Was I Being Rude?

Updated on November 02, 2011
A.F. asks from Albany, CA
27 answers

Was I rude? If I was it was unintentional. I went to the eye doctor today and sat in the waiting room on a bench for 3. I sat on one end and there was another lady on the other end just sitting there with an unopened book on her lap. They have benches spread out periodically thoughout the front and the others were taken. I pulled out my phone and yes got on mamapedia while I had a free moment. She could not see what I was doing and there was no sound. She kept giving me dirty looks and then finally went "Hmmpph" then stood up and went to the desk in front of us and said "When my mom gets done tell her I decided to wait in car" then shot me another look as she went out the door.

I had no perfume on. Dress pants and dress shirt. I was not talking on the phone, I was not typing, simply catching up with you guys. So someone tell me was I being rude? I could have been reading a book for all she knew as I do have the app on my phone, but I wasn't using it.

Was she simply having a bad day or possible space issues (however another person could have sat between us easily). I really am not going to let it bother me as I have lots more important things going on in my life, but her behavior puzzled me. The doctor's office did not appear to be running very late, so I can't imagine that she had been sitting there waiting for an entended time period.

So why was I her scapegoat?

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Featured Answers

D.P.

answers from Detroit on

Maybe it's one of those things where she farted and then gives you the dirty "how dare you stare" to cast blame you way. Lol.

4 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I don't see why she got her panties in a wad over that. You weren't talking and it is like you said, for all she knew you were reading.

I'd chalk it up to her being the rude one, not you. Maybe she wanted someone to converse with her or something. Poor way to show that though!

Have a great rest of the day!

3 moms found this helpful

★.O.

answers from Tampa on

I don't think you were rude... she may dislike cell use, may have had a bad experience with a partner using their phone or just having a bad day - I'd hate to think she was such a brat as her normal personality.

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A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

That lady was me. The voices in my head told me you were here from the planet Zybok sent to suck the brains out of all who dwell in waiting rooms. Also your shirt was a color that signifies an alignment with evil forces on odd numbered years and I saw the hidden camera in your hair. You "people" have been following me for years that's why I live in the woods and have bear traps and a moat in my yard and wear a camouflage nightgowns.....

aaagggghhh! who knows. She sounds crazy. Unless your phone has beeping noises. That drives me crazy :)

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S.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Um, because she's WEIRD and you were the closest person nearby, just enjoying Mamapedia and your day.

Whatever : )

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Not you - she has her own issues.

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

No you were not rude and I wouldn't worry about it. She obviously is the person with the problem. Life is too short, forget about it!!!

4 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Some people get bent out of shape when a person texts on their phone in a waiting room.
Personally I see nothing wrong with texting as long as it's on vibrate for responses.
I hate it when people let their kids play video games (hand held devices) in a waiting area and WILL NOT MUTE the bloody game.
I can't stand people chatting away on phones so the whole room is held hostage to a one sided conversation.
On occasion I'll try to join the conversation and when the inevitable huffy 'This Is A Private Conversation!" reply is given I smile and say 'If I can hear it, it's not private at all".
Worst case of this I ever saw of this was a fellow parent in a parent waiting area while we were waiting for school to be let out.
This lady (and I use the term loosely) was on her phone loudly swearing a blue streak (do you kiss your kids with that mouth?) and finally a teacher asked her to take it outside - the rest of us almost applauded.
I think you were fine.
What ever bee was in her bonnet, it should not have had anything to do with you.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Who knows what her issue was? Loud talking on the phone, or perfume, would both have driven me out of that space, but you were doing neither.

You'll have know way of knowing, since she left without voicing her problem. I have both a sister and a mother who do things like you just described. Sometimes, we just have to let other people do whatever it is they think they have to do. It's not on you, it's on her.

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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

There are some people out there who have zero tolerance for cell phones and such devicees. You didn't mention how old she was but if she was older it would be an even bigger erk.

I don't have a problem with people texting and such. I do have a problem with people talking on their cell phones, usually loud, when we're in a quiet area, smaller area, restaurant, etc. I find that rude. But what you were doing I wouldn't find rude at all. She just may be one of those people who do not like tech devices at all in public. There's people like that. Is it possible she said hello to you and you didn't hear her?

