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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that I am worthy of acknowledgement or even polite conversation whilst doing my job.

101 replies

PrettyVacant1 · 18/07/2010 13:41

I work in the wonderful world of retail and yesterday a woman came into my store speaking on her mobile phone.

Usually I'd say hello but as she was having a conversation I just made eye contact and smiled.
She completely ignored me and went to pick up her purchase.

She then went to the till continuing her conversation.
As she was on the phone I hesitated to go and serve her.
She then waved the purchase at me and motioned that she wanted to pay.

I walked over, smiled, apologised and said that I'd wait until she'd finished her call as I felt rude speaking to her whilst she was on the phone.
She stared at me blankly and said it was alright, she was going to continue talking.

I couldn't help but overhear and she wasn't exactly giving instruction on how to safely drill a hole in someones skull.
More like "My god!"
"Really!"
"So what are you going to wear next time?"

So I just spoke over her to interact like my company asks.

I gave her her a free sample and as I was explaining what it was she paused, glared at me again and said to the person on the other end that she was sorry and she will be able to talk properly in a minute!

I wasn't pushy or rude I just think that if the call was so important she should've finished it before wanting me to serve her.

AIBU to think that it's the hight of bad manners to not even give someone the courtesy of holding a call for one minute whilst they provide a service and do their job.

Rant over.
As you were.

OP posts:

5inthebed · 18/07/2010 13:47

YANBU

The woman on the phone was being the height of rudeness.

AnnieLobeseder · 18/07/2010 13:48

YANBU, that's so rude and if I'm on the phone while in a shop queue, I will always either end my conversation or ask who I'm talking to to hang on while I pay.

But in retail you're bound to encounter humanity in all its less-than glorious forms!

usualsuspect · 18/07/2010 13:49

Its very annoying ..especially the hand waving when they want to pay ...

Meglet · 18/07/2010 13:50

YANBU.

Until recently I worked in a shop and customers on their phones made my blood boil. Just thinking about it annoys me . Some customers are up their own backsides.

I am always nice to shop assistants and would never dream of chatting on my phone when at the till.

venusonarockbun · 18/07/2010 13:50

YANBU. I absolutely refuse to serve anyone whilst they are carrying out a mobile conversation. I too tell then I will wait until they are finished. You need their full attention so that they can check any change you are giving them etc.

BitOfFun · 18/07/2010 13:56

I sometimes see signs at counters asking customers to refrain from using their mobiles at the counter. I can totally see why.

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 18/07/2010 13:58

YANBU I work in a shop as well and this really annoys me.
In fact there is a paper shop that DH goes to often when he finishes work and they will not serve you on a mobile phone and have signs up saying this.

KickButtowski · 18/07/2010 14:00

Last week I answered a call just as I got to the front of a very long PO queue. It was a really important call (honest) so I had to take it while the lady dealt with me. I was listening to the call and mouthing sorry and thank you to the lady behind the counter who didn't bat an eyelid and silently served me.

Afterwards I stepped to the side and waited out of the way and when the call was finished i went back to the lady and apologised for being so rude and she was very gracious about it.

It is the height of bad manners, I hope I never have to do it again, and I think people serving customers who treat them this way and perfectly justified in being furious.

bellavita · 18/07/2010 14:00

I feel your pain.

I work on a busy school reception. I have had numerous parents come in and carry on their conversation on their mobile whilst I am trying to answer my own phone instead of finishing off their conversation outside and I have parents that come in and halfway through our conversation their phone will ring, but they will just carry on letting it ring. I ask them to turn it off.

Sidge · 18/07/2010 14:02

I have had someone answer their mobile whilst I was doing her smear.

Now that is really off-putting!

Muser · 18/07/2010 14:05

YANBU. I never speak on my phone while being served, it's so rude. I will always ask the person I'm speaking to if they can hold on while I pay and leave the shop.

Ladyanonymous · 18/07/2010 14:05

Sidge .

It is so rude and dismissive to do that OP. YANBU.

I also hate when you are being served while the retailer talks to a colleague - also very rude.

Meglet · 18/07/2010 14:06

Can I start a moan about parents on their mobiles during song time at toddler group.

I know the wheels on the bus / twinkle twinkle gets fecking dull after several months of it, but please for 10 mins stop fiddling with your phone . And I speak as someone who won't even go to the loo without her blackberry.

Original poster

PrettyVacant1 · 18/07/2010 14:10

I'm the same, I won't even get on a bus or show my ticket whilst on my phone.

Usually me saying in a very apologetic manner that I feel so rude and wouldn't dream of talking over somebody works but she was a caaaaaa and obviously thought I wasn't worth talking to, you know being a lowly Sales Manager and all.

OP posts:

AlaskaNebraska · 18/07/2010 14:11

i dont think i care
i think its not relevant if you want to be spoken to
customer is king

5DollarShake · 18/07/2010 14:14

Customer is a twat as often as not...

Original poster

PrettyVacant1 · 18/07/2010 14:18

Sidge

KB I'll let you off you have manners and are nice and polite.
I wouldn't have minded if she did mouth anything as rude as she was from the second she walked in.

Lady I agree, it takes me two mins to beat drill that into new starters.
Totally unacceptable imo.

OP posts:

AlaskaNebraska · 18/07/2010 14:19

no you really need to just get over it
why does anyoen WANT to chat to you

mummytime · 18/07/2010 14:19

My moan, a child got a mobile call during class, from her Dad! I was

purepurple · 18/07/2010 14:19

YANBU
I work in a nursery and have had parents drop off and collect their child whilst talking on the phone.
It is very rude.

Original poster

PrettyVacant1 · 18/07/2010 14:22

@ 5DS

Maybe I should've just stood there being ignored feeling small and just accepted I was not worthy of acknowledgement Alaska?

OP posts:

usualsuspect · 18/07/2010 14:24

You should have given her the wrong change ..bet she would have spoken to you then

Original poster

PrettyVacant1 · 18/07/2010 14:25

Er, am I missing something?
Have I deeply offended you in a previous life Alaska?

If you don't care, don't post!
Simples!

OP posts:

5DollarShake · 18/07/2010 14:27

I am at anyone who goes into a shop and thinks they are KING.

Imagine how little they must have going on their life to get their power trip out of ignoring a shop assistant.

sanielle · 18/07/2010 14:34

Alaska was blatantly the cow on her mobile.. Not worth worrying about!

Exactly 5 dollar shake!

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