Ah, yes, the annoying cell phone user

There are some things that just irritate the hell out of me. Like when people use the word "heart" to replace the word "love" when in reference to something they care about. (i.e. - I "heart" whatever it is that is not important enough to warrant the word "love") Or when someone uses the word "irregardless." (No such word!) Or really damn slow drivers in the left lane of the freeway. And what prompted this post, people who use cell phones in very inappropriate places. In this case, restaurants.

Since I've been waiting tables since I was about 5 (alright, more like 17), I've had the pleasure of observing this irritation on an almost daily basis. For the past few weeks in particular, a woman has been frequenting the little pizza shop I work at. She comes in for lunch at our busiest time, while on her cell phone. She proceeds to seat herself at a table and continue the conversation she started outside. I'll approach her, hand her a menu, at which point she'll "shoo" me away. "Shoo" me away. She obviously does not know who she's dealing with.

Several minutes later, she'll wave me back over to her, tell me that she wants a water with lemon, but not too much lemon, a spinach wrap rolled very tightly with extra pesto may, but not too much extra pesto mayo. She then tells me to be "fast" about it because she only has an hour for lunch. These orders are barked at me intermittently, because she is of course on her cell phone with someone that must be really important. She then proceeds to make a dozen other phone calls during lunch, in order to disturb everyone else around her and ruin their lunches also. I squeeze every last lemon we have into her water and use the world's supply of pesto mayo on her wrap to prove my point that I did not understand anything she told me.

Granted, this woman is just a bitch and the fact that she's on her cell phone while being a bitch may just be a mere coincidence. However, I find that people are getting less and less patient with cell phone talkers. I was in line the other day at another restaurant, waiting to pick up an order. The guy in front of me was on his cell phone and not paying attention to the cashier. The cashier proceeded to ignore him, and helped me instead. He immediately put his cell phone down and said, "Hey, I was here first." The cashier looked directly at him and said that she would help him as soon as he stopped talking on his cell phone. Needless to say, the guy left. Talk with anyone in the service industry though. You're less likely to be helped, whether it be a restaurant, a clothing store, the bank, etc., if you're on a cell phone.

There's been so much uproar about the anti-smoking ban that was recently put into action here in Jersey. I've already seen what's going to happen. People suck it up, and go outside to smoke. Colorado's had the ban in place since the end of winter. But I say we have an anti-cellphone ban. I guarantee it would get much more support. And, yes, some phone calls are very important and have to be taken. Go outside. The smokers want some company.

Why talk on your cell phone during your lunch hour anyway? Isn't it supposed to be your lunch "break?" Stop kissing Mr. no-so-important's ass and talk to your colleagues that are actually at the table with you.

God, I must be getting old. Look how long I can rant for.