Is It Rude to Talk on a Cell Phone While...

Personally I find it rude because it gave the technician no opportunity to engage in conversation with you. I think it kind of demoted them to servant level whether you are a good tipper or not. The fact that you're even asking the question tells me what you truly think the answer is.

I have tried to strike up a conversation with the nail tech and honestly, mine dont speak very good English. It almost seems to make them have to work harder, because customer service is thier business. Usually they talk amongst each other and I have no idea what they are saying. I always make pleasantries I say hello, ask how are they, but beoynd that, If there is noone near me and she isnt talking to anyone I will ask - hey do you mind if I make a call. They seem relieved.

I try to never be using my cell phone in any capacity while another person is doing something for me--not in the bank's drive-thru lane, not at the checkout counter, not when picking up my son in the pick-up lane, not at the beauty shop, not at a nail salon, etc... It is not like I am going to engage in conversations with all of those people (teller, checker, teacher, stylist, nail tech), but as a point of respect I just don't do it. I think it is a bit demeaning--as if I'd be deliberately ignoring the person. JMO.

You can absolutely get a pedicure without chatting with the workers. AND you can go in with a friend and talk to each other constantly. What makes it hard with a cell phone conversation is if the worker needs to communicate with you and she can't without feeling like she's interrupting you. The phone conversation makes it more challenging for them. But by NO means do I think you have to chat with the tech -- grab a magazine or close your eyes and enjoy!!

I think it's rude. Just as I think it's rude to talk on a cell phone in an elevator, in a store.....while technology is great - this is one of the things that totally sucks....I don't want to know your business or that of who you are talking to on the cell phone...you'd be surprised at what people hear while you are yapping away...and you would be surprised how loud you really are - sorry - but it's true - you may think you aren't loud - but when people are yapping away....they are not cognizant of just how loud they really are....

I try REALLY hard NOT to talk to anyone on my cell in stores, etc. Yes. I've done it - when I'm looking for something specific in a store, size, etc...but I'm on and off....

As a hairstylist, the times I find it rude are when I need to communicate to the client, when her phone conversation is slowing my time making me late for other people (yes, it happens very frequently), when they constantly put the phone to their ear when I am trying to work on that side of the head, when the nod and laugh and such when I am working on them and they need to be still, when they are loud and obnoxious, speaking crudely and using obscene language bothering other guests as well as myself, (yes, I have heard it all!).

So, for nail technicians, while they don't have quite as many issues, so long as the conversation is brief, not obnoxious, and the you aren't holding them up, then I think it is okay.

Holding them up would be like if they ask you to have a seat, or to get up or move positions, or ask you for your nail color choice, and they have to wait several minutes for an answer or you to respond b/c you are too busy on the phone. Frustrating, especially when other clients are waiting.

It is rude when setting appointments, arriving to sign in and being introduced to the stylist/technician, checking out/paying when you are on the phone. Once you are seated is a better time.

But, it doesn't sound like you did any of that, I think you were fine and shouldn't worry about it since you were pretty discreet. Especially since the people didn't really speak English much. Really, it's sometimes hard to focus on doing hair/nails and the like when the person is talking to me the whole time. While our clients in teh salon our getting pedicures, we usually bring them something to drink and a few magazines so they can relax and occupy themselves.

I would say it is rude. Would you talk on your cell when you have your hair done? Most people talk to their stylist, why were you ignoring the woman doing your nails?

You really don't see your conversation as rude as when they speak to each other in a language you don't understand?

I personally do not WANT to engage in conversation with the nail tech doing my pedicure. Is that rude of me? :) I think as long as you weren't being super loud it's perfectly fine. I don't think it's rude.

Hmm...I don't think it's rude to NOT talk to the techs while you get a pedi. Although I don't have phone conversations, I DO sit myself down and whip out a magazine or my iphone to pass the time. It's relaxation time for me...I'd NEVER converse with a *massage* therapist (and, frankly, would be miffed if they tried to chat with me during my massage), so why would I feel the need to be chatty with a pedicurist (sp?). If they spoke to me, of course, I'd engage and talk with them, but I don't go out of my way to start a conversation.

Honestly, I don't see that you did anything rude by having a quiet one-sided phone conversation in an almost empty shop. I'd much rather listen to you in that situation than a couple of loud yapping women gossiping about the Kardashians while I tried to read my magazine, which is what USUALLY seems to happen when I go for pedis.