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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K.H.

answers from Detroit on

Maybe you were supposed to entertain her? I wouldn't worry about it.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Can't imagine why that would have bothered her. Has she been living under a rock for the last 20 years? LOL
I guess you were just a scapegoat for her miserable day.

3 moms found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

You weren't talking on your cell phone loudly so I can't imagine what her problem was. In todays world even talking on the cell phone quietly is acceptable. Please let it go. You don't even know her. You were not being rude. It may not have even been about you. Maybe she just lost control of her bladder?

You just never know what people might not approve of. Their problem, not yours.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds like she needs to get a life....Somethign set her off but I doubt it was you. No you were not rude...Sometimes people feel helpless and everyone and anyone in that person's path gets it..No not right but it happens. Go sit where ever you want and text.

2 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Sounds like she was the rude one. Just be glad she left.
I have spent way too many hours in waiting rooms this year. You would not have bothered me. The people who carry on loud conversations with another person or on the phone do. It is impossible to read or just try to stay relaxed with too much noise. People should remember that some of the people in the waiting room need a little quiet and peace.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

No I do NOT think that was rude.
It is your business.

I see many people in waiting rooms... even doing work on their laptops or doing paperwork.
Its fine to me.
No biggie.
People can wait in a waiting room, doing what they want, as long as it is not noisy. Most people if on a phone, will go outside and talk.

You weren't doing anything.... irritating. To me.
You weren't even talking or typing, on your phone.

That woman, was a real pain.

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

She was grumpy or moody. You were fine, no worries! I've come across this before where it seems my mere presence seemed to offend someone. It's annoying but people seem to be out of sorts lately for no apparent reason. Maybe she wanted the bench to herself. Or maybe she was jealous because you had a phone you could play on and all she had was a book. OR maybe she was mad because her mom was taking too long and she had no one else to act angry towards... you weren't rude... she was!

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

If you weren't talking and your phone wasn't making noises, then I think she was rude and not you. She may not have really wanted to be there in the first place and she wasn't a patient.

2 moms found this helpful

J.U.

answers from Washington DC on

Sounds like she was the one with the issues. You didn't do anything rude. Chalk it up to she was having a bad day. She could have been upset that she was having to wait for her Mother? Some people hate to wait. Needless to say, she shouldn't have made you feel uncomfortable. I do the same thing waiting in the doc office, I just put my phone on silent and surf the net. Sorry you were made feel that way!

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A.M.

answers from Sacramento on

No, you were not rude at all.
I have no problem with people using their phone quietly in public. The only thing that drives me nuts in public is when someone is smacking their gum. LOL. Probably just because we're trying to teach our kids that we shouldn't hear them chomping gum or it goes in the trash.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hey you were not there to intertain her. It does not matter what you were doing!!! Even if you where texting!!!!!!!!!

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D.C.

answers from Fresno on

I agree - you weren't rude at all. She definitely has some of her own issues.

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K..

answers from Phoenix on

She sounds like one of those people that will always find something to be irritated about. Poor her.

1 mom found this helpful

L._.

answers from San Diego on

She sounds like the rude person to me. I wouldn't care if you were talking on the phone. I think people that get in a snit over that need to grow up. People go places together all the time and get into conversations. The rest of the room is "held hostage" to both sides of that conversation. And yet I've never heard anyone tell a couple of friends chatting to shut up.

I do agree with the poster below talking about swearing in public! I hate hearing that and I'm sure lots of people do. But I must admit...I only hate it because it's a problem that I have when I get frustrated. In order to not swear, I have to make sure I never watch it on tv or hear it.

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't think you were rude. Many people in doctor's offices do not want to make small chat/chit chat in the waiting room.

If your phone was beeping while you were talking - then maybe it was irritating her. But really - you weren't talking on it. So I wouldn't worry about it.

She might have been having a bad day and was hoping that someone would talk to her so she could vent...

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L.D.

answers from Modesto on

Sounds like she's the type of person who resists technology. You know the kind of people who don't have cell phones, computer/internet, DVR's, VCR's or even answering machines. You were well within ettiquite (sp?) standards for todays technology. It's her problem, not yours. Don't give it another thought.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't think that was rude. Unless you were tapping furiously. I know soem folks with blackberries who sound like they are using a typewriter. Or maybe you were too close to her? How many people "spaces" were in between you. Maybe you have way different personal space issues. That's all I can think of. More likely she was annoyed her Mom's appointment was taking so long.

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