Cell Phones
Remember the guy in the pharmacy line with his cell phone on speaker? Tell me your pet peeves about cell phone rudeness.
Comments
We were at a nice restaurant in a little vacation town, sitting outside to dinner. A table or two over was a woman sitting by herself, with a cell phone on the table. She had the speaker on and was conducting this inane conversion with whomever.
The phone was turned up, and she had to speak up to be heard on it, so everyone on the patio got to be in on whatever it was they were going on about. I had never seen that before, and hope to never see it again.
Posted by: Steve Daniels at August 30, 2010 7:59 PM
Well, this is a timely post seeing as how this is what a coworker and I were bitching (at length) about earlier this morning.
I work at a library. Now, my library wants to be "hip" and "technology friendly" so we don't ban cell phone use outright (much to my misery). And we have an atrium towards my children's department that leads to a staff-only exit door. Sadly, this has become the unofficial "cell phone lobby". No less than five customers decided to take their cell phone conversations to this area this morning. The atrium is tiled and echo-y, so you can hear their voices quite nicely. Especially when they decide to use speakerphone or a walkie-talkie. And at least two of them tried to go out the back door (which is littered with "NO EXIT" signs, btw).
It is so unpleasant. I've got so much beef with this, and I'm not permitted to do much about it aside from asking them to lower their voices and stop them from going out the back door. A few anecdotes of evil:
1) Back when walkie-talkies were all the rage, there was a woman walking around on the children's room, yakking away with her buddy on the other end. About nothing vital, just what their plans for the day were. Since I was a lowly part-timer at the time, we were encouraged to be passive-aggressive and hand the customer a "turn that phone off" note, instead of a direct confrontation. So I deliver the note, and smile and make the universal gesture for "keep it down". Instead of a polite response, I got a blank look. And the most insane response of all time: "But this isn't a cell phone, so it should be okay". It's a freakin' walkie-talkie! It's WORSE than a phone!
2) A guy was going out the back door while on his phone. Fifty-something businessman. So I managed to catch him, and I ask "please don't go out the back door". This older, dignified-looking man suddenly becomes a screeching teenaged girl. "WOULD YOU RATHER ME TALK ON THE PHONE IN THE LIBRARY!?" It was the most mocking, nasty response I've ever gotten. Just *mean*. Really horrible. And I managed to quell my initial response ("I'd rather you not talk at all, jackass.") and stuttered, "You could go out the front door." One of my worst experiences.
3) Texting still makes noise. I'm working the desk, and all I can hear is this series of boops. Boop-boop-boop... over and over again. It is driving me batty. I take a survey around the room and found a twenty-something girl texting nonstop. With the phone's volume on, so that you can hear every delightful boop as she scrolls through the letters. So I go up and ask her to turn her phone's volume off. "But I'm just texting". I actually did lose some of my professional gloss and said helplessly, "Yes, but I can still hear you."
4) The "This is important" response. Generally, if I have to say something to you, you're too loud. I'm discouraged from asking people to get off their phones. But if I have to do it, then it's not something I look forward to. And I'd say that pretty often I'll get a variation on "but this is important!". Honestly, I don't care. I don't care if you're discussing your social security payments, health insurance, credit report, the Dow-Jones, or your bunions. It infuriates me that when I go up and ask you to stop, instead of being met with "oh, okay" or at least leaving the building to continue their discussion, I get an argument. You're not special, you're disruptive.
Sorry for length, this has been building up all day.
Posted by: cornerdemon at August 30, 2010 11:32 PM
I've been known to have a big mouth - and when called for, I use it.
TJ Maxx, shoe sale, every woman there wears a size 7 1/2. It's all but impossible not to politely knock one another over on accident.
And then She shows up.
She is 4'9" and almost as wide - no way She wears 7 1/2. (I eye-balled it.) Anyhoo, She was in full convo mode via Motorola, and my guess was that the party on the other end surely had some serious hearing and attention span issues - why else would She be talking so loud and so fast? (Altho her spanglish was most impressive!) I believe the other ladies were also quite moved as they glared at her turned back and shook their heads in disbelief.
