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Queuing is a foreign concept in China. Especially outside the major cities, it's common to just shove your way to the front to be first. They were probably trying to do the same.
Interestingly, this happened because of the Communist takeover. To build communism during the Great Leap Forward, villagers' kitchens were literally demolished and anyone cooking at home was arrested, to ensure everyone ate at the communal hall. Those who queued for their turn found that there was no food left by the time they got there. The "rude" villagers who pushed and shoved their way past the "polite" villagers ensured they and their families survived.
