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Title: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: dystopia on November 15, 2007, 11:32:40 AM [sm_thumbsup2]
I almost got in a fight with a guy on his cellphone in a Quizno's line a few months ago. This guy was at the front of the line reading out the menu to his wife on the phone for her to make her decision. The line kept growing and growing and tempers were flaring. >:( Please hold: Businesses want to hear your order, not your call http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/339152_nocellphones10.html Quote Despite the prevalent attitude that cell phones can be used any time, any place -- public bathrooms included -- there's a competing ethos at play: Put. It. Down. Businesses and organizations are increasingly posting signs asking people to stop using them during transactions -- at order counters, and in banks, doctor's offices, coffee shops and other places where crowds gather. A few years ago, Zatz A Better Bagel in West Seattle posted this sign at its counter after Bluetooth headsets became popular: "Please be courteous to our staff and fellow customers. No cell phones." "When there's 15 people in line and you're on the phone talking with someone and we're asking whether you want a bagel toasted or with cream cheese, it can add five minutes on for the other customers," employee Tuesday Velasco said. Those who ignore the sign are told, "We'll be right with you as soon as you're ready," manager Jason Kinch said. And, that -- skipping to the next person in line until the cell phone user puts down his or her phone -- is becoming a common approach, even at businesses without posted signs. Much of the trend is driven by customer complaints about loud cell-phone blatherers, along with wait times in line growing while phoners try to multitask. Counter staffers and others have gotten used to hearing, "Oh, hold on a minute. I have to take this call." (more...) Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 15, 2007, 11:35:26 AM LOL! You should have kicked his ass Walfredo style!
Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: dystopia on November 15, 2007, 11:43:21 AM LOL! You should have kicked his ass Walfredo style! I was sooo hungry that day (the low blood sugar probably didn't help the surliness). I decided that if I fought him, it might be quite a while before I got any food into my system, and it would be tacky to ask him to wait until I finish my sandwich before I kick his ass. I need to start carrying around asskicking rainchecks to hand out. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Walfredo on November 15, 2007, 11:49:28 AM LOL! You should have kicked his ass Walfredo style! I was sooo hungry that day (the low blood sugar probably didn't help the surliness). I decided that if I fought him, it might be quite a while before I got any food into my system, and it would be tacky to ask him to wait until I finish my sandwich before I kick his ass. I need to start carrying around asskicking rainchecks to hand out. LOL Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Uisce Beatha on November 15, 2007, 11:52:00 AM All this is *goshdarn* with my head.
Aske's a rock 'em sock 'em robot online and Mr. Rogers in person. Dys is mild mannered on the boards and O.J. Simpson in real life. I'm so confused. ??? Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Aske on November 15, 2007, 11:55:50 AM All this is *goshdarn* with my head. Aske's Mr. Rogers in person. :sad3: Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Uisce Beatha on November 15, 2007, 11:57:13 AM All this is *goshdarn* with my head. Aske's Mr. Rogers in person. :sad3: Well, sans cardigan. :) I meant it in the nicest possible way. [sm_buddies] Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: spacey on November 15, 2007, 12:05:07 PM All this is *goshdarn* with my head. Aske's Mr. Rogers in person. :sad3: Well, sans cardigan. :) I meant it in the nicest possible way. [sm_buddies] Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: twoiron on November 15, 2007, 12:18:49 PM LOL! You should have kicked his ass Walfredo style! I was sooo hungry that day (the low blood sugar probably didn't help the surliness). I decided that if I fought him, it might be quite a while before I got any food into my system, and it would be tacky to ask him to wait until I finish my sandwich before I kick his ass. I need to start carrying around asskicking rainchecks to hand out. I'd really like to see you do that "Sir/Madam, it's come to my attention that you are requiring an asskicking for (insert reason). It's my intention to kick your ass in to the middle of next week, however due to time contstraints I'll need to take a raincheck. I will contact you later to arrange a time that is convenient for me to kick your ass. Have a nice day" Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 15, 2007, 12:55:40 PM dys., carry a can of this along with the rainchecks.
(http://www.beveragesdirect.com/images/productpix/large/2400489.jpg) Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Blader on November 15, 2007, 01:37:07 PM not safe for christians or jews
Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Torpedo on November 15, 2007, 02:08:00 PM Aske's a rock 'em sock 'em robot online and Mr. Rogers in person. He asked you to be his neighbor? ;) Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: MFAWG on November 15, 2007, 02:08:52 PM Ugg, I used to HATE that *feces*.
'So, we'll get those tires and alignment going, if I can get you to sign right here and have your keys, and if I could show you...' RING!!! 'Hello? Hey, girlfriend, wazzup, me and blah, blah,blah,blah' while 3 other people are waiting for various levels of assistance isn't frackin' cuttin' it. I used to walk away if they didn't put them on hold or something. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: tdcoly on November 15, 2007, 04:03:30 PM Aske's a rock 'em sock 'em robot online and Mr. Rogers in person. He asked you to be his neighbor? ;) Both 'burghers. [sm_shock] Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Spartan on November 15, 2007, 08:30:28 PM Quote Those who ignore the sign are told, "We'll be right with you as soon as you're ready," manager Jason Kinch said. And, that -- skipping to the next person in line until the cell phone user puts down his or her phone -- is becoming a common approach, even at businesses without posted signs. That's fine. I just hope these same businesses don't answer the phone when a customer is standing in line. Why is the guy on the phone more important than a live customer in a store? This bugs me more than cell phones. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Aske on November 15, 2007, 08:38:55 PM Spartan's post reminds me of a BIG BIG BIG rant I have about the Pittsburgh Post Offices.
