From time to time, I ponder the impact that new technology, particularly the massive increase in mobile phones, is having on our society. It seems to me that the ability we now have to be constantly contactable through mobiles, emails and so on is behind increased working hours and increased stress levels as people demand what they want there and then.
I see it quite a lot at work – people on mobiles as they shop, and particularly when they are at the checkout. Some manage to hang up – often with the words “I’m at the checkout, I’ll call you back in five” – for the entire process, some at the end for payment. The later are people that irritate me, cause they inevitably slow the whole line down.
However yesterday, two men managed to get my thoughts on this very clear, and I will now categorically state – it’s rude to be on your mobile phone while someone is trying to serve you.
Here’s what happened – they were buying six bottles of three litre milk. Transaction should have taken barely a minute. In fact, probably closer to thirty seconds if the customer is also on their game. Phone rings just as I’m finishing up with previous customer and getting ready to serve them. Man 1 answers and starts chatting away. Man 2 just looks at me.
“How are you?” I say happily (as I always do) and I start scanning. Both men stay where they are on the front side of the register, Man 1 talking, Man 2 looking at me.
I finish scanning (takes all of 15 seconds maybe) and say the transaction amount. Man 2 looks at me, then turns and puts his hand in Man 1’s pocket and pulls out plastic bags. Walks round to other side of register and starts putting milk into bags. Man 1 ambles along behind, still chatting.
I mention amount again. Man 2 keeps packing milk. Man 1 keeps talking.
Mention amount again. Man 1 finally hands me some money. Not enough. I say I need more. He waves his hand at Man 2. Man 1 still on phone.
Man 2 gives me rest of money. I open till, put money away, close till. Four of the milk bottles have made their way into bags. Remaining two won’t fit. Man 1 still talking. Can feel the eyes of the rest of the customers boring into me.
Man 2 picks up bags, gestures to Man 1, then looks at rest of customers. It seems he has clicked that everyone is getting a little antsy. He picks up last two bottles of milk and puts them down on the ground next to the till. Man 1 stiiiiiill talking.
Man 1 finally bends down, picks up milk bottles and walks away, phone plastered to his ear. Next customer is finally able to move their trolley into place to start their transaction.
I think the entire thing took more than three minutes. To buy six bottles of milk. And all because some idiot decided that he couldn’t wait thirty seconds or so to answer the phone, and that talking to that person was more important than concluding the transaction with me.
So, I am decided and I send out a plea – please, please, please don’t answer your phone when you are at a checkout in a supermarket. It’s time-consuming, annoying and rude.