My thoughts on cell phones etc....

Thanks for your comments on phone etiquette I love how each has their own way of talking, etc.... I find it very interesting the comments from those in the "service industry" that I have encountered. Like the customer service rep at Staples, she had no clue what I had going on in my life and if my phone call was emergent or not she just assumed that talking on the phone was rude. Or the McDonald's drive thru person who was offended I didn't set my phone down to hand them my 1.50 for my diet coke. Are these people in "service positions" or am I there to serve them....

My daughter and I vary greatly on our opinions about cell phones, she would rather no one have them at all, she prefers the pioneer days of hand written letters and conversations on the porch with a cup of tea and a pal...

I on the other hand learned long ago that if I was going to juggle my life of two jobs, two kids, a wife, daughter and friend I was going to need to maximize my time. Sure I schedule in down time where there is no technology and I am known to unplug from time to time, but overall my life doesn't allow for me to put down the phone to check out. Now... before you get your hackle up... Yes the person in front of my deserves respect and I try to be nice as much as possible. BUT I will tell you this, I feel horribly guilty when I don't look someone in the eye and say hello, or mean it when I ask a stranger how they are doing.. I really do care... BUT I will also be the first to tell you that I don't always have that in my reserves. There were times this year when I didn't want to leave my room or that house for that matter and driving thru was because my daughter had to eat, on the chance a doctor or a caregiver for my husband called I was not going to hang up while we drove thru McD*nalds. I didn't want to put down the phone when a good friend and I finally could connect while running thru the supermarket. I talked quietly but connecting with the checkout person is not part of the transaction. But maintaining a much needed relationship with my pal James was......

I will use more caution when in public places but you are darn tootin' I am going to be hooked up to my cell phone either by text, voice or email when I need to be. I pay a pretty penny to have that ability and a checker, customer service rep or other can be grateful, I didn't bother them with my questions or sometimes bad attitude.... ha!