Does anyone know when it is impolite to use a cell phone?

Question

If you are at a store and checking out, why would you start talking on you cell when in the middle of talking to a clerk who is helping you. People in line behind you now have to wait for your personal conversation and for the transaction to be done. Also, if you are talking to someone and your cell rings, why is it absolutely necessary to be rude to who you are talking to to talk on the phone? Please let me know I'm not CRAZY

Answer 1

I have a store I go to that has a sign on the counter that says.....If you are on a cell phone when you get to the pay station, please step to the end of the line.

I love those guys.

I still do not own a cell....it's like having 15 idiots strapped to your waist.

Answer 2

Yes, I agree, what is so important that they can't put down the phone. Further, for the person they are talking to, it is rude. Reseption is not always good in stores, and because they are multitasking, they are not being a good listener either.
You are not crazy, for many people, cell phones seem to be a toy, kinda like the toy a toddler always has to tote around everywhere they go! I would like to add :

Here are times people are on phones in public and it is not rude, but people often misjudge:
1. Someone being at a restaurant on their lunch hour. They have already ordered their food, and are eating, so they choose to call their spouse and chat, instead of eating with co-workers. That is not really much different or more disruptive, than 2 people who are at a near table eating together and talking.
2. Someone is at the grocery store, and remembers that their spose asked for something. They forgot what it was. To avoid making an extra trip, they step out of the main aisle, off to the side of the store, and phone home really quick just to find out about what they forgot.
3. A mother is shopping for a child's birthday gift. Dad isn't there because he is watching the soon to be 'birthday boy' She needs to tell him about a selection, or price of an item; she steps out of the main aisle, off to the corner of the store, and quickly phones, just for his input.

In short, there are times cell phones are ok in public. Some people just seem to think they are always bad. Isn't it just as annoying to be in line with the two girlfriend gossiping behind you? The mom who's child is out of control because perhaps she dragged him to one too many stores? The person who forgot their debit card, check book, and enough cash and now has to figure out which items they don't want? In my opinion cell phones are just one of the public rudeness problems. All of the above is also rude and should be avoided.

Answer 3

Being a cashier, yes it is very annoying, however, when checking people out while they are on the phone I now do not speak to them, I just start the order, I figure if they need something they will let me know, or they can go back and stand in line. I won't cater to the rudeness.

Answer 4

I work in a hospital and the patients and their families expect you to wait on their conversations on their cell phones and room phone. It is so frustrating. They feel in some way their phone conversation is more important than their treatment.
I think cellular phone usage is just plain rude nowdays in a lot of sutiations, and I always shut mine off when I go to the doctor, dentist, or just plain dont answer it.

Answer 5

Too me it is impolite to use a cell phone in a restaurant, or a grocery store,, people go there to enjoy there meal, not people chatting to someone over the phone, and some people enjoy shopping talk to the when you are alone I do not want to hear about your conversations

Answer 6

It is impolite to do any of those things your not crazy they are. I'm a cashier and it ANNOYS me when i have a line and the person is on their phone and I'm repeating their total. Most of the time they finish their conversation then they ask me how much was it. Its frustrating and annoying its impolite to use it when you know other people are going to be talking to you.

Answer 7

I think people are a little too touchy when it comes to cell phones. While it is unacceptable to have some frivolous conversation while in the middle of checking out, sometimes there are important calls that cannot wait. Life happens, and people need to learn not to get so aggravated and not to take everything personally. If one HAS to be on the phone in such situations, it is polite to apologize to the clerk and exxplain the nature of the call. What is rude is to ignore the clerk completely.

Answer 8

your absolutely right is is rude unless it's a business or family emergency call. Other then that phone calls on your cell can wait if your talking to other people.

Answer 9

I think it's o.k. to accept a call when you're talking to someone else, as long as the call is important and you excuse yourself from the first person you were talking to. It is rude to talk on cell phones in places where it is clearly prohibited, like the movie theater for instance, and you should never, ever talk loudly where everyone can hear your priviate conversation, like on the train or bus.

Answer 10

you are not crazy.i know a cell phone addict that actually talked on her cell with her boyfriend(they were fighting)at her grandmothers wake.so rude!