This is a very minor thing but it is a pet peev of mine so I thought I would ask people's opinion.

Recently i arrived to check-in at the Hilton Helsinki Airport. There was only one receptionist on duty and there was a line of about 6 people ahead of me. When I got towards the front of the line, a second receptionist came on duty and called over the person at the front of the line. The person behind me then decides to go and form a new line by himself behind this second receptionist. By the time the 2nd receptionist is finished with the first person, I am at the front of the main line. She hesitantly asks who is next and I make a point of going immediately over to her and going in front of the guy who formed his own second line. He did not say anything, he just stood behind me sheepishly and after I was checked in, she served him.

Now in my mind, I do not see why someone who arrived after me, feels he can be seen before those who were in line before him. My only hesitation was that I am in Finland and I do not know what kind of etiquette they have there. That said, had he said anything, I would have defended the fact that I was there before him.

Would you guys have done the same? FWIW, I am coming at this from a UK/US perspective - maybe in Finland the etiquette is different.