A few days ago at a computer store in Toronto, I spotted a sign posted near the cashier. It read:
As a courtesy to the cashier serving you and those waiting in line behind you. No talking on cellphones while purchasing items.
It reminded me of this sign forbidding laptops in a Marais cafe.
What do you think? Should stores tell their customers how and when they can use electonics?
yes, I don’t think we need to hear your private conversations.
It is rude to think in someone’s else’s space I need to hear all your personal life issues.
If an emergency exists take your phone and go outside.
Have some respect for other’s space (air)!
Banning cellphones is more defensible than laptop use, since a spoken voice is more intrusive (if you know the language it is speaking) than tapping of keys. We can turn away from a visual distraction, but we can’t close our ears.
As long as the policy is applied without discrimination, a business should have the same freedom to regulate electronics use as it has to enforce a dress code. However if a government or post office, school, etc. wishes to impose the same rule it should be required to demonstrate a need which justifies the policy. The public doesn’t have the same freedom to opt out of those official services, as we do when patronising a private business.
I don’t have an issue with businesses having their rules. Its their place. No one is forcing me to buy their muffins or their coffeed! If I don’t like the rules, then I don’t have to support them! It’s easy!
And, when it comes to cell phones in restaurants, in line, etc., I wonder why people using their phones insist on using their outside voice! I’m just not interested in listening to them from the other side of the restaurant or back of the line! I’ve got my own stuff to take care of, I don’t need to listen to theirs. Learn to take it outside, pleeeeez!
Does the conversation, at least the half we can unwittingly hear, not become public domain property? Thus we should all feel free to repeat everything we hear-only louder or in our best “I just inhaled helium” voice? Or perhaps, we could tap the transgressor on the shoulder and ask them if they would mind repeating that last part so that you can get it right when you post it on Youtube.
A very late comment…
I think this issue is about respect. As a customer, I am at the cashier for a very short time. They’re normal people doing their job and deserve the same respect as I expect to be shown to me. Put down the phone, take out the headphones and acknowledge that the cashier is not a robot.
Of course, I also agree with the comments about far-too-public cellphone conversations. It’s almost as if people believe that the cellphone is a license to shout.
would you remember where about that cafe in Marais was, perhaps in 'la rue de la bretonnerie'?