Do you use your cell phone in public places?

Question

This is only one example of many cell phone courtesy issues, but I think one of the RUDEST things you can possibly do with a cell phone is walk up to the counter (store, pharmacy, wherever) while talking on your phone, and expect someone to help you as you carry on your conversation. Hang up, or wait till your done!

I work in a pharmacy and I refuse to help a person speaking on their phone....next!!

I was actually wondering, am I the only person who thinks this is rude? Who are these people, and are you one of them?
I need an explanation!

runonsentencealert:
Some of your answers are already exasperating me, so I can tell you are probably an offender of my pet peeve, but to clear the matter up, I have no beef with you using your phone in public, but expecting everyone else to go about their business centered around your phone call is just plain rude, so get off the phone, or get out of line.

Answer 1

Yes, I think that's rude, too!

It makes me feel unimportant, small, and ignored when someone does that when they're with me. People can talk on their phones, I don't mind, but why do they insist on dragging convos, chatting and laughing and leaving the other person out of it? I use a cell phone too but I take care never to do this when I'm with my friend.

I don't work in a store, but just watching people at it in stores makes me furious. I mean, there's someone helping them out, so why can't they look them in the eye, or talk straight... even not saying thank you doesn't matter compared to this. It's plain rude. I think you're right in ignoring them and serving the next person. Give respect, take respect. They don't need polite attention when they don't pay even the least of it. But make sure your boss is nowhere in sight, though, or you could be in trouble. Bosses would just expect you to wait on them hand and foot, however rude they may be.

Answer 2

I use my cell phone for emergencies only! Never would walk up to a counter using one... I call in when I've got a major delay and an important appointment, people who call in when the train is five minutes late scare me... what kinda life must they lead when the people at home are watching the clock so closely they know to the very minute when you're coming home, makes me think of Big Brother, okay not on a government level but this kind of control from family members among themselves it's scary too. If people must absolutely know to the last second when another adult is coming home, if an adult can't decide for himself what cereal to buy if the brand on his shoppinglist is sold out without calling home, etc, etc... I'd freak out if I were married and my husband would either do this or expect me to!

Fortunately I don't have to deal with people on the phone much, usually it's just stuff I observe around me -except my boss, who'll pick it up and walk off in the middle of a conversation. But I do think it's rude, definitely!

Answer 3

I do use my phone in some public places, but it depends on the place. Right now, my husband is only home on weekends, and this will be the case until November, so if we are out to eat with my parents, I will step outside and use it. Never in a movie theater, that deserves a beating. I'll admit, I've been guilty of the cash register taboo. However, it is only in certain situations. Example, I have errands I absolutely have to run over lunch, I have 5 minutes to get back to work, and my daughter's doctor's office calls me who I've been waiting to hear from for a day. I hated doing it, but sometimes it's really not disrespect. I do not make phone calls, though, if I will not be done by the time I reach the register. I'll either skip that errand or wait to call later.

Answer 4

I use my phone "in public places", but I won't use it in dining establishments or while in line at a store, bank, other service oriented location.

You're right, that is just plain rude. As a customer, I have told numerous people to get off the phone and stop slowing down the line. They can talk on their time but when they are holding up a line then they are on my time. On a couple of occassions, I have even hung up the phone for someone because they were being THAT annoying.

Answer 5

It is so rude! I make a point to always leave my cell-phone in my car!
the only reason i ever bought the phone was in case i have to call AAA while stuck on the side of the road, or my daughters school calls while i'm out.
Friends get upset with me when i don't answer my phone all the time.
If it's important leave a message and i'll get back with you.
The one's in line while on the phone i believe are insecure and purposely make phone calls to show people they have friends and their important.
Giggling with a friend about what so and so did friday night erks me, give that poor cashier or whoever who has to stand on their feet all day to serve you some respect.
I certainly don't want to hear someones convo about their mother getting there dry skin scraped while having a manicure when all i wanna buy is toothepaste!
People who are rude like this listen...we don't think you're important because you actually have a friend and you want to show us how great your social status is GET A LIFE!

Answer 6

Good for you. Not only is the person being rude to you, but they're holding everyone else. I don't agree that we need to change with technology. Yes, there will always be new technology but that does not mean that simple courtesies and kindness need to take a back seat to anything new that may come along.

Answer 7

Well, I think however rude it might be, it is unprofessional to refuse to serve a customer, cause it is your job and you are paid for being nice to customers, whoever they are, not for conducting etiquette courses or running moral discussions of any kind. And I think it is WAY more rude to hang up phones for someone you don't know just because they annoy you, I would say that's a criminal offense even...

Answer 8

while human beings talk on cellular telephones in public places, even sitting suitable next to different human beings, they might desire to comprehend that each physique around can hear their communique and could be listening, or purely won't be able to help listening to each be conscious. there isn't privateness in those circumstances. in the event that they like or prefer privateness, they might desire to be those to flow to a extra inner maximum place the place no person will hear them. i don't think of that could be a solid theory to remark on human beings's conversations although. even while human beings comprehend others can hear them that they had prefer to think of that no-one is properly paying interest. Commenting on it could additionally are available in the time of as sticking your nostril into their corporation, it fairly is oftentimes not favorite, even while human beings lay their corporation out for each individual to take heed to.

Answer 9

Do you mean cell phones should be used only on private properties??? Wouldn't it beat the very purpose of having mobile phones??? I think your tolerance level is Zero. Learn to live with times. Technology is both a blessing as well as a bother. Depends how you choose to see it.

Answer 10

I think that's extremely rude and that refusing to serve such jerks should be the policy of every service establishment.