There’s a time and place for everything. This includes using Bluetooth technology. Although talking on the phone has been proven to inhibit ones ability to drive, even when using a Bluetooth, it’s decidedly better than using a conventional phone. Bluetooth is also good for talking on the phone while unloading a truck, raking the leaves, shoveling snow, exercising, and while partaking in a myriad of other activities. Arguably, its even okay to use during work when one is not in the public eye—-if your boss will allow it in the first place. Personally, I think it would reduce productivity more often than the few times it would increase efficiency in some work scenarios. Personally, I wouldn’t allow it in my business behind the front counter or in the back room for that matter. If one answers phones for a living, then fine.

    Owning a restaurant, I come across at least 5 people a day who come up and order their sandwich while talking on their Bluetooth. I don’t wait for them to come to a break in their conversation. I say, “Hello, what can I get for you, Sir/M’am? If they don’t respond immediately I go to the next customer. It’s not fair to the other ten people behind them waiting their turn to order. After taking the next person’s order, they usually put whomever they were talking to on hold and then say something to the effect of, “Whuddyou forget about me?” To which I reply, “I didn’t want to interrupt your phone call. That would have been rude of me, don’t you think?” What can they really say to that? The next station where their sandwich is slid to is the dressing station where we put whatever the customer wants on their sandwich. Same thing too. When asked, “Works on your sandwich?” If they don’t respond immediately, there’s a smile and its on to the next customer. This is how we train them without getting a reputation of being a “Sandwich Nazi”.

   Although I do consider it rude for customers to be on the phone while they are ordering their lunch, I always keep in mind that they are my customers and without them I am nothing. I’d rather them on the phone than not in my store at all but  I’m always cogniscent of the people who are following them in line, and  the limited time they have to get lunch and get back to the office. It really doesn’t chap my butt that much because we keep the line moving and we are nice about it.

  WHAT DOES CHAP MY BUTT IS….When I’M the customer at a deli, or coffee shop, a jewelry store or wherever, and the salesperson has a Bluetooth! I don’t give a rat’s ass if its on, or off, or if they are talking on it or whatever. The mere fact that it’s in their ear is putting me in second place. If there is anyone out there reading this who owns a business, listen up. Make your salespeople remove their Bluetooth from their ear. It’s rude. It makes a customer always feel like they are interrupting something and thats an uncomfortable feeling. There’s no good reason to have it in your ear. If the salesperson gets a business call, they should pick up the telephone. If they get a personal call, they shouldn’t be answering it anyway!

   I went to a Duncan Donuts this morning where the clerk had a Bluetooth in his ear. I thought he was talking to me but when I ordered my coffee I was greeted with him holding his index finger up as to suggest, “Just a sec, I’m on the phone.” I felt like an idiot and embarrassed to boot. When he finally gave me the okay to order, I said, “Are you sure you’re ready for me? I mean, I wouldn’t want to take away from your phone call.” I figured he hung up but no, the guys replies with, ” It’s alright, I put him on hold.” which made me feel incredibly rushed. I ordered my coffee, forgot to get a donut and left. It was the first time I didn’t leave a tip in my ENTIRE life. I just couldn’t. It’s bad enough we tip people for making a lousy cup of coffee, but to not get their full attention? Cya. I won’t be back. There are too many other places I can go to get the same cup of coffee. Its small stuff like this that happens to businesses when there isn’t an owner present, or someone who has a vested interest in the business. Usually, owners see numbers go down, then they start working more hours in hopes to regain customers but by that time it’s too late. Customers have a way of spreading the word about bad customer service too. You know the old addage, “Bad news travels around the world twice while Good news is still putting its shoes on.”

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