Cell phones are great, but they're becoming so much a part of people's lives that they are forgetting about other parts of their lives, such as common courtesy and watching where they're going. One of the things that grinds my gears most at work is when a customer is on their phone. There's a time and a place to have long, personal phone conversations and when you're picking up your prescription isn't one of those times or places. If I'm giving my full attention to you, I expect you to at least give me more than a minimal sliver of your attention. It's just rude, plus it takes longer to conduct the transaction as I have to wait for them to acknowledge their next step in the process. When someone's brain is on a phone conversation, it takes significantly longer for them to realize when it's time to sign their receipt, when it's time to walk away, etc.
My preference is to not wait on that person who is talking on his or her phone. If there's someone else waiting or something else I could be doing, I'll say (politely) "I'll wait until you're done with your phone call." This isn't possible sometimes, though. With the addition of the drive through, I have seen a lot more of this divided attention. People are on their phone while driving and sometimes even on super-loud-speakerphone mode so I can hear the person on the other end better then the person in front of me. In this case, I can't really let someone else in front of them, but I don't even try to ask them how they're doing or tell them to have a good evening because I know they aren't paying any attention to what I'm saying; just going through the motions. Even worse than continuing their phone call is when they actually apologize to the person on the other end for interrupting their ever-so-important call to be inconvenienced by me trying to explain their medication to them.
My other gripe with cell phones is when people find it more important to text than to watch where they're going. You see this all over campus, especially. Someone has their earbuds in and their full attention is on their phone. It's just annoying when you have to dart out of their way. Sometimes I don't, though, until they are close to running into me and notice at the last second. It's kind of mean, but it's fun for me and maybe they'll "pull over" to the side of the walkway the next time they need to read a text. They do have one advantage, though. When confronted by a guy in Red Square handing out literature or bibles or the like, you can use the texter as a moving human shield to avoid being accosted!
Finals are coming up very soon. In less than a week, I will be free (to work), but I have a lot of learning to do between now and then. This will be interesting with an 8 hour shift tomorrow and a work party on Saturday, but I'm not all that worried (…yet. Talk to me again on Sunday night). The good thing is I've finished listening to all of the Harry Potter audiobooks so I won't be distracted by that. The two biggies are back to back on Monday then another one on Tuesday. Not much separation, but I guess that means they'll be over sooner. Always look on the bright side of life, I guess…
No comments:
Post a Comment