Talking on the cell phone while being assisted?

Question

I cannot stand when someone talks on the phone while waiting to be helped, and continues to talk while being assisted. I work in the cellular industry and it's a common occurrence. If I go to the next customer, they look irritated. I'm not going to compete with your conversation. Either hang up long enough to be helped or come back when you get off the phone!!! Does anyone else find this TOTALLY rude?!? It can be anywhere that someone is helping you...ordering food in line, buying something. I hang up if I am the customer because I find that rude, and I use 5000 plus minutes per month so I am a cell phone user too. What's everyone's thoughts??

Answer 1

I agree!
This is the rudest thing someone can do!
I'm like you though, I refuse to help someone if they're carrying on a conversation on their cell phone. I'll help the next person. If they say something about it, I always just tell them that I didn't want to interrupt what must have been a very important phone call.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I don't work in the service industry, but I can see how it would be annoying, to say the least.

When I'm in line for something (at Caribou to get a coffee, for example) I'll tell whoever is on the other end of the line to hold a minute, and I'll set the phone down on the counter until I get my coffee, pay for it, and leave the line.

If I'm in line at the grocery store, I end the call altogether. It's nearly impossible to keep my eye on my 2 1/2 year old son who is sitting in the seat of the shopping cart, steer the cart, put items on the conveyor belt, pay for them, and leave while talking on the phone.

If a phone call is THAT important that you have to take it, then finish your call outside or somewhere other than in a line where you'll probably be waited on shortly.

This makes me especially angry when I'm behind the person who's on the phone. They're trying to hold a phone conversation, pay the cashier, put their change away, etc. and it takes too long. Very disrespectful for all involved!

Answer 4

Yes. Cellular phone etiquette is horribly overlooked. I have seen people answer their phones during meetings, take calls in the middle of conversation with someone else. Unless it's the police or the funeral home calling, nothing is that important that they can't leave a voice mail.

Answer 5

Rude, and RARELY excuseable.
I use a cell phone and if it comes to my turn before I finish my conversation, I usually just motion for the person behind me to go ahead of me after I step to one side. I don't like holding people up. The way I see it, if my chat isn't finished, I am NOT the next person- the person behind me is. It's that simple.

Answer 6

I don't blame you for going on to the next customer. While I know you can't actually be rude to a customer, there's nothing stopping you from gently asking, "Would you like my assistance now, or would you prefer that I serve the next customer? I'm afraid I can't hold up the line while you finish your conversation."

Answer 7

I totally agree with you. I find it very rude. I even seen it happening in the nursing home I work at, and ussually say something to the people I see doing it. I carry my cellphone on the floor and my supervisor knows about it, but when one of my kids call while I'm with somebody I ignore it and call them back once I'm done. Not that hard.

Answer 8

Everywhere I look, people are on cell phones. In the car, in the store, walking in public. I went to a funeral a month ago and there were young adults talking on their phones at the wake. So, where do we draw the line for public cell phone use.

Answer 9

I agree with you. I work in a call center and people constantly answer the other line or shout at their kids/dogs/whoever while the mouth of the phone is still in front of them. Phone etiquette should become a required class in school.

Answer 10

agreed, this technology is way abused. People need to remember when there were no cell phones, they are so overabused, especially with the bluetooth technology. Also I have seen parents out to eat with their kids, and the kid is listening to an ipod while eating in a restaurant, and we wonder why other countries hate us?