Is it rude to do certain things while on ur cell phone or do people just over react?

Question

i read this blog today about a cell phone rant... people who do things while on cell phones that other people hate.

some people thought it was soooo offensive to talk on the phone while at the cash register, ordering food, or riding in a bus or car... while others thought that their should not be social rules about cell phone when u would hold the same conversation with someone in person while at these same places...

so my question is.. do u think its rude when ppl are on their cell phones while driving, or at resturants or at the cash register or do u think it makes no difference... does someone talking on a cell phone bother you more then someone holding a conversation face to face w/ someone in public...

Answer 1

Oh how society has changed. I personally think having protracted loud conversations on public transport or in restaurants and while you're dealing with another human being (i.e. while ordering food) is pretty ignorant. If you must use your phone, keep it quick.  

Answer 2

As a cashier myself, I do find it inconsiderate when people are having a conversation on their cell phone. First off, I can hear what the conversation is about, therefore it's not really "private." The second thing is that as a cashier, I need to be able to talk to my customer(s) in case there is a discrepancy with their credit card, coupon, or if I need personal information.

The polite thing to do is that should your cell phone ring while you are in line, is to either lower the ring volume or step out of line and take your call.

Regarding driving, it's not rude but DANGEROUS! Think about your fellow motorists because we all have to share the road.

Answer 3

You know sometimes I think people do overreact.

I will explain why: when Im checking out at the register and have an important phone call, I am a customer and its OK to excuse urself and talk to a sales-person, while still holding the line, just excuse yourself a moment - thats it, no need to cut off the talk.

When you driving  and doing other things - think about safety, so pay attention and do not discount the surrounding.

Answer 4

Yes it is extremely rude.  If you are being served or paying etc you should be giving your attention to that person or what you are doing.  There is nothing worse than someone holding up the line because they are talking away on their phone or in person.  Others have places to be and things to do etc.  Talking on the bus or in a car is not rude unless you are with someone else and you are leaving them to twiddle their thumbs on their own.  A polite excuse me to the person you are with, answer phone and then advising the person you will ring them back is the polite thing to do.    

Answer 5

A few years ago when I worked in fast food it made me nuts.  I primarily did drive thru.  People would come to the order place, pick up the phone, dial ring.  I hear the bell, come over the intercom and say something like 'Hi welcome to taco bell would you like to try our cheese quesadila today?"  They say, hold on a minute please.  And then you hear the whole phone conversation...."Hey, is Chris there?" pause..."Hey chris.  I am here at taco bell, what did you want again"......  ok, say that again, you wanted what?"  then talking to me"Ok, I need a number 4 with....   to the phone...  did you want that soft or hard...   Hard tacos, with a....  what did you say your drink was, a pepsie?  Oh, diet, ok....   with a diet drink, and then I need...   what did kayla want?  Oh yeah...   A kids meal with....   crunchy tacos...   what drink did she want?  Oh thats with a seira mist..  and then I want...   hmm...  what do I want....  did you just say you f''ed sammy last night... omg...  oh wait, I have to order my food still, ahng on...   I just want a small diet please....  yeah, really I cant eat this food im too fat....  pause... yes I am...   joe told me I was too fat to suck his d last night...  really hurt my feelings...  Oh =, Im sorry, I was talking just now, how much did you say that was?

That whole thing took 8 minutes, when you could have already had your food had you just put down the stupid phone and ordered!!!!!!!

People on the phone while checking out at the register inside a store didnt really bother me.  If you are literally just checking out and paying, you dont really have to do much talking to the cashier, so its not that hard.

I HATE when a cashier is on a personal conversation while checking me out though.  I think its unprofessional.  I see this most in gas stations.

Beyond that...   cell phone converstations in public dont bother me..   Unless of course your conversation is about how many tampons you went through yesterday.

Answer 6

When engaged in a conversation face to face, we take into account our surroundings.  While driving, we talk to our friends and keep a watchful eye on the traffic around us.  While sitting in a doctor or dentist office, if a friend were with us, we could talk but probably in hushed tones.  While in a restaurant, we talk face to face with our friends in a normal toned voice or in hushed tones.  At a cash register, if we are with a friend we would normally visit until time to check out, then the conversation would stop so we could concentrate on paying for our merchandise.

Most people who talk on cell phones in public seem to forget about their surroundings -- as if they are engaged in a one on one conversation in the comfort of their own home -- and are very loud.  It doesn't matter where you are, it is rude and inconsiderate.

If you are going to try to make this argument, do a little experiment. Watch and listen to people on cell phones and people who are talking to their friends one on one -- then you will notice the difference.

Answer 7

Yes, I think it is very rude.  They should be banned in all public places.

Answer 8

It is offensive when you have a service person trying to help you and other people potentially held up by you trying to have a conversation and accomplish a purchase simultaneously. You would suspend a conversation with someone actually present while doing these things-at least I hope you would.

It is just downright proven dangerous to do ANYthing else (e.g. eating, fooling with stereo, putting on makeup,texting)  while operating a motor vehicle.

Answer 9

impolite & insensitive.

Answer 10

I think it is very rude to do that while at the cash register and also even if they aren't on a phone but are having a face to face conversation and are holding up the line. I hate it when it's on the phone because the cashier may need to talk to you or ask a question and the person is yapping away on their phone. Also in the car because they could get sidetracked and have an accident.