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| Yes | 38% | 1180 votes | Total: 3078 votes | |
| No | 62% | 1898 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesI've been working in food service for over two years now. While the majority of my customers are nice and easy to deal with, I have had my share of not so nice ones. One of my biggest pet peeves is the customer who just cannot seem to stop his or her cell phone conversation for one minute to order.
I have tried what I could to ignore the cell phone talking customer. A couple times I have not waited on them until they are off the phone. Some of them have gotten the hint and gotten off; other people snap at me in a rude tone of voice. I don't understand why I cannot tell them to end their conversation before being served. Most importantly, why is it that we have to wait on them even when they act so disrespectful?
Not only is it rude of the customer to stand there on his or her phone, employees often don't want to be involved in the personal conversations. Initially I always felt rude when I asked a chatterbox if I could take their order. I still feel that way, but maybe if they would stop for a second, I wouldn't think that I was interrupting. When they can't let go for a second, they also hold up anyone who is in line behind them who is not on the phone and waiting patiently to order.
Maybe instead of getting defensive when they are not helped, this group of offensive customers should take a hint when they are being ignored. They should also notice the way they would be treated if they weren't talking by observing how other customers are treated.
I know I will personally be nicer and more respectful to a customer not on a cell phone than I will be to one who is. This doesn't mean I am mean to them. It just means that I will only nod or point to them to signal it is their turn in line. Then I do not say "Thank you" or "Have a nice day" even when they say it first. I simply move on to the next customer or go back to whatever side job I was doing.
If you are the cell phone talking customer, which way would you prefer to be treated?
The issue of cell phone use in restaurants is one time where I believe the customer is not always right. We food service employees need to respect customers, but customers should always respect us. Until they understand that, I think is fine time for all types of restaurants to make and enforce rules banning cell phone use.
Learn more about this author, Alison Myers.
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No
The cell phone is not the problem, it's the person using the cell phone that is causing the disturbance. While the rest of us are considerate and either turn off our phones or set them to vibrate before entering a restaurant, or if we do need to take a call we speak quietly and keep the conversation brief, there are always going to be some loud mouths ruining it for the rest of us. Passing a law we really end up punishing all of us, as everyone needs to occasionally take a quick call at the table.
Much like cigarette smoke, loud cell phone users disturb and annoy those around them. Instead of a law, restaurant should start instituting a no cell phones at the table policy. Like the smokers, it's only fair that the cell phone users should have to leave the table to talk. That shouldn't be too much to ask for the individual to get up and talk twenty feet to the doorway of the restaurant.
Unfortuna tely, the type of person who is inconsiderate enough to bather on at the top of his or her lungs while the rest of us try to eat, is usually the same person that you make do anything. Have you ever tried to politely ask a person screaming on their cell phone to keep it down? Trust me, it never goes well. The responses tend to range from the lesser affronts such as "It's a free country," or "There's no law against talking on the phone," to the straight confrontations such as "F* off," or my personal favorite, "Make me." As much as I'd like to do just that, it's not in my personality.
This is why I believe it is up to the restaurant to begin "enforcing" this as a bit as a policy. There should be, of course, exceptions to the rule. In emergencies and situations like that, it should be acceptable, as long as the user is brief, quiet, and considerate of those around him or her. But beyond that, it's time that the loud talkers are made to leave the restaurant so the rest of us can enjoy a meal in peace.
Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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