cell phone use rant

[NotaGeek]

For me, I'll go back to the tolerance. Of things in the world to consider a problem, this would be rather low on my list.

But that's just my opinion, and it's likely wrong.

Maybe that's because you don't own a pizzeria and have this happen to you daily. The original poster asked in regards to her restaurant, specifically to her life. I stand firm, tolerance doesn't lose way to common courtesy.

[crazypoohbear]

Can't we all just get along????

Granted it is not a big problem... unless it is happening to you time and again.

Cell phones are a great convieniece... they don't excuse proper behavior though.

why is is okay to ignore a person waiting on you but it is not okay to ask the person on the phone to hold a moment??

What are we teaching our kids, that they can't point and grunt to get what they want "use your words"
but it is okay for us to point and grunt at what we want.

I disagree with Marker in that I still beleive that there is common curtesy, common sense left in the world. IT's just getting harder to see, maybe because everyone is on the phone

Maybe if we lead others will follow!
Lets all start today, when someone is waiting on you, stop for a moment and smile say please and thank you. Maybe it will catch on.

[NotaGeek]

Can't we all just get along????

No one is fighting. This is merely discussion. We are all fine.

[crazeedizneefinatic]

I see no reason as a business owner to be able to put up a polite sign to say something in regards to please end your phone call for a few seconds to order. I see it alot now. Don't know how the sign read word for word but I did not take offense. I do also work from home and the phone is a vital lifeline to me. I schedule my post office visit or meal ordering around my schedule.

Common courtesy has flown out the window. Imagine a small business owner chit chatting on the phone and saying nothing to a customer ordering, ringing them up and just putting their hand out to be paid. I can assume they would not be in business long. Both situations are rude. That is what has happened to this world, everyone considers there business more important than others. My job, my phone call, my life. All respect is gone, and imagine what the world will be like when our children grow up, scary to think.

Believe me, I know cell phones has become a necessary evil but a little commen courtesy or some self sacrafice is not unheard of.

[Emily]

No one is fighting. This is merely discussion. We are all fine.

True enough, except I fail to see where comments like this:

I guess you are correct. Some people are far more important than others.

... are productive or relevant to the conversation.

[NotaGeek]

True enough, except I fail to see where comments like this:



... are productive or relevant to the conversation.

Hmmm. I didn't think that we had the relevance filter turned on. That was a joke.

If you would like to discuss the relevance of my comments, feel free to PM me. I don't think that our conversation has been derailed, it's been fairly on target. Clearly there are differing points of view, but that doesn't give anyone the right to assume their point of view is correct.

[Disney Doll]

I also don't think it's really fair to say NO job, NO person, NO phone call is that important. Wouldn't the flip side to that be that I'm more important and any Job, Person, or phone call you may be making?

For me, I'll go back to the tolerance. Of things in the world to consider a problem, this would be rather low on my list.

But that's just my opinion, and it's likely wrong.

I truly cannot think of any reason why someone couldn't take a few seconds out of their phone conversation to politely place a lunch order without pointing and gesturing. Yes in the grand scheme of things this is low on the list, but I fail to see how anyone can preach tolerance without acknowledging the need for respect and manners.

When I used to work retail I hated it when someone in line to check out would stand there on the phone while I was trying to help them. Do I interrupt them? Do I wait as they clog up the line? Usually I just took the next person in line while they finished their conversation and most people were fine with that.

[Ed]

Okay, here's my .

My job requires me to carry a cell phone issued by my employer, and I also carry my personal one. I refer to them as my "electronic leashes".

If I get tied up on an 'important' call on either phone, I skip my lunch. Period. End of problem.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but there is no way I'd try to make any kind of purchase or order a meal while I'm on the phone. I was raised to address people who are waiting on me politely, and always using those words we try to impress on our kids - - "Please" and "Thank You". I simply refuse to resort to hand gestures or nods of my head. If nothing else, if she was still among us, I know my mom would slap me in the head if I did that.

And I have no intention of changing now.

It's simply called common courtesy. Which, regrettably, is not so common any more.

[Jeff]

Common Sense or Common Courtesy, they don't exist. To say they are rare, means they are not "common".

I also don't think it's really fair to say NO job, NO person, NO phone call is that important. Wouldn't the flip side to that be that I'm more important and any Job, Person, or phone call you may be making?

For me, I'll go back to the tolerance. Of things in the world to consider a problem, this would be rather low on my list.

Well said Marker.

I'll be quite honest. The whole "cell phones are rude" thing is totally lost on me.

I agree.

[offwego]

I have to tell you this is one of the reasons I love self scanners, pre order machines etc..that way if I'm on my phone the scanning thing could care less. (seriously I use them at the grocery store all the time so that I don't have to hang up!)

