Is it rude to make cell phone calls while you're visiting with someone?

Question

Does it mean they do not value your time with them?

I don't tend to make calls unless they're business-related but many others do. I keep them short. I know you can't control incoming calls. A lot of times I won't answer incoming, tho.

Answer 1

It depends on the call. It IS rude if you don't excuse yourself first. I would say only make calls if necessary and to be polite, tell the person ahead of time. Say, if you visit someone at 2p.m. and have to make a call at 3:00 p.m., then tell your friend that you need to make a call at 3:00p.m. This is much nicer than having something pop into a visitors mind and have them jump up and make a call.

Unless you are self-employed, there is really no reason to make a business call while visiting someone.

Answer 2

Cell phone calls are one of the biggest issues in ettiquette today! the nightly news covers it every other day. The newspaper and magazines have tons of reports on cell phone etiquette, yet some people just dont' give a damn.

It is always polite to answer an incoming call with a "soft decline", such as; I can't talk right now, I am in a meeting or I am with someone. That tells the person you are with that they are important "right now"! That is a great compliment to anyone.

If you make a call while in anyone's company, that immediately tells them that they have to wait to talk to you, even though they are right there in front of you...kind of tacky.

Why would you need someone else to talk to when they are here right now talking to you? Are they boring? That's what I would feel if it happened to me. If someone doesn't see that, they may not be sensitive or mature enough to have an adult conversation.

Answer 3

Yes, I think it's rude. My boss does this a lot, he'll pick up his phone, start talking, won't even acknowledge you anymore and talk for a long time or even walk off speaking on his cellphone... Sometimes he'll even just remember something and start dialing out, about something completely unrelated.

I've considered next time I need to see him taking my own cell phone along and calling him while I'm sitting across from him at his desk, at least that way I'll know we won't get interrupted. But I also want to keep my job (I don't have to work closely with my boss so it's an okay job most of the time :)), so I have never done this yet...

Answer 4

No matter what the person you are with tells you, it is extremely rude to do in the company of others.

You should TURN THE PHONE OFF. Let it go into voice mail. What are the chances it is an emergency? When I left my job (cell phone was included) I never got another one. Nothing is so important that it can't wait until you are home or alone.
If I was with someone that took a call and continued to talk I would leave. If we were in my home, I would tell you to cut it short, now............

In the next two years cell phones will be banned from cars in every state. And it is about time.........

Answer 5

yes,it`s very rude to be on the cell phone when you have company.i mean, nobody can control incoming calls but you can tell the person calling you to try again later,or keep the conversation really short.

Answer 6

I can't understand the 24 hour reliance on Cell phones- I mean the people who use them the most have the least important reasons to.

Answer 7

We could look at it another way.Lets say someone is about to visit you and they take a call while you wait for them to finish.That can be annoying especially if there is more than one call.Sure,they maybe short but if you add them together it equals a bad time for the other person because he/she is constantly being interrupted.

Answer 8

Yes, it is very rude. It means you do not value or respect the person whom you are visiting. If you are unable to hold off some calls then save your visit for a time when are you not so busy.

Answer 9

Yes, put it on vibe unless there is a real emergency. How would you like to have to wait around while somebody talks to someone else.

Rude

Rude

and

you guessed it

Hyper-rude.

Answer 10

Ya think??? I usually ignore my phone and put it on silent if I am visiting. Yeah, its pretty rude. The only exception is if it possibly relates to work or business.