Some people shouldn't be allowed out of the house

[AAT53]

I was at Wal-Mart this morning. I got in line behind a woman who was putting her stuff on the belt. She stopped about 1/4 of the way through to go and talk to a woman who had just finished up at the register next to us. She just talked and talked and talked. When the cashier had finished ringing up what was on the belt I said "excuse me" and the woman did the "oh, sorry" move. She then two two steps towards her cart, turned around and started talking again. :eek:

From what I could hear it seems that she is so hard up to have someone, anyone..e-mail her that manners just don't have a place in her world.

She did mention (to the woman she was talking to) that "there are other registers open around here". Then said "sorry" to me again. I told her not to worry since apparently it's her world and the rest of us are just existing in it.

[LFE]

You should have started putting all kinds of crap on the belt for her....

[Nanuk]

I have, on past occasion, moved a woman's stuff aside when she stopped loading the belt to take a phone call.

She said "You wouldn't do that is my husband was here!"

I replied: "No, I'd make him do it."

[PhoenixOrion]

You should have started putting all kinds of crap on the belt for her....

...or throw all her crap back into the cart and put your stuff onto the belt.

[Kensey]

One thing retail folks hate (with, I think, justification) is anytime somebody makes them and everybody else in line wait while they finish a phone conversation. I've stepped up to a counter with my phone to my ear before (conference call) but I placed an order, paid for it and kept the line going reasonably well.

[BigTom]

I just don't answer the phone if it's not a good time or place. It's just a phone call, the worlds not going to end if you don't answer it. I also do weird things like turn my phone off if I'm someplace where a phone call isn't appropiate. Phones are a convenience they shouldn't rule your life.

[derricksonb]

The problem being that some people were never taught proper manners or that common sense eludes them. Then there are those who are of the impression that the earth moon sun and stars all revolve around them and need a subtle reminder... like having a shopping cart rammed into their pretentious backsides to nudge them towards the door and off the phone.

[LFE]

I'm on conferance calls all the time that require me to listen and respond to parts in great detail... but also contain parts that allow me to multitask. As Kensey mentions above.... and noting that it might not be ideal... but who really cares if your use of a phone does not effect others in line (i.e. you are not slowing the process of checking out, it should be a moot point).

Next thing folks will say is that they would rather have a kid scream and cry while waiting for a plane over letting them use their DSi... Now if you will excuse me I have to return to texting and driving (and yes that is a joke as I really do not text very often at all, and can say that I have never texted at all while driving). Sadly, I got a $185 ticket in upstate NY for using a cell phone while driving (I think pointing out that he was using a radio while pulling me over might have helped with that fine).