignoring arguements or acting like you can't understand/hear them. I see too many foreigners far too eager to react to someone yelling at them, In China if you're a foreigner you really do need to learn to swallow your proud and let it go because you're never going to "win".
I guess this was just a special day where I hit my breaking point. The wear and tear of years on packed subways can do that to anyone at some point I suppose.
You did the right thing in standing up for yourself. Keep it up.
Why push you should have tripped! Next time instead of using your hands use your feet it's more unexpected. Everybody expects the pushing but it's the tripping that you should try in order to really get their attention. Plus that way they won't know who really did it....
I often have the similar problem on the busses. On the serviced busses they open both the side door and front door, and people can go in and out of both. One thing is getting on board the bus. But when getting off, I have now officially turned into "that guy" who pushes people away, specifically the people who are pushing hard to get in, instead of waiting a couple of seconds and let people get out.
SoFresh:
Trying to get OFF is by the worst in many places. I like to think I'm a strong guy but there's been a few cases where I failed at pushing my way off a packed subway with a mad hoard of people pushing to get in the subway.
Busses are more packed I feel but slightly easier to get off in the sense that you can always start yelling for the driver not to close the doors yet.
Scandinavian:
I have the advantage being tall and almost 100Kg, if I move, people around me move
A point to remember, if someone starts shouting / arguing with you THEY have lost face, if you argue back YOU also lose face and they gain some. Shove the a$$hat out of the way, (he loses massive face), take your seat, allow him to shout (he loses more face) and totally ignore him (he loses even more face). By this time he will be going berserk, and losing even MORE face in the process.
Keep calm and ignore the provocations, and you will maintain face. That is of course if you have the slightest interest in face.
SoFresh:
Very true and good advice.
In a situation like this I'm not to worried about face since it's a subway full of random strangers. However if face was important I do think I did well be giving up my seat to a child a few minutes later. I noticed the guy got quiet after that, I guess you cant really keep yelling at me about seats after I've just given one up :)
Any basketballers here? Or anyone who understands the game?
Lets just say that I have played and coached the game for over 40 years. The years and years of boxing out drills and game play used to prevent your opponent from getting an "O" board come to great use when people in China try to get in front of you in a queue. I just use my body and subtle use of my elbows to keep between them and where they want to get to. Pretty easy because they don't put much effort in and give up easily on most occasions.
cooter:
Haha, I remember those box-out drills in my middle school basketball league. Also the drills for setting screens would be useful sometimes 