While I don't think I've ever done the point and grunt I know I have taken a call in line many a time and will likely do so again. The call is how I make money to pay for the stuff so it's likely I'll answer it instead of ignoring it. However I normally do apologize to the other person. The weirdest one was at a flower store where my phone rang 6 times in like 10 minutes. It was beyond bizzare but all of them were work or important family calls as it was close to Christmas. The florist was fine with it as she had to input each order anyway and at least then I wasn't standing there waiting on her..and the fact that they were nice about it meant serious additional business for them in the next few months. (I send flowers for work all the time and they got all my business after that..for being nice about the phone! at least 500 per month)

[crazypoohbear]

No one is fighting. This is merely discussion. We are all fine.

Hmmm. I didn't think that we had the relevance filter turned on. That was a joke.

If you would like to discuss the relevance of my comments, feel free to PM me. I don't think that our conversation has been derailed, it's been fairly on target. Clearly there are differing points of view, but that doesn't give anyone the right to assume their point of view is correct.

Just wanted to clarify... I was joking as well.!

[Dakota Rose]

When we had our retail shop, we had customers do this several times. I figured if someone wanted to buy a $150 set of depression glass while talking to their sister on the cell, it wasn't my duty to stop 'em. It's not like the transaction was a life-or-death situation. But that's just me.

Once I was in a department store when I got an unexpected call from a supplier. Being that they were in another country and 10 hours ahead, I took the call. I was browsing, not in line or anything. The nearby clerk made a snide comment to another customer right in front of me. That was the last time I shopped in that store.

One thing I've learned from being self-employed (both of my parents were as well) is that if you start making rules for your customers, you need to be willing to lose their business.

[DisneyAddict62]

I came home last night after being on my feet 12 hours to find the replies to my post. I was just way too tired to respond.

Just to clarify:
1. I never said I was going to "refuse" to wait on anyone. But, if I am busy making someone else's order, and you come in on the phone, I'll tell you I'll be right with you and finish what I am doing. Maybe you'll be done with your call by then. The "nail clickers" are usually those buying a $1.35 slice of cheese pizza. Yes, we have plenty of customers, with our dining area for 40 filled to capacity at lunchtime. They are sometimes lined to the door for pick ups. That $1.35 isn't going to make or break us!
2. I would bet big money that the majority of the people that come in on their phones are NOT on business calls. Usually our business professionals, do apologize if they are on the phone, or wait off to the side and finish their call first, before coming to the counter.
3. I agree with Dulcee, that is it frustrating and demeaning to have someone chatting away while I am trying to help them. Our phone could be ringing away, but if I have a customer in front of me, I wait on them first. I don't take phone calls while I am waiting on a customer, or making their food.
4. I am assuming that those of you that think this behavior should just be tolerated, have never been on the other side of that counter. This is something that happens day in and day out, several times a day. I am sensing both an "it's only pizza" and an "I'm paying YOU, so you should just put up with it" attitude.
5. I never said cell phone are rude. I have one, I use it. I just don't use it while ordering or paying for merchandise, when I am being waited on.

If I could post a sign and get away with it, it could contain this:
1. You will be waited on after you finish your call, I've been raised not to interrupt people when they are talking.
2. If you call and ask our specials, and I tell you them, don't ask if there is anything else. If there was, I'd have told you!
3. Don't call on the phone and ask if we are hiring. If you are that lazy, you're too lazy to work here, especially with minimum wage going up again in July. And, when filling out an application, and it asks for qualifications, don't say "I like pizza."
4. Don't try to get something for nothing. Don't call on Monday and say you had gotten a burnt pizza on Sunday, we're not open! (This happens!)
5. Your order is made-to-order. Don't say "that long!" when I tell you it will be 15 minutes. Would you like it cooked?
6. Extra toppings cost more money. When we get it for free, we'll give it to you free.
7. Please don't ask me if those slices that I JUST put in the display, or the pepperoni rolls are fresh. Gee, no, they have been laying back there for a couple days, we just thought we could get rid of them.
8. Don't get an attitude when I tell you we are out of pepperoni rolls for the day. I can't go pluck some off the pepperoni roll tree we have growing out back.
9. Don't ask me how many people a pizza will feed. Does your family eat one slice a piece or 3, I don't know.
10. Please don't ask for donations for your local events if you are from another town. Please go ask the businesses in YOUR town.
11. Please try to have your order together BEFORE you call. I don't really have the time to listen to you while you ask everyone what they want.
12. Please don't call at 11:30 and want 25 pizzas for your meeting at 12:00. It isn't going to happen. Good luck finding another place that could. You didn't know about this meeting earlier this morning, or even yesterday?! You are not the only order we have.
AND, last but not least -
13. Please don't talk down to us like we are the lowly fast food workers. We don't just work here, we own the place. My husband is in there every day at 6:30 AM making dough from scratch, often working 15-16 hour days. I put in 8-12 depending the kids' activities. We are on our feet all day. When you need a delivery at 11:15, we will be there at 11:15. This is our livelihood, we do everything we can to make sure your order is correct , fresh, hot and delicious. The stress level during lunchtime is through the roof. And what time did you get out of bed today?

