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Okay, so I work in a small vintage clothing store in the Village and my pet peeve is when people walk in the store on the cell phone, walk either to the back of the store or a corner of the store and then spend a good twenty, thirty minutes or even an f*cking hour on their cell TALKING TO A PERSON WITHOUT ONCE GLANCING AT THE MERCHANDISE!!! Congrats, you've just downgraded me from stylist to "babysitter of the brat". Or here's another favorite; people who rough house the merchandise, ripping it down and throwing it around with no consideration for the antiquity of the object or the care the shopkeepers have put into arranging the display, and then when you tap them on the shoulder or say excuse me to get their attention, they either give you the hand or "sshhh" you so they can get back to their phone conversation!!! UUGGGH!!! Cell phone ettiquette is OUT OF CONTROL!!! So how do you throw these people out without feeling like the finger of wrath from the retail gods?

2007-01-02 16:19:51 · 12 answers · asked by klnichollsrn 2 in Society & Culture Etiquette

Incidently, the owner and the manager have taken a shining to calling the store "One giant f*cking telephone booth" Just before they insult the bejesus out of someone and toss them out, making us looking more like jerks, and therefore costing everyone else sales because they wouldn't give their money to "rude people" like us.

Um, yes. Manhattan, NYC, the Village.

2007-01-02 17:01:00 · update #1

12 answers

I know EXACTLY what you mean. At the restaurant where I used to work, people would sit at their table talking on the phone, and expect you to just wait around patiently until they were ready for you to take their orders. I finally got sick of it, and if they weren't finished with their conversations when I came the first time, then they just had to wait until I had time to make it around again. Our manager had no problem with this, and eventually, the people who came regularly, started to show a little more courtesy when they came, and ended their phone conversations before they came inside. If they are merely standing around talking, then I would just politely say to them that if they would like to continue their phone conversation, then they will have to do it elsewhere. You want to have room in your store for people who are actually there to shop, not to socialize. If it's one of the more disrespectful customers that you're dealing with, and they try to tell you to be quiet, or to wait? Then, it's time to go a little more extreme. I'd tell them either have more respect for the merchandise, and other people trying to shop, or get out. If they give you too much trouble, call the cops. I'd love to see them tell one of those guys to hang on a minute, or Shh!

2007-01-02 16:31:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

First I say post a polite sign prohibiting the use of cell phones in your establishment (or speak with the boss about the solutions you have come up with for common problems most business's share) and I am a firm believer in being borderline polite with these "parents" that use clerks as babysitters because stupidity generally only responds to stupidity, tell them in no uncertain terms that they will have to control their spawn or remove them from the shop *tolerant smile* and say thank you so much for understanding, and walk away before they have time to respond, and I am sorry but I will always in no uncertain terms promptly while making direct eye contact, ignore that little finger or shh! I have learned over the years that people that rude only understand the same response back, and do you really believe they are their to shop? usually they pop into the first store they see due to extreme heat, cold, noise etc. outside from where they've come, and if they are manhandling your merchandise then they don't get vintage anyway so you can't lose a customer you never had! Good luck honey, I'll tell you if I had to work with the public again I would be in trouble lol, I just don't have the patience any more.

2007-01-03 00:44:42 · answer #2 · answered by pink00kiton 1 · 0 2

I would say if they damage merchandise,you should charge them for it-if they don't agree to pay call the cops.
Myself, if the patient wants my services they can end the call or wait until I get back around to them-if unavailable for >1 hour we are allowed to document that. I guess you could just get in their space and politely but firmly continue to ask "May I help you? Did you notice that the management has a no cell phones policy? Was there something special you were looking for?" and so on until they get sick of it. Of course make sure the boss will back you up whatever you plan.
My doctor has a sign in the exam rooms that says"we can not care for you while you talk to your friends on the phone. If now is not a convenient time for an exam we will be happy to reschedule you." She says she put them up when lady in the middle of a pelvic exam whipped out her phone and called a friend!

2007-01-03 06:37:04 · answer #3 · answered by barbara 7 · 1 2

Find a friend with great drawing skills and get them to draw you up a sign with a loud mouth cell phone user with a slash through it. Put it right at the front door and also near the register. Not everyone will comply but the majority will. I hate that too. I once watched a girl order her food by pointing at the menu so as not to disturb the person on the other end of her cell phone.

2007-01-03 00:35:38 · answer #4 · answered by blazenphoenix 4 · 0 2

Well there needs to be a sign at the door, that states no cell phones to be used in the store. Then if you see a customer on the phone, you may walk up to them and state that cell phones are not allowed in the store. Just like no smoking signs. I tell you this may be the wave of the future about signs that say 'No Cell Phones".

2007-01-03 04:23:01 · answer #5 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 0 2

Tell them that yours is a place of business not a public phone booth and to please take their conversation elsewhere.
If they refuse to leave, then tell them you have no other choice but to call the police - I'm sure there is some law against being a public nuisance. And this sure qualifies.
BTW, if someone is rude to you, just because you work in customer relations does not make you a doormat and I say all gloves are off.
The expression "The Customer is Always right" is antiquated and has been null and voided by ignorant individuals who persist in treating people as if their S*&! don't stink.

2007-01-03 01:37:13 · answer #6 · answered by Starry Night 2 · 0 2

Play louder music and put a sign on your door. I don't like some of the others answers about yelling at another employee or yelling at the customer because when a person goes into shop they don't want that kind of drama. They want to go have fun and spend some money (in your store, otherwise they wouldn't be there). Going to a place of business and listening to stupid drama really pisses me off so I go somewhere else.

2007-01-03 02:05:11 · answer #7 · answered by trabear 2 · 1 2

You put a sign on the door that says No Cell Phones.
If they enter with the cell phone just remind them of the company's policy.
BTW, the Village? Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NYC, NY?

2007-01-03 00:23:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1 2

I agree with you. I work in retail and the cell phone thing is OUT OF CONTROL! I get sick of it rather quickly. If someone brings their purchases to the register while talking on the phone, I ring them up and hold out my hand for the money- not speaking one word. Half of them put their call on hold, the others don't notice and keep talking. They don't get it, they don't care. Customers would also be the first to complain if YOU were on the phone and shhhh'd them. Amazing!!

2007-01-03 10:34:42 · answer #9 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 0 2

Either you tune up the music playing in the background of your shop or put a sign like a "no smoking" sign, only replace the cigar with a cell phone, at the front door. OR you can try standing in front of him/her and waving at them to get their attention. If none works and it really bothers you, literally shove him/her out, these kind of customers are'nt really interested in your shop anyways!

2007-01-03 00:25:56 · answer #10 · answered by Rachel2312 2 · 2 2

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