Why do I have to stand in line 30-45 minutes behind 20 morons who dont have their packages/forms ready going in(and dont bother to even work on them IN line.... ), when I am just there to PICK UP a package/letter? My service has already BEEN PAID FOR! In Texas most PO's have dedicated package pickup only line. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Uisce Beatha on November 15, 2007, 08:42:36 PM Captive audiences.
Spartan: Guy in line isn't likely to walk out the door over a two minute delay. Guy on phone will hang up. Aske: Monopoly. What else you gonna do? Agree with both you guys 100%. Big time annoying. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Fuzzy on November 15, 2007, 08:55:24 PM Spartan's post reminds me of a BIG BIG BIG rant I have about the Pittsburgh Post Offices. Why do I have to stand in line 30-45 minutes behind 20 morons who dont have their packages/forms ready going in(and dont bother to even work on them IN line.... ), when I am just there to PICK UP a package/letter? My service has already BEEN PAID FOR! In Texas most PO's have dedicated package pickup only line. Similar but different. I haven't been frequenting "fast food" joints like I did in my youth but I have a couple rants: #1. Lunchtime. You've been standing in line for >1 minute. The menu didn't change from the last time you were here. When the dude/dudess behind the counter says 'may I help you' DO NOT lean back and say hmmmm...umm...I don't know........mmmm......ahhhh..........etc etc etc.......have your F'ing order READY! #2. You're in the same line with your young children. They're cute. They can speak. When the same dude/dudess says, 'may I help you' you turn to your little angels and say 'honey, what would you like?' It's precious. And the rest of us in line behind you appreciate the next 5 minutes it takes to coax the order out of the aforementioned angels. As far as #2 goes, I will NOT enter a line to order something for my kids until they have decided exactly what they want. Yes it's late. Well past 5:00SST. Thank you for listening to my rant but I blame Aske for lighting the fuse. ;) Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Aske on November 15, 2007, 08:56:14 PM [sm_devil]
Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: MFAWG on November 15, 2007, 11:20:42 PM Quote Those who ignore the sign are told, "We'll be right with you as soon as you're ready," manager Jason Kinch said. And, that -- skipping to the next person in line until the cell phone user puts down his or her phone -- is becoming a common approach, even at businesses without posted signs. That's fine. I just hope these same businesses don't answer the phone when a customer is standing in line. Why is the guy on the phone more important than a live customer in a store? This bugs me more than cell phones. I actually have a reasonable explanation for this, but you're still not going to like it: When I have somebody in the store, the odds are that they've decided to buy, while the person on the phone is still thinking about it. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and it's going to be on the phone 90 pct of the times in certain kinds of retail... Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Uisce Beatha on November 16, 2007, 04:21:56 AM Quote Those who ignore the sign are told, "We'll be right with you as soon as you're ready," manager Jason Kinch said. And, that -- skipping to the next person in line until the cell phone user puts down his or her phone -- is becoming a common approach, even at businesses without posted signs. That's fine. I just hope these same businesses don't answer the phone when a customer is standing in line. Why is the guy on the phone more important than a live customer in a store? This bugs me more than cell phones. I actually have a reasonable explanation for this, but you're still not going to like it: When I have somebody in the store, the odds are that they've decided to buy, while the person on the phone is still thinking about it. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and it's going to be on the phone 90 pct of the times in certain kinds of retail... That's what I was saying in a slightly different way. I understand it. Still don't like it though. [sm_devil] Ironically enough, and hopefully this gives no offense, my minds-eye image for this sort of practice is a tire shop. Nowhere does it seem to happen more. ;) Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 16, 2007, 05:19:07 AM Well said Fuzz.
Good points all. The P.O. thing pisses me off as well. Before you step in any line, have your *feces*/wants ready to go. I do credit the MN DMV for this, if they see you in line for something without a form, they'll kick you out. Period. Nazi style. As for MFAWG, I do know the frustration of standing in line waiting to talk to/do business with the dude, only to be interrupted by some lazy *fudge* at home in his boxers, and is given immediate priority over me. Having said that, I am most likely to visit that place once, or depending on the type of business maybe a handful of times. The person "behind the counter" cannot discriminate; to say, a customer is a customer, and they need all of them. If he blows off "phone guy" in favor of me, he has lost that customer. He needs to answer that dudes call and wants to help every single body at the same time.......If I lose "tire place" I haven't really lost anything. If tire place loses enough of me, they lose a lot. I didn't say what I'm thinking all well, but you've come to expect it. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Uisce Beatha on November 16, 2007, 05:26:59 AM How many of us are willing to just walk out when someone drops us for a phone call? I'd love to say I've done it but I don't think I have.
I've walked out of a restaurant after waiting ages for service. Not quite the same but, yes, exactly the same. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 16, 2007, 05:35:59 AM How many of us are willing to just walk out when someone drops us for a phone call? I'd love to say I've done it but I don't think I have. I've walked out of a restaurant after waiting ages for service. Not quite the same but, yes, exactly the same. Restaurant: For sure. Do it all the time. Not always a negative reaction, per se, but a statement that at that particular time, they are not equipped to deliver the service I am expecting. Other businesses: Depends on what I have invested(and would have to take into account the service person's attitude, demeanor, and attempt if any to justify taking the call over me). I certainly would consider it. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Spanky on November 16, 2007, 06:08:53 AM How many of us are willing to just walk out when someone drops us for a phone call? I'd love to say I've done it but I don't think I have. I've walked out of a restaurant after waiting ages for service. Not quite the same but, yes, exactly the same. Restaurant: For sure. Do it all the time. Not always a negative reaction, per se, but a statement that at that particular time, they are not equipped to deliver the service I am expecting. Other businesses: Depends on what I have invested(and would have to take into account the service person's attitude, demeanor, and attempt if any to justify taking the call over me). I certainly would consider it. The comment about the kids is so true. We drag our in and we always stand in the back waiting till we get an answer. Most of the time they know what they want before we go in but on those rare occasions we always let people go before us. I get so frustrated at my boys if we are at a sit down eatery and I have to drag out of them what they want while the waiter is standing there trying to take our order (if it's a waitress I don't mind so much because they are usually cute ;D) Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Spartan on November 16, 2007, 06:39:11 AM Quote Those who ignore the sign are told, "We'll be right with you as soon as you're ready," manager Jason Kinch said. And, that -- skipping to the next person in line until the cell phone user puts down his or her phone -- is becoming a common approach, even at businesses without posted signs. That's fine. I just hope these same businesses don't answer the phone when a customer is standing in line. Why is the guy on the phone more important than a live customer in a store? This bugs me more than cell phones. I actually have a reasonable explanation for this, but you're still not going to like it: When I have somebody in the store, the odds are that they've decided to buy, while the person on the phone is still thinking about it. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and it's going to be on the phone 90 pct of the times in certain kinds of retail... Yeah, I understand their logic. My logic is, I AM a customer. The guy on the phone may never be. I may never be again if I'm treated rudely. I have walked out of a store that did this to me. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 16, 2007, 06:44:28 AM It completely depends on the type of business, and level of transaction.
If the guy on the phones says "Yeah, you got one of those Onkyo HXr 500 series in stock? I gotta have me one one of those *fudge*ers. Today!" And he looks at you standing in line holding a Tears for Fears CD.........You're *fudge*ed. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Uisce Beatha on November 16, 2007, 07:20:54 AM It completely depends on the type of business, and level of transaction. If the guy on the phones says "Yeah, you got one of those Onkyo HXr 500 series in stock? I gotta have me one one of those *fudge*ers. Today!" And he looks at you standing in line holding a Tears for Fears CD.........You're *fudge*ed. I hate that. Makes me want to Shout. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Fuzzy on November 16, 2007, 07:29:55 AM Yeah, well, Everybody wants to rule the world. Get back in line.
Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Clive on November 16, 2007, 03:43:35 PM Or at least provide you a Big Chair to sit in while you wait.
I've left restaurants for slow service, more than once. I've never walked out on a clerk who took a call while waiting on me. I have walked out of a store because the clerk kept taking calls, slowing the line down to the point that I waited a good while and never even reached the counter to start being served. But I have no problem with a place that politely excuses a cellphone user and takes the customer behind him/her. Dude, you dropped the store in favor of your call -- they're just following your cue. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Jules on November 16, 2007, 07:42:51 PM Good idea to sit in the Big Chair.....................otherwise you might Fall Head Over Heels. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: gleek on November 16, 2007, 08:00:09 PM All this is *goshdarn* with my head. Aske's Mr. Rogers in person. :sad3: Fred Rogers was a bad ass. a41lJIhW7fA He was also instrumental in the Supreme Court's ruling that the use of VCRs does not constitute copyright infringement. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 16, 2007, 08:14:01 PM Fred Rogers was a bad ass. Agreed. Without being a Green Beret` serving in Viet Nam and having tattoos covered by the red sweater. :D Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: gleek on November 16, 2007, 08:25:24 PM Fred Rogers was a bad ass. Agreed. Without being a Green Beret` serving in Viet Nam and having tattoos covered by the red sweater. :D I heard he was hung like a horse too. Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: Jules on November 16, 2007, 08:26:54 PM Well who told you that Gleek.
Title: Re: No cell phones, please, say businesses Post by: stroh on November 16, 2007, 08:27:21 PM Fred Rogers was a bad ass. Agreed. Without being a Green Beret` serving in Viet Nam and having tattoos covered by the red sweater. :D I heard he was hung like a horse too. [sm_rolling] LMAO |