I went to Starbucks this morning to get some work done and to grow my hair back via large doses of caffeine.
Low and freakin behold I come across two “Pacers” on their cell phone.
Time Out . . . I bet you don’t know what a “Pacer” is.
A “Pacer” is someone who walks back and forth while talking on their cell phone.
That’s fine, I happen to be one of them and to my knowledge, short of shackling someone, there is no known cure.
So any way, I’ve come to the conclusion that since I have more than a few pounds I need to lose, and these cell phone “Pacers” seem to stop in front of my table, that the only logical conclusion is that the cellular signal increases when it bounces off my belly.
Or maybe we need to “take a knee” and have a little . . .
“Cell Phone Etiquette” Refresher
1) Please don’t take calls in restaurants. There is no reason why you should do that to your guests as well as the people around you. Here’s a thought: If you’re really that busy, grab a sandwich at your desk!
2) If you do need to take a call, speak at the same volume you would if the person were at your table. The problem with cell phones is that most people speak way too loud.
3) If you do need to take the call, please stop pacing. You might think that spreading out your rudeness between 10 or more tables is being kind, but I respectfully disagree.
4) Should you decide to make a call in front of lots of people, stop talking in a manner that makes you think we care about your call. I mean, I think its really cool that you just told Sally that the “London office is expanding” but you and I both know its really your wife telling you that you have to pick up junior after his mathletes event.
5) Don’t even think of talking on your phone in the restroom. Its wrong and I hope the 6th grade version of yourself appears long enough to push you into a flushing urinal. Oh and should it ever become evident that someone has called you from the depths of a toilet as evidenced by the all telling echo, toilet flush or barrage of explosive diarrhea . . you need to reevaluate that friendship. UNACCEPTABLE!
6) I hope you turn your cell phone off when you are with clients. If not, I hope you don’t take the call.
7) As a general rule, you really should either go outside or go to an area where there aren’t people (like Siberia, the desert or the studio audience of The Rosie O’Donnell show)
8) There was an amazing discovery recently after a study was conducted by a group of the worlds best scientists. They concluded that the world would NOT end if we didn’t stop what we’re doing to take EVERY call.
Any who, I gotta run. My cell phone is going off and I want to take it before the fat dude at the next table screws up my signal!
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Truly great post…made me laugh all the while making an excellent point! Loved it!
Thank you so much. I’m really glad you enjoyed it!
As always – fabulous post Paul. Great reminders of basic etiquette (constantly amazes me how many people need to be reminded of such things, myself included) and a well timed moment of levity.
Happy Wednesday,
Beth
Thanks Beth and a Happy Wednesday to you too!
Paul,
Thanks for the laugh this morning! I kind of thought, due to my observations that is no Cell Phone etiquette. Between Restaurants, Banks and Supermarkets I would like to slap everyone who thinks it’s so cool to blab on your phone while doing business in a public place.
I never take my cell into a sales call for the same reasons!
Thanks for the laugh today and also do you really get better reception ;-)?
Regards,
Larry
Agreed.
I think the best cell phone etiquette is to just leave it in the car.
I’ve thought of slapping people who do that but the law would side with them.
Rest assured that if I find out that the end of the world is definitely coming on 12-12-12 I’m calling you up and we’re going on a slapping spree!
Thanks Larry!
Well good ! Thanks Paul…..a long-over-due reminder for many.
I’ve been noticing an alarming amount of smart phone checking and/or facebook reviewing when I’m actually at an appointment with a client or colleague. Texting, checking email, etc.
I’ve been overly permissive in this area and have established a ‘You text, I walk’ policy, with a one text mercy policy.
I like the way you think Brett!
Well said!
Thanks for stopping by!
#7 cracks me up. I work at an AlphaGraphics here in Chicago’s West Loop and we are caddy-corner from Harpo Studios. I see folks line up 200-300 deep two times a day for the Rosie O’Donnell Show when they are taping. Whereas Oprah gave away gifts from iPods to Cars, Rosie gives the same thing everyday to every “guest.” Snuggies. I watch two guys two times a day push giant bins on casters across Washington Blvd. overflowing with Snuggies. Rosie even changed the color one time! It was grand. So her audience may not be empty per se, but they obviously are easily pleased.
I stand corrected 🙂
Hi my name is Colin and I am a pacer. I have to say I can’t take a phone call standing still, I must roam but I do take it outside and leave the cell phone in the car. Thanks for the great reminder about cell phone etiquette…I still find laugh everytime I thing about you flushing the toliets repeatily while someone is “multi-tasking” in the washroom.
I do the same Colin.
I hope there’s a 12 step somewhere for us 🙂
EXCELLENT! What a humorous way to remind us there is (or should be) cell phone etiquette. Oh…and pay no attention to the flushing sounds as I am near the fountain not the restroom. :-))
Thank you and thank you for clarifying about the fountain 🙂
Thanks Tim!
Happy Wednesday to you!
#5 to help those out that seem to have the need to talk in the men’s room I usually double flush as a courtesy
Nicely said – I am in the wireless business and I pass out etiquitte cards to new customers to remind them of things. I also make a point to show my potential customer, or whoever I may meet with in a public place that I turn my phone off when I sit down with them.
It’s a great opportunity to have them do the same.
I too am a pacer, but I am the one walking outside the Starbucks to talk to people.
Thanks for the post.
Paul great post, great points and some good Paul C. humour. I must admit I am an unawares pacer myself, I don’t notice myself doing it, but I get called out. Fortunately, I only do this at home as I usually leave my phone in the car when I am in on appointments.
And guess what I missed a call once and the world didn’t end. Those experts, “they” always seem to be right.
Paul,
Really? The world won’t end?
It is amazing how many self important folks there are in the world. Every email needs their immediate attention. Every call needs to be answered, and they have to leave their phone on the table, just in case an asteroid hits.
Hard as it may seem to believe, the world existed for a long time before there were smartphones; at least a few years.
Turn it off. Put it away;. Discover there are other things that need attending.
Cheers,
Marc