How do you respectfully ask people to stop talking on their cell phones in public places? It's RUDE!!?

Answer 1

I feel your pain. I work in a public library and spend most of my time telling people to take their calls outside or to the library's lobby. I get a lot of dirty looks.

1) There are signs all over the library asking people to turn of their cell phones, or to take their calls to the lobby.

2) They are in a PUBLIC LIBRARY. This means the place should be reasonably quiet. But,times have changed and people have, too.

3) Patrons and staff are fed up with these rude and inconsiderate individuals. It seems they are unaware they are being rude and think mostly of themselves.

As for your dilemma, it is hard to decide what to do.
If you think you can ask the cell phone user to lower his/her voice, and not get socked in the face, go for it.

If there is a person "in charge" like a manager, or, in our case, a staff member, let them know this person is bothering you. These people can handle the offenders.

Other than these ideas, I guess you live with it and mutter words of death under your breath and move on. Life is too short to let these jerks bother you.

Answer 2

That reminds me of a couple of years ago - I had to run to a dollar store for a quick last minute ingredient for a recipe. It was right before Christmas and the lines were very long. While we were waiting, a young woman was engaged in a very personal cell phone conversation with a man (obviously) who she was not happy with! The conversation got dirty and personal. The clerks said absolutely nothing. Everyone was feeling really uncomfortable, yet this woman persisted in making a big scene without any regard for others. I began to sing out loud, Jingle Bells. She interruped her train of thought to tell her partner on the other line about the "crazy lady" who was singing out loud in line. She was totally clueless until everyone began laughing and we were all looking at her. Subtle, but effective.....

Answer 3

Why should you do it respectfully if they aren't respecting you? Just tell them they are being rude and to take their conversation elsewhere.

If that fails, strike up a conversation right beside them and talk as loud as you can. Guaranteed they will either move or end the phone call.

Answer 4

If there's some reason they shouldn't be talking, like in a movie theatre, you say, "Excuse me, I'm listening to the movie".

If they're with you and ignore you to talk on the phone, I'd probably just glare.

If you actually think it's rude for people to talk on the phone in a situation where it wouldn't be rude to talk to someone in person (like a bus or a grocery store), well, sorry, you're wrong.

Answer 5

I would say--don't, because it isn't any of your business, and because there is NO difference between that vs two persons talking to each other in public, and if you consider there to be a difference it betrays you as having a bigoted/prejudiced type of attitude regarding cellular phone users, and that's not appropriate.

I am not a heavy cellular phone user per se, but I use one if the need arises, and have enough sense to not do so in situations like (say) a library or during the showing of a movie in a theatre. But in the grocery store, at the hot dog stand, waiting in line at the DMV, on the subway, there is NO difference between me doing that vs two persons talking to each other in the flesh. The only difference is in the beholder who has a bigoted attitude of prejudice against someone based solely on the fact that they don't share your distaste for the mere existence of a cellular phone.

Answer 6

I agree and it is Stupid. I hear them all the time talking loud ,as though they are the only people in the world. It would be nice if they would add no Cell Phones next to No Smoking, or offer phone rooms for the addicted.

Answer 7

Rude or not, if there's no sign up that prohibits it, then they aren't breaking a law so it's just something you have to tolerate...you're likely to get an unkind reply (or worse) if you attempt to push your view on them....

Perhaps speaking to the manager or someone of authority over that public place would help...if enough people complain, they might decide to ban phone use at that place...

Answer 8

Forget "respectfully"! Just lean over and holler into the phone, "Hey, Mom, did you know your daughter is showing more skin than a pro wrestler today?" Or, "Lady, don't nag your hubby about the milk and bread, he's nearly smart enough to get himself home in one piece." Then smile sweetly at their stunned faces, and go back to your newspaper.

Answer 9

If you mean they are LOUDLY talking and airing their personal business on the phone, it depends on where you are in relation to that. If you are far away and can hear them you are better off to just mind your own business. Saying something will encourage them to tell you to f*** off. If you are near them, moving away is appropriate, in the hopes that they will notice you've moved because of their rudeness, but don't count on it. If you are in an office, then you are trapped with them, so the appropriate thing to do is to go up to them and say, "Excuse me, Susie, but we can hear everything you are saying. Could you talk a little lower please?" Of course if that doesn't work you can always go to an office manager and tell them to tell the person to reign themselves in. If they are quietly talking or talking in a normal tone of voice, then it isn't your business.

Answer 10

I'm sorry this is probably a losing battle. Right up there with people who blow their nose, in a restaurant while others are eating. They just don't get it or they just don't care! You could say something and run the risk of encountering an aggressive person, or just try to ignore it.