I'm sure there are more, I just can't of them right now.

Rant over.

(NotaGeek, thanks for the support!)

[PirateLover]

Wow, people have very strong, hard line opinions on this. I'm kind of a middle of the road person. Do I think it's rude to be on the phone while ordering and not say a word to the person helping you? Yes. But I also think it's rude to hang around and not wait on a customer until they are off of their phone. I've been in the middle of convos with people before, and sometimes I'll talk to them until the person comes to help me, then I'll put the convo on hold, smile and give my order, and pick the convo back up while I'm waiting for my food.

If this is really a huge issue for you (and I think that it is) I think it would be OK to make a sign that had a cell phone with a line through it and said "Please complete your call before you order. Thank you!" Business people can mute for two seconds to order and then return to the convo.

As for your other complaints...those are all things that range from slightly inconsiderate to rude to just plain stupid (on the part of the customer). But, honestly, I think that we all could come up with lists like that with every job. I realize the need to vent, heck we all come on here and do it all the time. But you have one of the most intense customer service jobs there are and unfortunately most people are never going to change. Just look at it this way though, at least you are you own boss and you don't have to deal with the customers AND management.

I could tell you hundreds of stories from my fiance' who works as a butcher at a major grocery store... like the people who make him re cut meat after he just put fresh cuts on display, then change their mind about buying... or management not wanting them to have a radio on in the back when they have to come in, sometimes alone, 2 hrs before the store even opens to prep food. But I digress.

The bottom line is, I think that as human beings we are naturally selfish. Chalk it up to original sin, survival of the fittest, whatever... The problem most of the time is that many people just don't think about other people. It's disheartening but true.

[Ian]

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but there is no way I'd try to make any kind of purchase or order a meal while I'm on the phone. I was raised to address people who are waiting on me politely, and always using those words we try to impress on our kids - - "Please" and "Thank You". I simply refuse to resort to hand gestures or nods of my head. If nothing else, if she was still among us, I know my mom would slap me in the head if I did that.

Okay, Ed's post made me really feel the need to make sure I'm clear on my comments. I know, I know ... I said I was out of this post, but I'm pretty sure people have the wrong impression of what I was trying to say.

I would NEVER try to order food (or anything else, for that matter) without talking to the person assisting me. I think I said this before, but if I'm at a point in the call where I can't put it on mute I will wait to get in any lines.

I think the worst thing I may have done is browsed in like a clothing store and gone up to the checkout to pay without muting the line. Even then I say hello and thank you to the clerk ringing up my sale.

I want to state this very clearly (why do I feel like Barack Obama here? ) ... I totally agree that it's very rude to try and order by pointing and gesturing and grunting and I would never do that myself.

I have to tell you this is one of the reasons I love self scanners, pre order machines etc..that way if I'm on my phone the scanning thing could care less. (seriously I use them at the grocery store all the time so that I don't have to hang up!)

This is the best solution for me, as well.

[Marker]

If I could post a sign and get away with it, it could contain this:
1. You will be waited on after you finish your call, I've been raised not to interrupt people when they are talking.
2. If you call and ask our specials, and I tell you them, don't ask if there is anything else. If there was, I'd have told you!
3. Don't call on the phone and ask if we are hiring. If you are that lazy, you're too lazy to work here, especially with minimum wage going up again in July. And, when filling out an application, and it asks for qualifications, don't say "I like pizza."
4. Don't try to get something for nothing. Don't call on Monday and say you had gotten a burnt pizza on Sunday, we're not open! (This happens!)
5. Your order is made-to-order. Don't say "that long!" when I tell you it will be 15 minutes. Would you like it cooked?
6. Extra toppings cost more money. When we get it for free, we'll give it to you free.
7. Please don't ask me if those slices that I JUST put in the display, or the pepperoni rolls are fresh. Gee, no, they have been laying back there for a couple days, we just thought we could get rid of them.
8. Don't get an attitude when I tell you we are out of pepperoni rolls for the day. I can't go pluck some off the pepperoni roll tree we have growing out back.
9. Don't ask me how many people a pizza will feed. Does your family eat one slice a piece or 3, I don't know.
10. Please don't ask for donations for your local events if you are from another town. Please go ask the businesses in YOUR town.
11. Please try to have your order together BEFORE you call. I don't really have the time to listen to you while you ask everyone what they want.
12. Please don't call at 11:30 and want 25 pizzas for your meeting at 12:00. It isn't going to happen. Good luck finding another place that could. You didn't know about this meeting earlier this morning, or even yesterday?! You are not the only order we have.
AND, last but not least -
13. Please don't talk down to us like we are the lowly fast food workers. We don't just work here, we own the place. My husband is in there every day at 6:30 AM making dough from scratch, often working 15-16 hour days. I put in 8-12 depending the kids' activities. We are on our feet all day. When you need a delivery at 11:15, we will be there at 11:15. This is our livelihood, we do everything we can to make sure your order is correct , fresh, hot and delicious. The stress level during lunchtime is through the roof. And what time did you get out of bed today?

