Open Letter: To the Person on the Phone While at the Checkout

What goes through your mind when a person is talking on their phone while also attempting to checkout from a store? Does it bother you? Because it should.

We live in a busy world, but that doesn't mean you have to be rude to the person at the checkout line, who you're putting in an awkward position.

Recently I was at a Sioux Falls Drug Store in the mid-afternoon. The line was getting quite backed up, but those waiting in line were understanding and politely waiting for the line to move. Except for one exceptionally loud gentleman that is.

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The man in question was clearly on some sort of "important" business call. In fact, the call was so important that he wasn't even acknowledging the cashier's existence. The cashier patiently had a question for the man, which he repeatedly did not answer, as he was too busy talking about quarterly projections. Eventually, the man spoke saying "I'm really busy, can you just put it all on my card?"

This lack of compassion for your fellow citizens is a big problem in the world today. People like this man are pretty narcissistic in thinking that whatever they have going on is more important than everyone else around them.

Let me be clear: I have no problem with a person taking or making a call while at the store. But when your call is obstructing someone from doing their job, while making everyone else wait longer, you're just being a selfish person.