I spent a long morning at the MLL at YHZ this morning, trying to get some work done. If I have a long layover, I usually try to grab a seat in the cell-phone-free area somewhere (not that it really matters in YHZ - its all pretty loud...). All morning there was a guy firmly planted on the corner seat, right next to the cell-phone-free area sign, talking quite loudly on his phone, and not short conversations - phone calls of 15-20 minutes, ranging over a variety of topics. Repeated dirty looks from several guests had no impact on his rude behaviour. Lounge staff just seemded to go about their business picking up dishes and cleaning tables without so much as word to him.
So my question is, who monitors this kind of behaviour? I don't think it should be my responsibility as a guest to enforce their rules. Thoughts?
1. Quiet zones are appreciated, valued, and not a joke at all.
2. They're easily enforced by you informing the offender of the rules. Dirty looks don't convey much other than "the dude over there is annoyed for some reason". Go over there and tell him.
1. Quiet zones are appreciated, valued, and not a joke at all.
2. They're easily enforced by you informing the offender of the rules. Dirty looks don't convey much other than "the dude over there is annoyed for some reason". Go over there and tell him.
+1
The only thing I'd add is to be polite while approaching the inconsiderate "loudy".
Programs: AC E75K HH:G National:E Fairmont:P SPG:G Amex:P
Posts: 1,118
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjclancy
2. They're easily enforced by you informing the offender of the rules. Dirty looks don't convey much other than "the dude over there is annoyed for some reason". Go over there and tell him.
That works with civil people, the fact they are ignoring the sign means they are not. So when they tell you get stuffed ? what next ? escalate to yelling ?
You can't do anything legally and frankly it's not even your place to enforce any rules, you are a guest as well.
The rule is not enforceable unless the owner of the facility enforces their rules.
The whole no cell zone thing is farce unless there is punishment for breaking the rules
Recently at the YYZ international MLL, we asked the concierge to remove a very large man who was sleeping across four chairs in the children's area. Certainly I did not want to get into that discussion myself, so I felt it was up to the staff to help us out.
You can simply ask the person at the front desk to tell the offender to stop, if you don't want to get into a discussion yourself.
The rule is not enforceable unless the owner of the facility enforces their rules.
The whole no cell zone thing is farce unless there is punishment for breaking the rules
Directly addressing the guy, interrupting his call, and asking why he's ignoring signage that everyone else is respecting is remarkably effective. It hasn't failed for me yet -- perhaps you could work on being a bit more assertive?
Programs: AC E75K HH:G National:E Fairmont:P SPG:G Amex:P
Posts: 1,118
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjclancy
Directly addressing the guy, interrupting his call, and asking why he's ignoring signage that everyone else is respecting is remarkably effective. It hasn't failed for me yet -- perhaps you could work on being a bit more assertive?
You know, you sound like someone who thinks he is tough ( on the Internet that happens)
A couple of other strategies, all of which have worked for me in the past:
Pick up a no cell phone sign and place it on the table in front of him. Pick up another. Pick up another.
Sit down beside him. Speak into cell phone in extremely loud voice (sometimes I use my real cell phone, sometimes my pretend cell phone. It depends how I feel on the day. Not sure which works better) "Hi Honey. Ya, I'm in the cell phone free zone. Ya, I know you're not supposed to use cell phones here. But it seems that the rules are suspended today. Ya, I know I'm talking really loudly and making it impossible for other people to relax. Ya, I guess I'm just that important"
Sit down beside him. Turn on my computer. Watch YouTube videos at full volume. When he asks you to be quiet, pretend not to hear
None of this is "pretending to be tough". I'm not tough. What's he going to do - attack me in the MLL? Lay in wait outside?
You know, you sound like someone who thinks he is tough ( on the Internet that happens)
Me I try not to pretend here or in real world
I'm gentle as a lamb. I ask nicely and cell phone blabbers respond to that. Try it sometime. I've succeeded in both MLLs and United Clubs.
You asked what would happen if they told me get stuffed? The whole lounge would hear our argument, and if the behavior was as annoying as you say the social pressure of a crowded lounge would be all the "tough guy" support I'd need.
All morning there was a guy firmly planted on the corner seat, right next to the cell-phone-free area sign, talking quite loudly on his phone, and not short conversations - phone calls of 15-20 minutes, ranging over a variety of topics. Repeated dirty looks from several guests had no impact on his rude behaviour.
This kind of behavior is the inevitable result of mothers who think it's evil to spank their kids. The Occupy Movement is another example.
Had this happen once....guy gave his cell number verbally to someone on the phone.
I turn off call display on my phone and call him from around the corner. He puts other caller on hold and answers...I tell him to move to a different area as he is in a quiet area.
His face looked like a dead relative had phoned him.
Quickly moved to a new area.
Had this happen once....guy gave his cell number verbally to someone on the phone.
I turn off call display on my phone and call him from around the corner. He puts other caller on hold and answers...I tell him to move to a different area as he is in a quiet area.
His face looked like a dead relative had phoned him.
Quickly moved to a new area.
