Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for October 05, 2010

That would be a waste of expensive coffee. The simplest way to handle it is to ask a simple question, such as, “Do you have an app for using that phone after it’s been shoved up your …”

She should have just made a formal complaint to the person in charge - most coffee shops want a peaceful atmosphere.

Doh! Don’t give in to the bullies!

That is totally me though. I never think of a “snappy” comeback until it’s too late. Ugh!

@lighten - me too! double ugh!

“Mind if sit closer to listen in, then? I’d love to hear the other person’s side of the conversation too.”

@tcayer

Do that and you can face “Uncle Charlie” (FCC) as it is a Federal Crime to block the public airways. I’m not saying I don’t sympathize but just think of the potential for malicious use.

I’d grab the Bas*ds Phone and say He’ll callya back, switch it off and ASK him politely to take his a$$ outside!

C’mon, guys! It’s not complicated! Just start asking him for more details about those private conversations and he’ll go away soon enough!

How about I meet you outside to discuss this matter!

I really miss phone booths!

“Would you mind moving outside? I’m trying to vampirically use the store’s wifi and occupy a table that would otherwise be occupied by customers for hours on end without an actual mug apparent on my table, unlike, say, the one on yours. Respect my righteous indignation! I am a serious businessperson without an office!”

How about “Dude - are you THAT oblivious to the people around you?”

I like to start answering peoples’ questions when they’re speaking loud enough on their cell phones to be heard clearly. It really makes things nutty when they’re in the bathroom and I’m in the next stall. They usually shut up really quickly.

dlauthor she has a mug in her hand when she was speaking to him. Personally I would sit there and just blatantly listen, that usually gets the person to move, as they cant stop you. Works on buses trains and other locations too.

That guy is a douchebag! He will get his!

Yeah, join in on the conversations! Give opinions!

Snappy comeback: “no” and stare at him like teachers did to the disruptive boys in the back row (patiently waiting for them to shut up…similar to the “mom” look)

Ok not so snappy but better than wasting a hot drink on a ignoramus and possibly preventing a physical confrontation. A little woman firmly speaking up can disarm these dudes and they just don’t know what to say or do.

@MisngNOLA – That’s awesome! I don’t usually spend much time in coffee shops, but I might do so today just to try that out! Love it! :)

I will have to try this the next time I take a bus.

guy next to me at Starbucks last week was watching a movie with the volume up & without headphones! i was flabbergasted.

Thirdguy… I actually saw a phone booth the other day, but there was no phone in it!

What’s the difference to sitting with someone and talking loudly, and talking over the phone? You gonna ask anyone who annoys you to move to a different table? Give me a break! What about that table with the baby crying? Or the table with the kids laughing and making noise? You want a quiet place for coffee? Stay home!

Snappy comeback: “just because I’m the only one to actually say so, doesn’t mean you’re not the one annoying the heck out of everyone here”.

2catsintheyard, that seems to be the state of things today, but what I really want to know, is, did life used to be SO hard?

well, the spam is back - but not for long, heh heh, i flagged it.

and as for today’s little problem, the real problem is a lack of manners, of consideration for others.

their mothers’ fault, of course - they ought to have taught their children better.

take his phone and drop it in his coffee.

Some time ago hubby, daughter and I where at this buffet resturant, Offender my daughter, offended older couple, we apoligize to them told our daughter others where listening, didn’t bother her and her conversations where clean. I have notice lately people with cell phones going where it is quiter. Maybe Joan should have started talking louder to annoy that guy.

To be honest, I can’t hear most of the time on my cell phone when there’s noise about so I instinctively move someplace where there aren’t a lot of other people around making noise of any kind.

Take his phone and stomp on it! People need to learn!

Take his phone and then say “Sorry, I have mental issues with myself.” and THEN stomp on it.