Talking on the phone whilst at tills

[EgyptianSnow]

Is this rude? Lady at a store refused to serve me until I got off the phone
I was only buying slippers
I wasn't talking loud or even talking at the counter and my phone rang whilst I was in line
Was I rude? Is this rude?

usualsuspect not a valid argument based on what I said above, sorry

Yes, it is rude. There is a retail/customer service element to my job and thankfully we have the full support of management to just walk away from customers who take phone calls when we are in the middle of serving them. The phone calls suddenly become less important when you start to walk away and they hang up pretty quickly.

"DisgustingNameChange"
No Dontlaugh, as the nurse and the dentist are the ones providing a service, so their customer/patient should have their attention.
Retail staff are also providing a service, although obviously one much less deserving of respect in your opinion, as based on your reply.
You are correct entirely in pointing out that my opinion that speaking to a third party whilst conducting a transaction with a first party is rude. It is still completely true that to ignore the person in front of oneself to engage with a physically absent third party is nothing short of ignorant.
I cannot imagine a scenario, in any setting, where this would be acceptable. I will of course, welcome your abbuttals.

Cashiers aren't allowed their phones on them where I work due to security.... So easy to film a PIN number going in.

Phones are a nuisance. Like someone upthread said, people cause chaos by stopping dead to text/Google/take a pic. No regard for those around them

Look at the amount of people on this thread moaning at being asked to put the thing away.

All this "not as important" nonsense is a red herring for a weak argument

"It's like they expect you to entertain the children"

There were days when the bag packing person offered help and I felt like saying "I'll pack my own bags but can you please distract my children for 5 minutes?"

I think if I had a call so important I couldn't stop it I'd apologise to the cashier and say "sorry I'm just directing my parents round the one way system" or whatever it is. But truthfully that isn't most phone calls.

I've refused to serve people in my cafe while they are talking on their phones.

I just say ' I will just serve the next person until you have finished your call'

'But those check out operators , they only work in a shop. Not important enough for your full attention'

But usual suspect, aren't you loading that with extra interpretation that isn't intended?

I don't ignore them though Dontlaugh. As stated earlier, I'm perfectly capable of interacting/smiling wwhilst on the phone.

ego how about you teach your kids to behave? That's a novelty eh?

Cashiers are not Drs and nurses. I have worked in retail as it happens as well as waitressing and I guess I just did my job and only chatted to people if they chatted to me first. Didn't act all diva like if people gave their attention to someone other than me.

Sorry op and anyone else I may have upset, I thought you said she was ignoring you.
But to flip the coin on the other side. If she was on the phone you would call it rude so yes i guess you were s bit rude. Manners cut both ways,

usualsuspect, I'm afraid I would leave your cafe, never return and tell everyone I know how rude the staff were.

I used to work in retail and I hated this. Where I worked we had a checklist to follow which involved asking the customer certain questions, we used to get observed to make sure we were doing it. A customer yapping away on the phone meant I was unable to do my job properly.

The ones who acknowledged me and answered the questions I asked whilst talking on the phone were better I suppose but 9 times out of 10 I would be completely ignored. I remember one occasion where I had to ask a lady 5 times if she wanted a bag before she answered me with an almighty attitude.

People forget that checkout assistants are people too with actual feelings and a job description/store policy to adhere to. I always ensure I'm polite to shop workers, one unpleasant customer could potentially ruin their day. there's no excuse for rudeness.

iliveinalighthouse what made you think my fuck off was aimed at OP? -it wasn't ained at anyone And what rude woman? I was agreeing with OP but you think I might be the cashier in this story? Your post is confusing.

Totally out of order. Happened yesterday (in Waitrose no less), and we all had to wait whilst the man being served finished his conversation before getting out his card and then paying, seemingly complaining that he would have to go around the shop again as the person had been on the phone to had asked him to pick up something else.
I had a conversation afterwards with the lady at the till who said that, yes, it upsets her, and there are also people who don't look at her, don't say anything and act like she isn't there.
Next time, I might take drastic action - perhaps shove their shopping behind everyone else's and clutch my huge boobs above my folded arms whilst tutting for all to hear.
Can't believe we are breeding a world of such entitled, self-obsessed, anti-social tossers.

That's ok , disgusting. I wouldn't want someone like you in my cafe anyway.

I have plenty of polite customers.

Basic courtesy and manners should guide all interactions, no matter how fraught or contentious.
Other outcomes tell me much about the person. Even on this thread.
Nite all!

imwithspud, I would never ignore a checkout operator. I think some people are confusing people who are on their phones with people who are just plain rude.

And I am self-employed. The world does not end if I do not pick up the phone whilst I am expected to interact with someone else.

If two people went to the till at the same time and were chatting to one another, but interjected it with hello, thanks very much, lovely, yes, you too sort of comments, would that be considered rude?

I doubt it so I don't see why a phone is considered rude either sorry.

I hate rudeness, I really do, and stonily ignoring a shop assistant is rude, but not if you're combining a chat with buying something!

I'm always polite, thanks.