Nope. Not rude.
Now if you were in a row of chairs and people all down the line receiving THEIR pedis had to listen to you...then yep.
Just keep an eye on the tech to be sure to take any cues needed during the pedi. Not rude at all.

I think it's rude, sorry. But I also think it's rude when people walk around stores and sit in restaurants and gab on the phone. I just don't think phone conversations should be done anywhere and anytime people want to do them.

I think in the service industry people are treated poorly, and I think it's taken in and reflected back to the decline of good customer service.

It does sound like you were conscious of being in public talking on the phone, but I still think that just because you're paying someone for a service doesn't justify ignoring them by being on the phone the entire appointment. It's not necessary to chat or try to make conversation the whole appt. I'm sure they are used to people relaxing in different ways... reading a magazine etc... There's something different about being held at arms length by a cell phone.

Your SWH sounds really defensive... you asked an opinion from us and admitted that you didn't feel right about it. Did you want a response that you shouldn't have felt weird about it? I'm confused.

I don't think you were rude when there were no patrons near you. The person doing your pedi could care less. The only thing I would be thinking is that I would want to relax and close my eyes and enjoy the experience. So I wouldn't let my friend rob me of that, to be honest.

Keep getting the pedi's, and just turn off your cell phone when you go in there!

Dawn

I don't think it would be rude to the nail tech at all, but probably to the other customers. I am with you...I would like to read a book and just bliss out while getting pampered. But....if I was reading a book and had to listen to someone's phone conversation I would be ticked.
L.

I would say rude. As a podiatrist, I would be offended if my client walked in, on the phone, sat in the chair, on the phone, had a treatment, on the phone. Yes I would find that very rude if it was not an emergency. I don't understand the fascination that people have these days of having to be constantly and forever more talking with someone on the phone.
Less rude would have been "Do you mind if I talk on the phone during my pedicure"

I talk while getting one... I just talk quietly :)

I don't think it's rude. They probably prefer to not have to entertain or have someone staring at them. Of course I just talked to my mom-in-law (my best friend) on the phone while I was at Walgreens walking up and down the aisles. So maybe I am THAT annoying person. :-P

No, I think your perfectly fine thats your time and if you choose to talk on your phone then do it. Most of the time when Im home with the kids I dont have the time to sit and talk.
So you get your pedi enjoy it,relax, talk to your girlfriends not a big deal.

I just like that you're thoughtful enough to even consider whether or not it was rude. That's a good indicator that it wasn't.

And, I've only gotten a pedicure 2 times in one of those shops. Neither time did I converse with the woman doing my nails. Their English wasn't that good, the workers were chatting amongst themselves, and I was reading a magazine. It didn't seem rude at all.

i think you are fine its your momma time

Not rude. At least where I live, none of the nail technicians speak English anyway. They sit and chat amongst themselves, which is fine with me. I hate having to make small talk at the nail salon. And likewise, it's clear that they don't care whatsoever if I have a conversation on the phone. Like you, I keep my voice down while on the phone so I'm not bothering other customers. One time I went to get a pedicure with my SIL when she came to visit. Was it rude of us to chat while we sat there? No! So why would it be rude if I'm having the same conversation with her on the phone?

Enjoy your pedicure. I promise the person doing your nails doesn't care.

You will give up pedicures just because some people feel it is rude to talk on the phone wile you are receiving it??? Really?? Wow!!

Not the direction I would take but I don't like talking on the phone when receiving a mani/pedi. I like to relax with a silly magazine.

If there was no other paying customer around, my vote is that its NOT rude. However, I distinctly remember times when my pedicure relaxation time has been ruined by a cell phone talker.

I personally feel its rude. But, you are paying for a service and there isn't any rule that you have to talk to the tech and not be on the cell phone. It just doesn't sit well with me.

I don't think it's anymore rude than going with a friend and chit chatting with your friend the whole time...your not there to make friends with the nail tech! I can't believe the heat you got for this.

Personally I'm not a big phone person. I don't talk on it regularly when out in public, but I don't mind when other people do.

When I go to get my nails done at our local salon, the techs don't speak english. If they do, it's not apparent to me. Anyway, they carry on conversations with each other while they do my nails...would others say it's rude for them not to engage me in conversation? I think not!