Like the See-You-Next-Tuesday who walked into our local Starbucks with a cell phone glued to her ear a few minutes ago; the one who didn't even pause her conversation long enough to give her order to the barista. I've really got to hand it to the folks who work here—they have the patience of angels to put up with the overinflated egos and rudeness of some of the people who frequent this place.
NO FOAM!
I did a brief stint in the retail world back in my early 20s, but I don't think I could do it again today. I just don't have the patience to put up with the people who think they're a gift to humanity. I would've told the bitch I wasn't going to serve her until she put down her phone and would've probably gotten promptly fired for it.
And because no one besides government offices and banks can apparently get away with actually doing that, it's the reason this type of behavior is tolerated.
I like Scot's approach. I'm going to start doing that at my studio.
I don't have a problem with that. I think people have become a bit too reactionary to this behavior. As long as the person can relay their order expediently and not take up my time, it OK in my book. The barista (or whatever may be the case) is simply receiving and delivering the order, there's no relationship development expectation or reason that the customer has to give their undivided attention to the employee. This, of course, doesn't apply to situations where a conversation with the service person is required. I don't see cell phone conversations as any different than if I was talking to a person next to me.
When people who have traded in manners for cell phones come into the shop where I work, I hand them one of the business cards that are on the front counter and tell the to call me when they're done. Either they hang up or I walk away. Works every time.
You hit the nail on the head; rudeness thrives because no one is willing to stand up and say "Stop that, that's ugly." Especially service people. I wish this would change.
This kind of thing (which happens ALL the time) is why I dislike cellphones. Unless you are a real estate agent or need your phone for work, please stop annoying everyone around you with your meaningless conversations.
Everyone should be required to work retail at least once in his or her lifetime. The value of the perspective change is incalculable. As far as treating the world to your end of a cellphone conversation, I still venture to say some people think of it as "performance art," and that you should be enthralled.
In my neighborhood here in Studio City, many people go for walks or go take their dogs for a walk. I will be sitting in my living room and will hear some person talking so loud I can hear every word. I get up and look to see "who the shit is that", and the person is not only talking loudly on their phone, they are across the street. I will never understand why a person needs to YELL when theyu are on a cell phone. I would think that by now the "look I have a cell phone" thing was over. Talk loudly on your phone, prove you are an idiot, don't get me started.