Imagine the following scenario.
A man steps into the store.
He seems nice enough. I greet him with a smile and "Good morning!" He replies, "Good morning!" He walks up to the counter and I ask, "What can I get for you today?" To which he puts his finger up as if to say, "one second" and pulls out a crossword puzzle, then he starts filling in the words!
He's not paying any attention to me, but is saying the clues aloud. "hmm, what's a 4 letter word for 'impolite?'"
"oh, sorry.. yes.. I'll have a large latte," he says.
"Great!" I exclaim, "Would you like a flavor added?"
He looks down at his crossword.. "RUDE! That's what it is.. rude. Now.. 6 down.. oh sorry.. I HAD to do that crossword right now, what what was it you asked me?"
He seems nice enough. I greet him with a smile and "Good morning!" He replies, "Good morning!" He walks up to the counter and I ask, "What can I get for you today?" To which he puts his finger up as if to say, "one second" and pulls out a crossword puzzle, then he starts filling in the words!
He's not paying any attention to me, but is saying the clues aloud. "hmm, what's a 4 letter word for 'impolite?'"
"oh, sorry.. yes.. I'll have a large latte," he says.
"Great!" I exclaim, "Would you like a flavor added?"
He looks down at his crossword.. "RUDE! That's what it is.. rude. Now.. 6 down.. oh sorry.. I HAD to do that crossword right now, what what was it you asked me?"
Would you ever think to do such a thing to someone?
Probably not.
But people do it every single day. Only not with a crossword. But a cell phone. Cell phones have taken over the part of the brain that governs manners in our daily life. People have that thing stuck to their heads, as if they will shrivel up once it gets too far away from their ear.
I see it at the grocery store. A customer ahead of me is yelling in their cell phone all the while the cashier is timidly saying "That'll be $23.55."
I see it at restaurants. Servers aren't sure if customers are ready to order because those customers are on their phones.
What is happening here? What is so important that it can't wait just 2 minutes? Where have our manners gone!?
Some people have teased me about my dislike for cell phones at the counter. But I think it's more than just a "dislike." It's about respect. Respecting me. Respecting our business. Respecting people.
I think we've lost sight of that.
So to take back our counter, so to speak, we've posted a nicely worded sign,
To ensure
accurate service,
no cell phones
at the counter, please.
Lots of customers have noticed it, and applauded it. The only people who have not said anything about it?
Those who had a cell phone stuck to their ear and did not see it.
-Tricia
Those who had a cell phone stuck to their ear and did not see it.
-Tricia
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