Mobile Phone Etiquette . . .

[Perpetua]

As someone who can barely use my touch screen mobile, I am astounded at the dexterity some folks have with them. Has it all gone too far though. ???

Whatever happened to good manners and basic courtesy . . . . or is that now a bygone thing.


www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23158579

[Kaaru]

I wasn`t there so don`t know exactly what happened - BUT, if I was at a checkout, I would be trying to get my bags packed as quickly as possible so not to hold up the people behind me, and even if it was just me I still wouldn`t be dawdling about.

IF she was just casually chatting away while letting everyone else do everything for her, then I think the cashier had a point - it was a bit rude, common courtesy and all that....

But, if she was talking and packing her things simultaneously then I can also see her point - It may have been her child organising to get picked up or something "important" - I guess we`ll never know the ins & outs.

[vereybowring]

I like my tech, I use it all the time - I do however still follow some social niceties.

Alas people now think its fine for them to wander about being ignorant and I see examples all the time with people in a queue.
In a coffee outlet lets say, an ignoramus gets irate with staff that they have to take a few seconds away from their call or phone fondling to actually do what they came in to do, buy a coffee. Some do even mutter about being interrupted and it takes quite a bit of self control not to grab their object of obsession and stamp on it.

[kailey]

I can see the two sides to this. I do agree that it is rude but I guess life is getting more hectic and people expect to contact each other 24/7 more or less with mobile phones so popular. I also understand how the shop assistant wishes to have the customer concentrate on what she is doing. It wouldn't be a good thing to have a line of customers behind her because she is slow in packing up her stuff or not concentrating on the payment.

Me? I really hate phones both at home and when I am out and not only mine either. I stopped meeting up with a friend during the day because he spent so much time on his phone. I thought if he wants to talk on his phone then he can do it alone.

[Perpetua]

For sure I can see the uses a mobile has in our everyday lives . . . it's just the extreme extent of it with some that I can't get my head around.

A GP contacted Breakfast this morning on the piece they were doing, she's even had patients during an appointment texting!


What does really, really wind me up . . . is the number of drivers I still see using a mobile phone whilst driving, despite it being against the law.

[gjdart]

There's a time and place for everything... Checkout and phone.....Noooooo!

[Jen]

I have to take work calls when I'm out sometimes, I really can't ignore them. OTOH, I really try very hard not to be talking on my phone whilst doing something else involving people, I do think it's a little rude. But sometimes unavoidable.

[Perpetua]

Jul 4, 2013 7:56:30 GMT gjdart said:

There's a time and place for everything... Checkout and phone.....Noooooo!

It's happened to me on numerous occasions serving customers GJ . . . I've found it incredibly rude I must admit, especially as the conversations have been just everyday trivia that could be conducted at a later time.


Though I've never quite plucked up the courage to ask them to stop. I have a sneaking admiration for the checkout lady who did.

[vereybowring]

Jul 4, 2013 8:00:53 GMT Jen said:

I have to take work calls when I'm out sometimes, I really can't ignore them. OTOH, I really try very hard not to be talking on my phone whilst doing something else involving people, I do think it's a little rude. But sometimes unavoidable.

Yeah but I would surmise you probably make apologies about it. I've had people just automatically answer the phone and start gabbing without even saying anything to me - they then get upset when I just walk away. I walk off for two reasons, I think they are ignoring me so fair dos, and I don't want to be rude by listening in to someone else's call. They just don't seem to understand how it appears to the other people and as Perpetua says lack basic courtesies.

[Jen]

Jul 4, 2013 8:07:03 GMT vereybowring said:

Jul 4, 2013 8:00:53 GMT Jen said:

I have to take work calls when I'm out sometimes, I really can't ignore them. OTOH, I really try very hard not to be talking on my phone whilst doing something else involving people, I do think it's a little rude. But sometimes unavoidable.

Yeah but I would surmise you probably make apologies about it. I've had people just automatically answer the phone and start gabbing without even saying anything to me - they then get upset when I just walk away. I walk off for two reasons, I think they are ignoring me so fair dos, and I don't want to be rude by listening in to someone else's call. They just don't seem to understand how it appears to the other people and as Perpetua says lack basic courtesies.

Well, on the few occasions it's happened whilst I'm already at the checkout or doing something person-facing, I do say 'excuse me' before answering and still keep eye contact with the person so I'm not holding anyone up. Multi-tasking!

I agree with Perps, thought, drivers with phones deserve some horrible punishment, it angers me every time I see it - it's so ridiculously dangerous and easily solved by just pulling over! 

[bel]

This is a real bug bear for me, as im a shop assistant i get this all the time.

Its so rude, they come up to the till still talking on their phone, without a thank you and just walk off

I have now decided that the next person that does it to me, will get the same treatment, i will totally ignore them and move on to the next customer so keep your eyes peeled cus i could be on the news next

[vereybowring]

It isn't just the public either, I've seen police officers gabbing away while behind the wheel. Not as common by any means but yes it is a killer.
I remember channel 4 running some programs about road safety some years back, one show featured a german business man and they were trying to berate him for driving to and from work every day at 175 MPH as it wasn't very safe. His reply was when he is in the car he turns his phone off and had the radio removed - when he's driving, he's driving nothing else. Passengers have to follow his rules when in his car too, possibly the least distracted person I have ever seen.

[fred]

Jul 4, 2013 8:11:06 GMT Jen said:

........

I agree with Perps, thought, drivers with phones deserve some horrible punishment, it angers me every time I see it - it's so ridiculously dangerous and easily solved by just pulling over! 

Which, at times can itself be dangerous.
It can be easily and cheaply and properly and legally (and safely?) solved by using a bluetooth earpiece.

Personally, I think the same line should be taken with mobile phones, as is taken with uninsured vehicles - they should be taken away and crushed.

In fact, should all mobile phones not be crushed? - bring back the carrier pigeon.

[shamreez]

I do get a lot of calls due to my work nature when I am out.
But I do ensure that I do not disturb anyone around me which I assume should be basic common courtesy.

I have got calls when I am on line for Tesco. I just move out of line letting the person behind me go ahead and take the call.
If the person at the till has already started serving me I just let the call go to voice mail and call them back after the purchase (which is usually 3 - 4 minute)

So I personally agree with the person at the till in the story. I just hope that she does not lose her job for doing the right thing.
Some people do not have a clue about phone etiquettes

[greendollar]

Although I do own an old mobile phone I rarely carry it around with me , my 11yr old daughter has one of these 'smart' phones though & I've got an android tablet (whatever that is ) for my 10yr old daughter ....they mainly use them to play games and watch youtube video's . What adults are doing with them I wouldn't have a clue .