As She came closer to the red and black sandals I was contemplating, I could hold my tongue no longer.
"Excuse me" I said sweetly, "Would you please take your phone call outside?"
Without missing a beat, She puffed up and belted me with "BITCH! I cans do whatever I wan! Itz a free country!"
I thought about it for a second and imparted this before I took my leave: "Yes, it is a free country, however, no, you cannot do whatever you want. In a polite society we live by rules and respect. It's unfortunate that you and others who insist on being rude and inconsiderate are ruining the ideal."
and yeah, I walked away fairly quickly. Have you seen those chunky heels lately?
Posted by: Tru at August 31, 2010 1:30 AM
Long line at Subway. It was this woman's turn to order, and as she tells the server what bread she wants her phone rings... and she actually answers it, and argues with her boyfriend all the way through her order. By the time she gets to the veggies, everyone in front of her has paid and left, and the person at the register repeats her total four times... no doubt a nice way to reminder her she needs to hurry up.
Posted by: Trust at August 31, 2010 2:38 AM
I posted this on the blog before, but it fits nicely into this category.
When I was working as an assistant manager at a small women's clothing store, I'd frequently get customers who talked on their phones while paying (and paying no attention to me, at that). But one woman took the birthday flan. She had been talking since she came into the store (and who knows how long before that). She talked on her phone while browsing, disturbing the other customers in our small space. She talked while trying on her clothes, disturbing the other ladies in the fitting room who were trying to ask for our help. She talked while asking us to get her something in a different size. She then talked the whole time I was ringing up her purchases and stopped only after I asked her repeatedly to end her call so she could pay, since she had not been paying any attention to me or the other people in line behind her. She paused her conversation only long enough to give me her credit card after I'd asked several times. Then she got back on the phone and apologized to her friend while I bagged her purchases.
I'm so sorry that my trying to do my job and serve you has gotten in the way of your chat about Peggy's mysterious rash.
Posted by: NumberSix at August 31, 2010 8:19 AM
The other really memorable cell phone infraction occurred back in November in the Southwest terminal in Vegas. All the seats at our gate were full and we were minutes from boarding, so I had nowhere to go. This man sitting next to me (big guy who for some reason just had to sit with his legs spread as wide as they'd go, actually touching my leg with his at one point--and I'm a small person sitting as far to the other side of my seat as I could go) was on the phone with his girlfriend and let me (and the rest of McCarran Airport, for that matter) have information about his relationship that he was telling his Gf she shouldn't tell anyone.
Even if I hadn't already known, this conversation would have clued me into the fact that this guy was a jerk. He had apparently been cheating on his girlfriend for years, and she found out. Her friend wisely told her to dump him because he'd done it before and he was an asshole in so many other ways. He then starts telling GF that her friend is just jealous because she can't get a guy and she's always tried to come between them. He put up a spirited, if stupid, defense against these admittedly true accusations. See, he told her that it was all true, but that she should just let him walk all over her anyway. He then proceeded to fill her (and me and everyone else in earshot) in on just when and where and with whom his transgressions occurred. The best gem of the conversation was this: "The heart attack was real; the car accident was only a minor lie."
I sat there, bone-tired after getting up horrendously early, asking this guy to please either end his call or go somewhere else to talk. He ignored me except for dirty looks as he kept telling his girlfriend that his having sex with a random woman in another city didn't count because he didn't care about her. I was half-wishing he'd spontaneously combust like a Spinal Tap drummer and half-wishing I had a pen and paper handy to take notes.
Posted by: NumberSix at August 31, 2010 8:32 AM
A firefighter was on a cardio mchine behind the one I was on at the gym. He was discussing the staffing levels of the various fire stations in his city. If I were a terrorist, I'd know one of that city's vulnerabilities.
Posted by: Tom at August 31, 2010 4:51 PM
Talking on the cell while driving. I have yet to see anyone do this and not a) speed up and slow down at random b) nearly hit a car next to them, or the curb, because they were too busy yacking and not watching where they were going or c) either running a light or slamming on their brakes at the last second, because, again, not paying attention.
