Once you go into an establishment outside of your realm the phone should be put away; if you are conducting business or a personal call finish it ouside and then come in.

Standards of etiquette have been lost with cell phone use.

These days I think that cell phone and the word etiquette are an oxymoron for most people. 

Perhaps that's their way of avoiding discussions with those in the store?

Yes, your example I agree with. I always wonder what are they possibly talking about that they can't unglue the phone from their head?

In fact, in my physical therapy office that I go to there is a sign that says no phone use under any circumstances. I'm sure the sign is there because people have abused that.

There was a guy in Chicago that just got busted for blocking cell phones on the 'L'.  He thought too many people were being annoying on his way home so he invented this device to jam all cell signals within so many feet of him. He got busted last week - public was 50/50 for or against.

Don't get me started on this topic.  I stay on John about being addicted to his phone all the time.

Debbie ~

Like John McCormack don't get me started! Cell phones will be the end of civil society! Yesterday at the gym I had a phone yapper on each side of me yapping away for an hour non-stop and I can NOT disconnect. Then in the sauna-very small sauna-a guy is conducting business on his with 6 other guys sitting in there-unbelievable! Get me off this planet!!!

Add to this list talking/texting in church, restaurant, movie theater, checkout line.  Ugh

Roger D. Mucci I agree with Roy Kelley 

The truly annoying thing is how distracted people are-- not paying attention, watching where they're going, getting in my effin' way, etc. 3:)
If I'm in a public place, get a call and need to take it, I'll go into the quietest corner I can. I don't want them to hear me on the phone, anyway. Otherwise, reject and text that I will catch up shortly.

I don't like to use my phone in the store or anywhere that someone can hear me. I usually let the call go to voice mail and as soon as I get outside, I will call the person back.

I also don't like to use my cellphone in a restaurant and will step outside if I really need to take the call.

In my case, I don't want anyone overhearing anything I say.

I agree Roger D. Mucci , it seems to be happening everywhere, the bank, restaurant and stores. Even worse is in a congested place you are waiting in line. 

I agree.  Some places I go to have signs that say "finish your phone conversation outside and then enter".  It's really annoying trying to serve a customer and they are on the phone during the transaction.

Been there, heard that.   Stuff happens.  

I dot like it, I try not to do it, if I have to answer a call for some reason while In a story. I tell them I am busy and will call them right back and actually make an appointment to call them back at a specific to.

I'm think most all forms of etiquette went out the window about 10 years ago.

Was there really anyone on the other end of the line? Sounds like a ploy to not be approached by salespeople

It is rude and annoys the holy (may I say "crap"?) out of me. I see this so often and when it holds me up ... like the idiot in line in the grocery store who is talking on the phone and the cashier is waiting for them to pay .... PLEASE people ...get off the friggin' phone and get present!

Whew ... I feel better now. Thank you.

What drives me nuts are the people in the checkout lines at the grocery store that are so focussed on their conversation that it takes forever for them to complete the transactioon, plus we have the pleasure of listening to the entire conversation. Sometimes at the bank as well

Phone on vibrate, leave the area to a quiet spot if you must take a call.

Although, sometimes conversations between people are just as loud or worse.

I agree 100% with Raymond E. Camp 

This is less annoying by the majority of people on their phones while driving. At least if someone runs into me at a store I am not in the hospital afterwards.

I don't know what show I was watching the other night but the Mother was complaining to her husband about the teenage daughter constantly on her phone.  The husband started to laugh and said he was picturing them 100 years earlier complaining about those new fangled automobiles and that there was nothing wrong with horses . . .

For all the good that comes with cell phones, I'm happy to overlook those that were raised by wolves.  My cell is also a lifeline to several old & terminally ill relatives and I'll take their calls anywhere and anytime.

Roger D. Mucci I saw it the other day at the cash register in the grocery store. Courtesy seems to have gone out of the window.

Roger, if I have a client or agent call, I would not be walking around looking at furniture, I would stay in my car and have a e personal and private conversation. 

Good morning Roger. As long as the person excuses themselves and makes the conversation short, it doesn't bother be at all.

 I think it's rude for folks to be chatting on their cell phone in a restaurant.

When people are on their phones( talking, playing, checking n/ws, they do not really pay attention on others...This is especially dangerous when they are driving! 

Roger D. Mucci with 50th answer to your question - we all agree, it's not professional!

It is rude. There is a shoe store in Destin that had a sign up stating no talking on your cell phone while in the store. My friend was in there and her phone rang and they asked her to leave. They didn't give her a chance to terminate the call. Now that was rude.

That is BS, I would ignore anyone doing this.

I agree.  That is rude.

Raymond E. Camp I agree with you. 

I agree! 

Probably not a customer, just wanted to get in out of the cold and your furniture looked like a comfortable place to make a call.

Maybe they will be back later to buy something.

Have to agreat with you on that one, cell phone can be a problem for people like me

Hi Roger - I was going to mention the cell phone jammer that Fred highlighted above - I read a story about a guy getting arrested for using one on the NY subway - they should have given him a medal.

We, as Realtors, are guilty as charged.  Our clients are our world and sometimes we have pressing issues that need to be handled right now.  We all do things that others may perceive as uncool but if they stood to make or lose $15,000 they would most likely do what they needed to do.

Cell Phone Jammer.   Expensive, but worth every penny.  The pocket version is great.  Check state and local laws.

Grrrrrr...

Eve

Roger, it's a furniture store!  The customer is always right!  No?

I despise those that are oblivious.  These people fit in that category.  

I'll tell you my thoughts as soon as I finish this call and get a bit to eat, Roger.  

Yes, talking on the phone and texting on the phone has gotten out of control!  I've seen this done with family during get-togethers, not just in a business atmosphere, and do think it is rude Roger D. Mucci.  My personal version of Cell Phone Etiquette is, if I receive a call that I have to take to excuse myself, and walk out of the area/room.  I try to be as brief as possible - most of the time I will either let the call go to a message phone, or hand it to Roger, because he knows who we are expecting to hear from and the urgency.  I would not want a customer/client to think that call is more important than them, standing right in front of me.  

Yes its so rude. 

I think some people do this because they don't want to be approached and "sold". And when I see this, it makes me wonder if they are on a real call or just faking it...

I got caught answering my phone in the library and is was embarrassing not to mention annoying to the one who had to get up and tell me twice...stop! Never again for me....

Roger,

They are not a customer!  They are exercising and staying on the phone to distract themselves. LOL A

Hang up!

Sometimes you just have to get a grip and put it in your pocket!

that's total ignorance and that person was probably not going to spend any money anyway.... ignorant people don't have too much money to spend!!!!!

It happened at my spin class the other day. The person next to me could not put her phone away and the instructor told her she is disrupting the class...she kept the phone glued to her ear!

My 92 year old mother is having difficulty with her mortality.

The phone connection is her comforter.

If that is distressing to others, that is simpley unfortunate. I know of those who feel it a great injustice and transgression upon them should someone knock on their door. Some get smaller in their heart and mind while others may choose the path of kindness.

I would say to all those who presume to know, "Roll your eyes all you want. My priorities are CORRECT."