The invisible queue at the bar
Informal Neutral
What it really means
At a busy pub bar there's no physical line, but there is an invisible queue: bar staff and customers roughly track who arrived first. Get to the bar, hold your money or card visibly, and wait to be noticed. Waving, shouting or tapping the bar is considered rude. If asked "Who's next?", be honest if someone was before you.
Chinese explanation
酒吧吧台前没有实体队伍，但存在一条"隐形的队"：酒保和顾客大致记得谁先来。走到吧台前，把钱或银行卡拿在手里等着被注意到就行。挥手、喊叫、敲吧台都很失礼。如果酒保问"下一位是谁"，别人比你先到就如实说。
Example conversation
A: Who's next, please?
B: I think this gentleman was before me, actually.
A: Cheers, mate — very good of you.
A：下一位是哪位？
B：其实这位先生比我先到。
A：谢了伙计——你真厚道。
What you could say back
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· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake