Pet Peeve #1
It is bad enough when my kids talk to me when I am on the phone, but complete adult strangers? I am standing on the sidewalk today, clearly engaged, when a woman walks right up to me and just stands there. As soon as I acknowledged her presence (thirty seconds later), she started to ask me a question. I do not know what she wanted — directions, the time, a light, money, etc. — but whatever it was it did not appear to be an emergency. I politely mouthed that I was on the phone [pointing at the device for effect] and continued with my conversation. As she walked off in a huff I could see her muttering curses at me.
Had I not been on the phone — say that my friend had been right there — my response would have probably been different. However, I consider the rules for phones to also be different (though you should still be polite when breaking into any conversation). For starters, the person interrupting has no idea of the level of importance of the phone conversation. How do you know if what you want is more important? I could be talking someone off of a ledge or something (not likely, but still it’s the principle of the matter). Also, the person on the other end of the phone line cannot see the interruption coming. The resulting confusion often means that information has to be repeated (a waste of people’s time and money).
It is not that I think that interruptions are not sometimes necessary, or that all phone conversations are of the utmost importance, but the bottom line is that it is often rude and selfish to interrupt a phone conversation. This also happens to me at work (a lot) and it is not as if I am not around all day. Come back later, puhlease!
Do you agree or disagree with my rant? Also, what sorts of phone faux pas are annoying to you — perhaps people who talk on cell phones in public places?
Scott, you said, “I consider the rules for phones to also be different (though you should still be polite when breaking into any conversation).” So true! There is a definite difference there.
The only other faux pas that comes to mind is one you’ve already touched on in an earlier post, that’s people constantly wearing their headsets even when they’re not on the phone.
Scott…I was lurking on your blog and felt compelled to respond!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly!!! My other phone pet peeve is when people talk on the phone in the bathroom stall of a public restroom. First…I do not want to hear the conversation…sometimes I escape to the bathroom for a moment of peace (especially at work)…and I do not want the person on the phone (albeit a complete stranger) listening to me pee…
While I agree that being interrupted by someone (especially a complete stranger) when I am on the phone is annoying, I hold this to be my phone pet peeve (it doesn’t always hold to just cell phones):
When I am visiting with someone and the phone rings, my friend has to answer it and spend whatever amount of time on that call. Can’t the person say, “I have company, let me call you back?” Or can my friend say to me, “Excuse me, I need to take this call.” It baffles me.
i may agree… but it’s still a rant
1. People with those blue tooth things on while they’re not at work. I understand people who use them for work purposes, but outside of that, are you really that indisposable?
2. People who are talking loud in a phone conversation just so surrounding people can hear what they’re saying, as if we freakin care!
3. When it’s just you and another friend and that friend gets on the phone and has 10 minute conversations… “Hey, what are you doing?” “Nothing, just hanging out.” Can’t it wait til later????
This is just for you Scott, I thought about it earlier:
Fusstrated
Ben: My BT headset is uncomfortable, but I have found myself wearing it in the car and not taking it off after finishing a call. I am remiss … vanity, vanity, all is vanity.
Amy: Yeah, while it was rude for the lady to interrupt me, it’d be equally rude for me if I had carried on the conversation in such a way as to inflict it upon everyone else. Thankfully, most men don’t talk on the phone in the bathroom … there’s actually a code of silence that we must follow.
mrscrumley: There’s a guy here at the Other Very Large Insurance Company who does that all the time. And even when he’s not in his cube, he keeps the ringer loud enough so that he can hear it an run and catch a call. It’s as if the people calling — no matter who they are or what they want — are given a higher priority than the person who currently has his attention face to face (no matter who they are or how important the conversation).
stelmodad: A rant yes, but appropriate vs. not? Hmm … I don’t want a lot of negative vibes here, like I’m complaining all the time, but rudeness is rooted in morality. I also think the discussion is similar to what’d take place face to face. Does that make it a righteous rant? Agree, disagree?