Random Rant: Put Your Phone Down. Make Eye Contact. Say Please And Thank You

photo courtesy of Little Things

Earlier today, Lisa and I picked up a few things at the grocery store. We were waiting in line. The woman in front of us unloaded her groceries. The cashier greeted her and asked if she had any coupons. Without looking up from her phone, the woman in front of us said, "No." That was it. For the entire duration of the transaction, the woman didn't look up from her phone until it was time to whisk her cart away filled with bagged groceries.

I stood there shaking my head. Muttering under my breath. It took everything I had not to say something to her or purposely bump into her so she'd drop her phone.

Oops.

When it was our turn to be waited on, we sparked up a fun conversation with the cashier. We joked around and laughed. For us, that's nothing new.

Whether we're at the counter ordering a coffee or checking out at the grocery store or Kohl's, we ALWAYS greet the customer service associate, initiate conversation, say please and thank you, and, at the end of the transaction, bid them a good day, evening, or weekend.

Most of the time, the sales associates are receptive and grateful for the interaction.

Once in a blue moon, we do come across a cashier who probably should not be working in the field of customer service. 

After dinner, while scrolling through my social media feeds, I stumbled on an article about a man who's taking action against rude customers. Austin Simms, of Roanoke, Virginia, thought some of his customers could use a little help with their manners and that came in the form of charging extra for those who lacked in the manners department.

Standing. Ovation. 

I think this is a brilliant idea.

Of course, like with anything, there could be legalities surrounding this, repercussions, lost business, and a few arguments, but it's still brilliant.

Here's the deal.

If you don't want to pay $5.00 for a small coffee, put your phone down for 2 minutes.

Unless it's a life threatening emergency, which I'm guessing it's not because you're standing in line for coffee, you can survive a few minutes away from your phone.

Make eye contact. Greet the person who's waiting on you. Spark a conversation. Joke around. Say please and thank you. Bid them a good day or evening or weekend.

If you can't do that, fine. Have fun paying a ridiculous amount for a small cup of coffee.

It's that simple.

The world won't crumble if you ignore your phone for 5 minutes or engage in a pleasant conversation with the person making your coffee. Trust me. I keep mine in the car or my purse and I've lived to tell.

We live in the digital age. Modern technology is replacing a lot of stuff.

Manners isn't one of them.

There is no app for manners.

There is no app that will replace being kind to the person making your coffee or cashing you out at the grocery store.

Don't be an asshole.

Put your phone down. Make eye contact. And, at the very least, say please and thank you.