Shut up and drive, people. If you MUST take the call, pull over. Honestly, I'd rather be on the road with a bunch of drunks - at least they're TRYING to drive well.
Posted by: Ann at August 31, 2010 6:53 PM
How about people checking their texts at the movies? In a very dark room, that flash of light from your phone illuminates and if you like to sit high up in the audience, I can see occasional "flashes" of light popping up throughout the audience.
A few months ago, I was at a rooftop bar in Laguna Beach. Having had a few drinks, I needed to use the bathroom badly. That restaurant has only one restroom on the roof, and I found a line of three men waiting, and really pissed off. One guy said, "I've been waiting for half an hour! What the hell is going on in there?". The door finally opens, and a young lady stumbles out, says apologetically, "sorry it took so long, I had to take an important phone call."
Posted by: Geee at September 2, 2010 1:36 AM
I hate people who want to talk on their cells at places like school plays and graduations and such. My son had an awards program not too long ago where he was being recognized for community service for helping clean the banks of a local public recreation spot on the river close to our house. A woman in the audience got a call from one of her (I assume) older children and proceeded to argue with him over his curfew and how he was "somkin crack if he thought he was gonna go out with that little hoochie tonight and impregnate her." Classy, and just what the elementary kids needed to hear, don't ya think?
Posted by: Jessica at September 3, 2010 1:14 PM
This is a cell phone issue I have. Oddly enough both sides think the other side is wrong/rude.
During working hours, my time belongs to my employer. I do not answer my cell phone or even check messages except during lunch break. I usually do not return calls until I am home at night.
The opposite side of this argument suggests that not answering immediately is rude. Even if I am at work.
I generally use my breaks and lunch time to go for a brisk walk and get out and unclench. And eat. Or use the bathroom. Shockingly, I do not wish to chat on the phone at those moments.
I can't believe that people can be so selfish as to think that they can demand instant attention on demand.
Posted by: LauraGr at September 3, 2010 5:35 PM
It's why I bought a cell phone jammer...it's so funny when I flip the switch and watch them look blankly at their phone.
Posted by: Greg at September 4, 2010 12:40 AM
I'm against cell phone jammers. As I wrote in I SEE RUDE PEOPLE:
A lot of commenters were steamed about the yahoos who disrupt movie theater audiences with cell phone conversations and with the lighted screens of their wireless binkies. Many commenters were in favor of cell phone jammers, electronic devices, illegal in the U.S., that transmit a radio frequency that blocks cell phone signals and ends or prevents calls. Jammers come in a range of sizes and strengths -- cell phone-sized to silence the vulgarian across from you in the dentist’s office, or large and powerful enough to civilize entire restaurants or theaters.I’m actually against these gizmos because I don’t think it’s fair to preemptively punish everybody because some people are rude. Also, there are those who really do need to be reachable, like parents, doctors on call, and patients waiting for a new liver. I can hear one transplant nurse saying to another: “Whoops, went to voicemail…who’s next on the list?”
Posted by: Amy Alkon at September 4, 2010 1:17 AM
On the train home a woman was talking on her cell phone loudly for nearly the entire trip. Everyone could hear her side of the conversation, but no one said anything, including me obviously.
At one point in the conversation the woman asked "Did you get my email"? A man in the car answered loudly "No, I left it at home." Several people chuckled. The woman on the cell phone didn't react. The conversation continued and ended a few minutes later.
Posted by: hadsil at September 4, 2010 7:01 PM
I have a friend who would drop dead if she wasn't talking on her cell phone. There is no conversation that she pays attention to because she is so busy either texting someone or answering her phone. She even has the nerve to ask my input when she wants to text something witty. It put a strain on our friendship because she has a serious addiction to the phone. We could be at dinner, a movie, even at a wake, and she is texting away on the phone or speaking in what she thinks is a whisper.
My son recently began a job working as a cashier at one of those Costco like places. He said that more than half of his customers ignore him while they sit on the phone. He usually has to ask repeatedly for their membership card and form of payment. Some customers roll their eyes at him and treat him like he's stupid for interrupting their conversation to complete the transaction.
