In your opinion. Rude or Not?

Question

Lets say 10 years ago you are working behind the counter of a gas station and a customer comes in. You can greet them and say how you doing today or whatever. Nowdays though they come in with a cellphone to their ear and the stop their conversation long enough to say what they want but you must stand their completely silent so you don't interupt them. I don't work at a gas station by the way I just observe how customers I have been behind do and what the clerks say after they leave. I think it would make the clerk feel like a third leg or something.Looking for opinions of what others think about talking on a cell phone while trying to carry on a business transaction. stupid comment will be given negative feedback.

The second answer on here by Magialpu$$yv has been reported. His handle says it all about his character and ethics. Anyone else feel free to report because we don't need people like him.

Answer 1

Just say I was the clerk,, I wouldn't care if they were on the phone or not. I would talk to them just like anyone else. They came in MY store to purchase from ME. If they want to purchase from the people on the phone, "stay out of my store until your done". Of coarse, I'm mean to inconsiderate people though.

Answer 2

Definitely rude. Mobile phones (cell phones) have become such an integral part of society so quickly that there has been very little time to develop a real phone etiquette.

Talking on phone at shop counters is rude, as is answering your phone midway through any conversation. If you absolutely must answer it, first excuse yourself by saying something along the lines of "Sorry, I've really got to take this".

If you get an SMS while taling to someone face to face, what til a decent break in the conversation before checking the text.

People should always come before technology.

Answer 3

I think it's obnoxious how obsessed people are with their cell phones, PDAs, Ipods.. you name it, it's all annoying. I know several stores and resturaunts with signs that basically say a customer won't be waited on while talking on a cell phone. Seriously.. what did these people do 10 years ago before everyone had a cell phone?? Get over it, hang up, and be polite. In my weekend job I am in jewlery sales and I personally will ignore someone on a cell phone and if they look at me like they want something I simply say "I'll wait until you're off the phone." It has irritated a few people.. but hey, if they can't hang up long enough to say what they want to see they probably don't want to buy anything anyhow. And no, it hasn't hurt my sales either.. I don't need ignorant business.

Answer 4

I think it is somewhat rude. However, only if the transaction requires some form of verbal interaction. If somebody is just buying a pack of gum, I don't think it's that rude. However, I used to work in a deli at a grocery store and would get annoyed when people would be talking on their cell phones. They would be chatting away while I was waiting to know what they needed and had other customers waiting. So yes, I think it is rude at times.

Answer 5

At my work that happens all the time. They end up making mistakes or leaving money at the counter. One day i was checking out groceries a woman was talking on her cell phone she dropped $5 and left then she came back and yelled at me saying i cheated her out of $5 then a woman came up and said i found this it must belong to you and then she oh okay bye. me when i'm at a place of business i greet the cashier ask how their doing and when i leave i say thank you have a good day. It just rude to talk on your cell while trying carry on a transaction.

Answer 6

I worked in the Dining room cooking for my fellow employees. On several occasions employees would order food and stand there talking on their cells. Fine , they are on break, but then some would get pissy because I would make their food and not ask them stuff like butter in their toast, mayo on a sandwich etc...get off the phone and tell me then!
Now I just make whatever they order and when they start complaining I tell them if they want something special then take to seconds off the phone and tell me. It easier to do with your fellow employee then an actual customer.
I have had a few people stand there for a few minutes after their food is ready because they weren't paying attention when I said it was. Then they complain that it is cold...too bad, get off the phone and pay attention, I told you it was there!

I'm not a disgruntled food service worker, I actually like my job. I just wanted to share a couple of stories that tend to repeat themselves over the last couple of years.

Answer 7

RUDE. I run a business from my home and I find it extremely rude when people come in while having a conversation on their cell phone. They continue on and on for 3 to 4 minutes before they even acknowledge your presence. I say stay in your car, finish your conversation. How did we ever get along 15 years ago without cell phones?

Answer 8

I used to work in a gas station and I never realized how annoying cell phones are. I had a guy come in on his cell phone...tell me what he wanted and I did exactly what he said...when I asked him a yes or no question he said yes to the person on the phone and I thought he was talking to me. He yelled at me and wanted his money back when he realized I did something "wrong" It won't hurt to put the phone down for a couple of mins.

Answer 9

i think that the customers are so use to going inside a gas station and seeing the clerk on their phone and not paying any attention to the customer, that we as the customer do the same thing. i do however think thats its rude on both ends to go anywhere and try to communicate to anyone while they are talking on their cellphone, whether it be customer or worker.

Answer 10

Customers need to pay attention to the business transaction that is occuring. They might get an extra 0 added on to their bill.