And Another Thing...the cell phone, smart phone..whatever it's called...

I hate to blame the age of electronics for our lack of manners, but I think it's partially to blame. Not entirely, but I think it's got a little something to do with it.
It's so anonymous, so distant and yet, so personal. So many people have lost communication skills over the last few years. Perhaps they never learned them in the first place. Texting, before the invention of smart phones, was akin to short-hand or hieroglyphics, a chore for me, and one I didn't perform until I finally got a smartphone  Emotions and moods are indicated by emoticons..and those two words, by the way, texting and emoticon eluded my I.E. Spell Checker as to their validity so I had to add them to the data base..spell check, it seems is as far behind the times as I.
So, keeping in line with my general theme of things, that being lack of manners and lack of understanding how things work, and why, in the service industry I think it's important to connect the general lack of manners to this age of electronics.
Everywhere I look someone is on their phone. Seriously, stand in one spot and look around you. People walking, standing, sitting, eating, driving, at the store, at the gas station..look around and take note at how many people are either on their smartphone, or something similar. It really is amazing.
I see it all the time and when I do I want to say something, but don't. Until now, in the safety of the Internet, the anonymous, distant and yet so personal Internet, I'll say my piece.
It is unbelievably rude to approach someone with whom you are about to do business while you are on your phone. PERIOD!
Have you ever been to the store when the two employees behind the counter are having a conversation while one of them is taking your money, but neither of them looks at you, greets you with so much as a hello, nor thanks you as your change or receipt is handed over the counter? How anonymous did that make you feel? I bet you were pissed and swore under your breath that you'd never go to that store again, that you really should call and complain. But you didn't because, well.. because you didn't.
About a year ago I went to a local store that I don't usually shop at because it's expensive, but on occasion it's the only choice. So, I went to that store and the young woman at the register never looked at me, she never greeted me, never made eye contact, not once. Her back was  turned to me as she handed me the receipt.  She was talking to her fellow cashier who was working in the lane behind her. She actually handed me my receipt while her back was turned to me! I grabbed the receipt and stomped off. I was really pissed, and almost called to complain, but didn't because as rude as she was, I wouldn't want her to lose her job. I guess that makes me part of the problem.


Here are a few scenarios that may seem familiar to you.

Your'e  at the store, walking through the isles, phone planted to your ear. OK, kind of rude, but not too bad.  I don't want to hear your conversation, but perhaps that's just me.  Where it goes from kind of rude to plain old rude is when you continue the conversation while you are at the check-out. Just as I expect the cashier to cease and desist any conversations she is having with her co-workers while I I'm paying for my purchases, I also expect you, the customer to tell whomever it is on the other end of your conversation that you'll call them back. You don't even have to talk to the cashier, but  manners dictate that you get off your phone.

Here's where the education comes in.
You are rude, get off your phone.

You're at the bar or restaurant, your server or bartender approaches you. Get off your phone. Don't mouth the words or point to what you want to order. For god's sake, even a monkey can point! Your server or bartender is going to have to ask you at least one question and shouldn't  have to stand and wait while you carry on a conversation on your phone to get the answer.

Here's where the education comes in.
Your server has other customers, other things she can be doing, you are not her only customer. You, nor your phone conversation is so important that you cannot afford your server the two or three minutes it takes to place your order.


You're at the bank, in line in the lobby and you feel the need to be on your phone, sharing your conversation with all who are within earshot. It's finally your turn, it seems like it took for ever.
You get up to the teller window, toss down your check and without skipping a beat you continue with your conversation. The teller looks at you, waiting for you to end the conversation so she can ask what you would like to do. Finally, realizing you're  not going to get off your phone, she asks, 'what can I do for you today?'
You mouth the words, deposit. ..can you see where this is heading?  The fact that you're to lazy or too entitled to fill out your own deposit slip is a whole other topic, but for now we'll leave it alone.
So, here is where the education comes in.
You are at the bank to do business, financial business. There is no conversation that you can hold that is so important that it cannot wait until you are done with your financial business.Get off your phone. If the conversation is that important, get out of the line and finish your conversation elsewhere.