Posted by: Kristen at September 6, 2010 6:07 PM
I hated it while working at Europcar, too. They'd get a call, and you'd have to stop partway through processing their rental to ask them a question. Then you'd wait while they yakked away for what seemed like ages, usually with people waiting behind them.
Posted by: Sonja at September 8, 2010 11:06 AM
Last night I was walking down the street, a young woman walking behind me was talking loudly on her cellphone. I heard, "so I asked him what the straps were for and he said, 'Why don't we try it out right now.' So, he strapped me to the bed. The strap went across my 'boobs' [sic] sort of like a seat belt..." At that point she was rude enough to turn the corner so I was unable to find out what happened. Damn.
Posted by: Ingrid at September 15, 2010 8:59 PM
It's so rare that they say anything interesting!
Posted by: Amy Alkon at September 15, 2010 10:29 PM
Two stories:
1) I hate, hate, hate when people use their cell phones while driving. Once I was biking home (on non-major, residential streets). A woman in an SUV was driving near me, stopping at the same red lights and stop signs I stopped at. She had her BlackBerry on her lap and was driving slowly while looking something up. At one intersection, I yelled into her open window that the light had turned green (she was looking at the phone and hadn't noticed). She thanked me for telling her. As I rode away, I said, "I hope what you're looking up is as important as your life." Or mine! That neighborhood has a lot of pedestrians and cyclists. Pay attention to the road.
2) Phones you can store music on are the new boomboxes. Having to listen to loud, misogynistic rap music during my morning commute is so unpleasant.
Posted by: Sara at September 26, 2010 2:34 AM
My sister works for a company that doesn't allow cell phone use throughout the day. I know this and will avoid calling her but if I need to tell her something I'll leave a message and not expect a call till the end of her work day. Other people seem not to be so understanding. She finally had to start leaving her phone in her car when her boyfriend called her 14 times in a row leaving angrier and angrier messages when she didn't answer. Others have complained about her lack of availability as well. I don't understand why people would think someone else's cell phone is for their convenience. Mine is for me, so I can call people when I need to, not so I can answer any and every time they call.
Of course I don't use my cell at times that would be considered rude even if it is not convenient for me. :)
Posted by: Katebo at September 28, 2010 5:44 AM
katebo: My work location had a ban on even having mobile phones in our area of the building. We had to place them in lockers.
Now, we've moved, and are allowed our phones. Some think this means they can have it turned up loud and take long, private calls on work time. That annoys me.
Posted by: Sonja at September 28, 2010 11:27 PM
I was getting some waxing services done at my local salon and found it disconcerting that the lady was gabbing away on her cell phone the entire time she was working on me one-handed! Turns out she had a bone to pick with her cable company that couldn't wait until she was between customers (this salon isn't even that busy).
Posted by: JB at October 25, 2010 8:27 PM
I am a cashier at a semi-major grocery store and find it odd that I have full transactions with CHILDREN because mom can't get off the phone. This is in addition to them ignoring me during the transaction, that is timed by the way. Also, we are expected to carry on conversations with these "adults" as well as ask a set script that demands answers (even on uscan) from the guest. Even a simple sorry (to the EMPLOYEE) followed by a quick "bye" to the person on the other end of the call helps. Remember that the person in front of you wants you out as quickly and pleasently as you do! So be nice and turn off the cell.
Posted by: Rai at November 18, 2010 6:27 PM
I was just at a Starbucks and while I was at a table engrossed in my work, a guy and his wife and baby sit down RIGHT behind me. The dude is blabbing on the phone talking about his crazy ex-wife. After a few minutes, I turned and siad, 'I'm sorry but I feel I'm inadvertently eavesdropping on a very personal conversation. Could you please take it outside?' He tells me he's not going to stop and tells his listener that "a really rude woman doesn't want me to speak with my family.' Then I said in my non-indoor voice "Nobody wants to hear your private conversation!" At which time he called me a crazy person who 'should not be allowed outside.' His wife told the baristas that I wanted to stop her and her husband from speaking (they weren't--he was on the damn phone.' At any rate, I've never had such a pr**Kish reaction at this reasonable request. I worry if no one speaks up, it will only get worse.
