Cell Hell

I have done what I said I would NEVER do. I have ditched my land line and am now in cell hell. Don't get me wrong, I really like the cell phone thing and being able to talk to people no matter where I am but I don't like the fact that when I am speaking the other person can't "cut in" with a quick word without interrupting the sound. Do you know what I mean? I hope so because I don't really know how to explain it.

Now for some of my pet peeves about cell phone usage and user behavior.

At work I sit at a desk behind a tall counter and people will often lean over the counter and talk on their cell phone directly in my face while they are waiting to finish a transaction or make an appointment, etc. My reaction is to get up and walk away until they finish their conversation and give them dirty looks from time to time. One time the client really didn't get the hint and kept on talking and I was able to get a cup of coffee, tidy up the pharmacy, chat with my co-worker and answer a few phone calls. I think she must have talked on her phone for about 15 minutes. One of these days I am going to start screaming at them.

Again at work, some people will answer their phones while in the exam room. My reaction is to make eye contact with the doctor (if that doesn't work I open the door and motion with my hand) to tell them to exit the room until the phone conversation is over. I suggest that the doctor wait a few minutes after the client is finished being rude before re-entering the exam room. One of these days I will add a "rude cell phone" usage fee to their bill. Actually, I think I'll start that policy today.

At a coffee shop a hot shot Walmart Executive type walked up to the counter to order, all the while chatting on his cell phone. He held the phone away from his ear, placed the order, then immediately resumed his conversation. The coffee shop staff must be used to this kind of behavior because it didn't seem to phase them. I would last one minute as an employee at this place because I would ignore the customer until he/she got off the damned phone. Had I been on the other end of the phone I would have hung up on him.

Driving down the road a woman in the next lane was texting and driving as if she had never driven a car before. At the stop light I gave her "the look" and shook my head. Too bad the police are never around to nail those bastards.

At the grocery store a woman was talking on her phone so loudly that the whole store could probably hear her conversation. Another time a woman was yakking at check out and not once did she stop the chatter. Had I been the check out person I would have double rung many items just to piss her off.

No one is so important that they can't either not answer the call or end a call whenever they are interacting with a real live person. I find it rude for people to answer calls when they are somewhere where, if cell phones had never been invented, they would normally not be available. People need to slow down and remember to be polite. Really, you and whatever the caller has to say just aren't that important.