Cell Phone usage in stores
By jess368
@jess368 (3368)
United States
January 26, 2009 9:07pm CST
Does it drive you as crazy as it does me when people talk on there phones instead of doing what they are supposed to be doing?
For example, It drives me crazy when people are talking on their phone when they are checking out at the grocery store! I am not sure why its so hard to call that person back when they are not holding up a line at the store. Other than being rude to other shoppers, I think it is also extremely rude to the cashier!
its the same with people trying to order a drink at the bar. I am a bartender, and I will not acknowledge you if you are on the phone, and trying to get a drink at the same time. I think its rude, and I am not going to battle to get your attention, I will just move on to a customer that is ready to order.
Anyways, I wanted to know how you felt. Do you agree with me, can people be extremely rude on their cell phones? I think there should be an etiquette class taught in high school about cell phone usage, because kids today are not learning about phone etiquette in public or even at dinner time with families.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@xnekox (97)
• Australia
27 Jan 09
i totaly understand what you mean, i mean i work at a fastfood place, and its like you order through a speaker thing. Its really hard to hear already, and for them to talk on the phone and talk to you, its just even harder to take their orders.
And then, they go off at us for getting the order wrong, when they don't listen to us when we repeat the order.
So i do think it can be extremely rude for people to use their cell phones while doing other things that involves dealing with other people face to face, if you get what i mean.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
28 Jan 09
I can understand if they are going through the aisle and have to phone the spouse and ask "the Bush beans are on sale, do you think I should get a carton instead just one or two?" or "I will be a little late," or "the bill is a bit too high, should I put the tomato sauce back?" but to have an engaged conversation is wrong especially when you are holding up the line. They can at least get out the way and let the other patrons go ahead.
The same at a bar, they can go to the washroom or someplace where they will not be disturbed or say "excuse me, is there someplace private I can go to? I have to make an important phone call."
It is just inconsiderate and I am in favor of a cell phone etiquette class in schools.
1 person likes this
@jess368 (3368)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I agree with almost everything you stated. I think its also rude when people talk on the phone in the bathroom, while other people are in the bathroom trying to take care of business. I may be in the minority on this issue, but it makes me extremely uncomfortable when I am in the bathroom and someone comes in yacking on the phone.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I do think they should be courteous when they are in line, or dealing with people. I will not answer or talk to someone on the phone while I am trying to do anything where I should be paying attention to someone. I like to watch the register too well, to be on the phone in line. I want to stop them before having to go back and straighten something up.
1 person likes this
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
Well if you are chatting up a storm and being very slow in what you're supposed to be doing then it is rude. It only shows how poor your work ethic is and that you can't juggle 2 tasks at the same time However, there are instances where people can talk on the phone and still go about jogging, paying bills, playing with the kids, cooking, etc. And I think that's okay. As long as you're still being productive then you can chat on the phone or even send sms.
1 person likes this
@stargirl85 (218)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Yes I dont see how people can talk on their cell phones in the grocery stores I would think it would be very awkward. How can someone hold a phone put there grocerys on the check out and pay for their stuff. I know I couldnt think straight if I was trying to do all of that at once. What really bothers me is when my husband takes me out to a movie and there is a group of people with their cell phones on. When your at a movie its suppose to be quit so you can enjoy the movie not hear other peoples conversations. Also people want to play games on their cell phones during the movie so you can see the light from the phone. If they would rather play a game on their cell phone then watch the movie then maybe they should pay more attention to the movie they choose to watch.
1 person likes this
@misslovelyfiles (250)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I can't stand when people do that it annoys me like no tomorrow. I remember just recently I went to a fast food restaurant in the drive through and the lady taking the order was on the phone and she didn't even notice that people were waiting in line to get their order taken and she didn't even care we ended up not ording food from their anymore.
1 person likes this
@ashley2009 (85)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Why would you need to go to school to learn about a cell phone? It's not that hard. Very simple. Just talk on it. Text. Take pictures. etc. And then pay the bills at the end of the month. Very simple. No school required.
@jess368 (3368)
• United States
27 Jan 09
No, not a class on how to operate a phone. The class would go along with home economics and such, title Cell Phone Etiquette.
This class would be designed to teach teenagers the appropriate times to turn your phone off, to put it on silent, etc.
For example, most teens today will yack on there phone all the way through dinner, which is very rude for the people eating dinner with them, as well as the patrons around who are trying to enjoy there dinner.
The website below gives you 10 cell phone etiquette tips. These could be used to guide the class discussion.
http://www.thephonecoach.com/CellPhoneEtiquetteTenSteps.htm