Posted by: margery kempe at November 27, 2010 11:20 PM
I worry the same, Margery, and good for you for saying something. What's crazy is that people think it's okay to privatize public space -- what should be shared space -- and take it over as if it's all their own.
Posted by: Amy Alkon at November 28, 2010 12:26 AM
are some tips
1. No gross health information in the grocery checkout via cell phone.
2. Do not share personal information with a friend in public. I wish I were joking when I say that a customer told her friend that her child had an "anger problem" and had an a appointment at such-and-such a place.
3. Don't apologize to the PERSON you are talking to on the phone while I am standing there waiting for you to do something.
4. Why is it that some people cannot go anywhere with those damn ear buds in their ears? Will they cease to exist without their ipod?
5. Use a Self-scan if you insist on invading my personal space by scanning your savings card.
Posted by: startingtodislikepeople at December 10, 2010 4:05 PM
My partner and I were riding on the Long Island Railroad listening to a woman having a very loud and rambling conversation about nothing (complete with a classic Fran Drescher-like accent). Every so often someone would sigh or mutter a remark hoping she would hear them and take the hint. At one point she said, "When I met you, you were fourteen years old, and didn't have a job. Nor should you have. How many fourteen-year-olds do you know that have jobs?" At that point the hubby and I instinctively raised our hands. The rest of the people in the car saw us, laughed, and immediately followed suit. Next thing I know everyone is loudly saying things like, "YOU had a job at fourteen?" "Me TOO!" "Hey, so did I!" "Hey lady, we ALL had jobs when were fourteen!" To the woman's credit she sheepishly forced a chuckle and lowered her voice after that.
Posted by: JonnyT at December 31, 2010 6:34 AM
I advocate public beheadings for first-time cell phone offenders, but I'm just weird like that. I'll never forget my first encounter with someone using "bluetooth" technology. I was in a K-Mart and next to me was a long-haired woman who seemed to be shouting disjointed sentences to imaginary people. I almost turned and left the building in fear when I noticed a little device in her ear. Her hair had been concealing the bluetooth unit. Only then did it dawn on me that she was talking to an actual person who wasn't there.
Posted by: Randy R. at January 1, 2011 5:27 AM
Now here's an interesting rude-talker encounter, replete with cell phone, firearm, attitude and heroics:
http://www.tiredblackman.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=8627
Posted by: Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at May 15, 2011 9:06 PM
After a quick perusal of other comments to see if this one's been mentioned I didn't see one but forgive me if its been covered cause like I said, it was a quick perusal....
How about the cell phone abuser you can't hear, but SEE....as in...while driving along, hmmm, why is that bicyclist swerving out of the bike lane and into the car lane (the one I'm driving in!), are they tipsy? Upon closer inspection, well maybe they are, but they are also TALKING ON A CELL PHONE!!! (Did I mention they were riding a bike?) I've seen this before and it is truly astounding. This isn't just rude behavior but downright STUPID! Anyone?
Posted by: Suzanne at July 26, 2011 2:09 AM
I seem to know lots of people who like to text like the following fictitious example.
Friend: Are you going to the park today? My kid wants to go and I thought it would be fun to have a park playdate.
Me: No, my kid has swim lessons.
Friend: OK.
Friend: Maybe next time.
Friend: Have fum at swim lessons.
Friend: fun
Friend: :)
Why do all those texts at the end need to be sent separately, seconds apart? As soon as I open one, it's covered by a "new text" announcement. If I'm replying and accidentally open in the course of typing, I will loose my draft (ok, there's probably a way around this, but still).
If you want to talk, call! If not, at least put the many teeny texts in one message!
Not EVERYONE has unlimited plans and 5 audio/vibrate announcements in a row is annoying too.
Posted by: Shannon M. Howell at July 2, 2012 10:40 PM
I hate the people who walk down the street on their phones or wander around shops talking on their phones and not paying attention to who they're walking into! I find that on a 10-minute walk to work in the morning, I'm having to say "watch where you're going please" to these jerks at least 20 times and most of them just give you a dirty look and carry on!