Given the list of rules, I can't help but have a certain Seinfeld episode brought to mind, but instead of "soup", in my mind I'm hearing "NO PIZZA FOR YOU!!".

[tinkwest]

In response to your original question, DisneyAddict62 . . .

I'd love to put a sign up about finishing their call before their transaction, but can't find the right words. Anyone have any suggestions?

. . . I don't know if putting up a sign would help the situation. My guess, the people who think they can place an order without paying you the slightest bit of attention will also not pay any attention to the sign.

Having a customer on a cell phone while placing an order with me does not bother me much as long as they can give me their attention at the same time or pull themselves away from the phone for the few minutes that it takes to order. BUT when they completely ignore me and the questions I need answered to complete their order to their specifications (for example: what type of salad dressing, what size of drink, etc.) or if I can't tell if they are talking to me or the person on the other end of their phone call (resulting in an inaccurate order) I begin to care just a bit less about their satisfaction. Their actions are annoying and disrespectful, IMO.

Some people are just going to be what I consider rude no matter what. So even though I would like to put up a sign that says "Am I on my cell phone while taking your order? Please offer the same courtesy." I grin, bear it, and release my frustration by complaining about it to my fellow employees after the customer has left.

[Tiggerlovr9000]

Here is another spin on this. I work a 10 hour shift with no scheduled breaks. There is no one to cover for me if I take lunch,etc.So I have to do it when I can. I sometimes wait on customers while I am on the phone with my children. I'm a bartender so its not like its life or death. But I still feel guilty when I do it, but I also feel guilty if I don't answer the call when I am too
busy. Luckily my employer totally has no problem with me talking to my children on the cell phone.

[joonyer]

Fortunately, I work in a courtroom, (I get to sit on the bench) and we have a rule (and a large SIGN) that says NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED. Yet, you'd be surprised at the number of people who still try take a phone into the courtroom, telling the bailiff, "But I am expecting an important call". The bailiffs just tell them "Well you have a choice, you can attend your hearing or you can wait outside for your call, but you cannot take the phone into the courtroom. It's your choice, but the Judge is not going to wait on you". I realize that the courtroom is a unique place (not like a restaurant) but the fact that many in our society don't see anything wrong with trying to bring a cell phone into a court hearing is an indication of where our culture's obsession with political correctness, including worshipping at the altar of "tolerance" of all things has brought us.

I would applaud any restaurant owner who put up a sign saying "please turn your cell phone off while ordering". I, for one, would go out of my way to patronize an establishment that establishes any rules of common courtesy or decorum, including limiting the the use of cell phones, so they would gain me as a customer. (and I carry a cell phone). One local restaurant where I eat regularly prohibits cell phone conversations altogether while dining, and it is not a fancy place. I've no doubt that some people do not eat there because of this restriction, but it has no shortage of customers; it is packed every day at lunch time.

[ncscgirl2005]

I personally do not talk on the phone when someone is waiting on me. If I am on the phone when I get in line, I make sure my voice is low so as to not bother other people, and I always either hang up (usually the case) or put the person on hold when it's my turn in line. If someone calls (usually family or friends since I don't get work calls on my cell) I will not answer until I am done with my transaction.

I started reading this thread right before lunch but didn't finish all of the posts. So it was very ironic when I went to Subway and actually witnessed this going down.There was a young man in front of me chatting away on his cell phone (the same young man who was on his cell phone when he cut me off in the parking lot and never even seen me). When it was his turn to order he told them what he wanted all while still carrying on a conversation () on the phone. The girl behind the counter was confused because at times she could not tell if he was talking to her or not. And then the unthinkable happend....she put onions on his sandwich and boy did he get upset! But he still didn't end his call!!! And I can tell you that it was not a business call....unless of course he's a magazine editor or a nightclub reviewer and writes reviews on the latest nightclub and how bad the parking was at club such and such last night, and how packed it was for a Tuesday night, and what time the club ended, and what time he got home this morning yada yada yada....(yes we heard every bit of the convo). Anyhoo, after it was all said and done....he walked out of Subway...still on the phone.