Isn't it rude to carry on a conversation with someone on the phone in the presence of someone else

[friendlyfoxes]

Assuming it's not an emergency?

It depends.

My times clash with my Adult DDs and Sister, if I didn't take the call, I wouldn't get to speak to them.

Likewise I've got health stuff going on and the call has to be taken, when they dictate.

It depends. If you were already on the phone and someone else appears at your elbow and wants your attention, then gesture to them that you're on the phone and carry on. They can wait.

If it you're on the phone and (for example) guests you have invited arrive at the appointed time, then you need to get off the phone asap. If it's not an emergency.

Depends who was there first - the phone call or the person. If I'm already on the phone, unless it's an emergency you'll have to wait till I'm done.

We need context.

I would take the call only if it were one of my children.

If you're in a car with someone and they take a long phone call. It's awkward as you're just sat there listening to one end of the conversation !

I don't think calling someone is rude. I do think texting at the table is very rude & won't stand for it in my family.

Hmm. I'm on the fence. It might be the only time they can make/take that call. It would be ruder of them to boot you out of the car.

I think it sounds rude in your example. If it's just a social call they should call back later.

If it was something important and short I'd apologize and say I have to take it. Then I'd get off the phone as soon as possible.

Yes. Very rude.

If friends of mine do it I say to them "do you mind if I get a magazine out and start reading it". Which is a massive précis on something Larry David once did in curb your enthusiasm. And if it's good enough for LD, it's definitely good enough for me.

If you think that's rude i had a colleague who'd walk into the staff room (had their own private office) while 2 or 3 were sat eating lunch / chatting and face time their family!

I'll never forget the time I went to Amsterdam to visit a friend. In the car, at least 3 different times, she spoke Dutch for at least 30 minutes to god knows who. It wasn't an emergency. I was offended and thought it was beyond rude as I had flown to see her! Haven't been back, needless to say. It's been 8 years. Long distance friends now.

A friend of mine used to take/make phonecalls everytime I was in her company. No emergency, no only time I can speak with the person just a chat with her sister/boyfriend/mum who she was more than likely seeing a few hours later. It was rude. We're not really close anymore so don't need to put up with it.

Chit chat, aimlessly rambling on about trivia = rude, inconsiderate

Emergency, functional, need to discuss specific matter "call and done" = OK

One of my bugbears is people staying on their phone when paying at the till in a shop. It just seems so rude not giving the cashier the time of day.

One of my bugbears is people staying on their phone when paying at the till in a shop. It just seems so rude not giving the cashier the time of day.

Treating people who serve you as invisible, another symptom of encroaching incivility in modern life. It makes me terribly sad to see people do this.

It depends on the call and the company. If I'm out with friends in the daytime I take business calls that I need to answer, but they're short and necessary. Likewise I'll sometimes take calls from friends while in meetings (relaxed, round the kitchen table type) if it's important or necessary arrangements , but I keep calls brief and don't chat. I wouldn't so the long chat about nothing calls in anyone's presence - even dh & kids - it's rude and I might want to talk about them!

If they are on the phone and a person appears to talk to them, not rude.

If with a person and the call is taken and not ended promptly, rude.

Worse than all, that talking extra loud to include the person that doesn't have the phone into the "hilarious," conversation with the two people that do.

I don't understand the - if you're in the car you about hearing one side of the conversation. If you're in the car you should be on hands free and thus hear all of it! Misses point of thread!

Yes, it's rude.

I think it's rude.

My mum came to visit last week. Every evening she took/made a long phone call to her husband, while we were sat talking/watching tv in the living room. I was internally screaming at her to leave the room but didn't say anything. The trouble is she is so full of self importance that I'm sure she actually thought I would be interested in hearing one side of her conversation.

(It was a long 5 days, my tongue is sore from all the biting!)

Meh. My friend picks me up for an activity every week, it's more convenient for us both if she drives (I do pay petrol!). She takes a call during the drive sometimes; it can be the only time she can speak to some family people. I don't mind. She's done me a favour driving and I'm more than capable of entertaining myself on my phone/looking out the window/etc.

I think I'm quite easy going in general, though. I don't mind Uber drivers making calls either.

Rude and annoying unless urgent.

*Today 08:27 EggbertHeartsTina

One of my bugbears is people staying on their phone when paying at the till in a shop. It just seems so rude not giving the cashier the time of day.*

Spent 10 years in retail and this was my biggest hate. I learnt very quickly to pretend the phone wasn't there and carry on the transaction as normal. Enough would be said if we chatted amongst ourselves and ignored the customer (which I never have or would do).