Posted by: Vik at March 30, 2013 6:36 PM
My apologies if this has been mentioned before. I may have missed seeing it.
I hate rude texters!!!
Trying to maneuver around people texting on their phones is quite annoying to me. I've had this experience at the grocery store and in an airport terminal. To relieve the stress I started whistling thru my lips a soft melody and as I got closer to the person blocking the way, the louder my whistling gets. It's kinda funny watching them look startled!!! Works every time!!!
I have often wondered how people texting and ignoring pedestrians on the street would react if a homeless person would approach them and ask to clean their phones for a dollar(remember when they did it to cars?). I can imagine the reaction to having their phone spritzed with water as they are walking by. Can somebody give the homeless some mini water bottles and mini squeegees?? I bet lots of phones would disappear from their hands and back in their pockets!!!!
Posted by: michelle at May 11, 2013 5:44 PM
My pet peeve is when I'm riding the bus and mostly people heading from schools are worst offenders in cell phone rudeness. Several times, I have seen students and employees constantly yelling on their phones, screaming and anything to make a ridiculous scene while everyone else is going on with their business.
These people can take their drama and shove it basically.
Posted by: Susie at February 10, 2014 6:18 AM
A couple years ago I had a medical emergency and required surgery and a week stay in the hospital. When I left the first place I went was the local CVS to grab my prescriptions, bandages, and other sundries. The is one checker and one old lady in front of me so I think I will get out because I am in bad pain and can barely stand. About half way through the old lady emptying the little carry around basket her phone rings. The phone is kept in a massive purse that is the size of a lawn debris trash bag. She digs around and sheepishly says, "Isn't that just dandy that someone always has to call in the middle of something."
So rather than just ignore the phone and finish her purchase she digs the phone out and answers. "Oh, I'm just at the store not doing anything. How are you?" "Uh huh, uh huh, yeah, uh huh." Completely useless conversation. I look at the flabbergasted clerk who is rolling her eyes because she's in the middle of ringing up the total and she can't do anything.
The old lady continues babbling away and I finally lose it because I am in real pain. I grab all her stuff throw it back in her basket, move the basket, and find a manager to cancel the order and ring me up. The old lady is shocked that I could be so rude as she's wandering away from her massive purse and the checkout counter.
Posted by: Stan at December 10, 2014 9:18 AM
I can't stand when people talk extremely loud on their cell phones at the Library! Today I was trying to get some work done on the computer because I'm having some computer issues on my home computer. This lady that is sitting next to me is talking super loud and I can hear the other person talking too. I'm not quite sure what makes these RUDE people think that everybody including me wants to hear their conversations! I could really care less about what they are doing and who they are doing it with! I have a cell phone and I don't conduct any business in a public place where anybody can overhear my business! After I heard a 2nd Rude lady answer her cell phone by saying HELLO,I'M AT THE LIBRARY.... I said under my breath....yeah, we all know your at the library! Your s*** stinks like everybody else and why are you so special to talk so LOUDLY on your cell phone?? Also, parents please watch your kids and tell them it's not Romper Room or a day care! Kids run wild in the local libraries here in my town! WOW! I feel so much better now venting about all the RUDE people here at the library!
Posted by: Kristin at February 24, 2016 11:36 PM
I'm really so bothered by people on their cell phones everywhere! You can't just peacefully get cash out at the ATM, shop in the grocery store, stand in line at the Coffee Shop, walk down the street without being subjected to someone's loud cellphone conversation. I'm the crazy person who asks them to please go outside, adding that the "ATM/Grocery Store/Starbucks" is not a public phonebooth. To which 90% tell me it's none of my business. I'm sorry, but when you're talking loudly in public, it's everyone in the vicinities business. But I fear it's only going to get worse so I better seek some sort of therapy to stop caring so much as I'm constantly in a state of aggravation/frustration.
Posted by: RainingInPanama at April 1, 2017 8:16 PM