One-person lines will be a repetitive nightmare for linetalkers.
"Go to the back of the line please."
"Bu-"
"Thank you. Go to the back of the line please."
"I-"
"Thank you. Go to the back of the line please."
"Fu-"
"Thank you. Go to the back of the line please."

Great idea. B/c when they get the order wrong and it has to get remade, it takes up my time. The only time I advocate cell phone use when ordering is if you go somewhere that has transient availability of products, like a pizza place which has different pies everyday. Otherwise, I write down everyone's orders, and read them off. Send em to the back of the line.

I LOVE THAT SIGN!

and apologize up front for the caps and exclamation point.

Good job Subway! I hate when the person in line in front of me (at any place) is making it take longer for the cashier/sandwich maker/whoever to complete their order because they can't stay off their cell phone for 2 minutes.

Its also just common courtesy. If you're conducting business with someone, even if just order a sandwich or paying for groceries - be decent and respectful enough to acknowledge them...

I wish more businesses would do this.

I completely agree. People who talk on their phones while conducting a transaction slow down the line for everyone, are being discourteous, and run the risk of not catching errors. I've seen people come back after they are done because something went wrong with their transaction, which they could have easily caught if they had been paying attention. That means that people already in line have to wait even longer, and it delays the people who work there further. I wish more places would enforce this kind of rule.

Is it a sad commentary that in the age we live in, adults have to be punished the same way we punish small children and cutters to behave correctly, and then they bitch about how unfair it is. Oh wait, kids do that as well... Hrmmmmmm

@Ghede: Ha reminds me of that airport scene in Meet the Parents.

It's really sad that people have to be reminded of common courtesy. Yeah, I know you have to tell mommy what beautiful new nail polish you get, etc, but no one should have to wait for you to get off the phone and employees shouldn't have to deal with the communication breakdowns that come with distracted patrons

When I used to be a cashier at various retail establishments (a long time ago), if I had a customer talking on their phone I would ask lots of questions really loudly and inturrupt their conversation as much as possible.

In a place like Subway you have to communicate with the sandwich-maker throughout the process, so not only are you holding up the line, but it's just plain rude.

Now, if a person in front of me in line is talking on their phone during their transaction I'll start up a conversation with the cashier about how rude it is to talk on your phone when being serviced by someone.

@Ghede: Thanks for the laugh! :D

I typically only stay on my phone if I'm listening to somebody rant. Then I can basically ignore them while I order. If I'm actually acknowledging them, and not holding up anything, I'll quickly tell them that I'm not causing a problem and they can make the damn sandwich or lose a customer.

Of course, for every rule that applies to everyone (read: EVERYONE) there are always a few difficult douches with an entitlement complex. Enforcing simple requests like this may be a needless headache

I love that! Is it really so hard to say: "hey, I'll call you back in a moment" or even, "would you mind holding on for a few seconds?" It's not like ordering a sandwich takes longer than 15 seconds.

I wish to God Almighty that we had sign at the credit union that I work at AS WELL AS the Subway on our little strip here...

Good for them. They should have more of these types of rules. The library at my former graduate college would take the next person in line if the other was on their cell. They were apparently busy and would be helped when they finished their business. It is also incredibly rude.

It's been ages since I was in a Subway, but I would much rather have a "no more than four subs per order" rule. There's nothing quite as frustrating as standing in line for 10 minutes waiting to grab a bite when the guy in front of you steps up to order and pulls out "the list" with each sub carefully customized for a dozen coworkers.

@sahhhm: For the extremely douche-y, it can take far longer!

I'm with Subway on this one. Talking on the phone while interacting with an employee who is trying to help you slow things down and is just blatantly rude.

@cmdrsass: Unfortunately, they're mutually exclusive. Sorry.

This reminds me of Gino's in philly, they will send you to the end of the line for not having your mind made up, talking on the cell phone, not knowing how to order, not speaking english. Its crazy. I was from out of town and I think they were about to send me to the back, but there was no one behind me.

Yep, go to the end of the line, if you can't be bothered to hang up your phone while you are communicating with someone making your food, then they shouldn't have to be bothered with trying to talk to you while you are ignoring them because you are on the phone. I hate worthless people that have no common courtesy.

I work in a special shop (not THAT sort of special shop!) where you have to read loads of information off the till screen to the customer, and it drives me crazy when some total goon who thinks they are more important than everyone one else in the queue (never mind me!) stands there talking and I just have to stand there like a lemon. Grrr.

I used to work at a bowling center at the counter setting up lanes and taking the customers' money. I can't tell you how many times and how frustrating it was to try to ask someone what size shoes, how many people, games etc. when they're on the phone. I'm not referring to talking on the phone with someone who is going to join them. That never bothered me. I'm referring to talking to their boyfriend/girlfriend/family/dog/etc. it is just plain rude. No one can serve your needs properly if you aren't paying attention and aren't talking to them. I would be polite and try to ask them what they needed, then try again, when they finally wouldn't get off the phone I would just say "I'll get back to your when you're done with the phone" and walk away and deal with the next person. This usually took care of it (amazing how people pay attention when they think they're being cheated out of their "turn") or they would be too involved in talking about whatever was SO important that they couldn't answer me after waiting an hour for a lane. Get off your phone people.

Yep go to the back of the line with your iPhone! It might be better for all of us if you actually left...HA!

@cmdrsass: Hey at least they were prepared enough to bring a list. but due to those folks, I've learned to order my sub in advance (before work) and just stick in the fridge. Of course I don't order hot sandwiches so...

But However talking on your phone while ordering is rude, which is the opposite of someone who will pick up food for others, those people are considerate.

As someone who has worked in a position like that (cashier at Trader Joe's), I totally understand. I was sorely tempted to simply wait until they remembered etiquette and put down the phone, but the line was always long and that would inconvenience other customers. I can't tell you how incredibly rude it is for someone to be talking away, *TOTALLY IGNORING* the person they should be talking to.

That sign would be a big draw for me to go to Subway, if their food weren't so damned awful.

@mikesfree: The Soup Natzi comes to Philly...

I actually approve of this policy, and would love to see something like that done nationwide. If you can't stop gabbing to your friends or family for a couple minutes, no, you don't get first priority.

Also I can't stand these fuckers in the aisles of stores that walk around talking on their bluetooth phone w/ earpiece. It freaks me out because I can't tell if they said something to me or themselves. Plus it's just plain rude. I don't need to hear you pretend to be so important.

I'm seeing a disturbing trend here. Can someone disagree and take up an opposing viewpoint? I'd like to see a flame war or something

I'm so over the cell phone/crack berry addicts who can't be disconnected for the minute or two it takes to complete a transaction at a store. I'm also done with those blue tooth addicts who wander the aisles and talk way to loud about personal business. The last time I was in Target I said really loudly to one of those blue tooth ladies, oh really your sister has herpes I'm so sorry to hear about her little problem.

Come on people, none of you are that important that you must always be talking or texting to someone else.

Maybe its time to bring back automats, and eliminate human interaction entirely.

@kaptainkk: Yeah like the time outside an ice cream store I saw a guy pacing back and forth and then just throw his head back cackling. Of course the earpiece was on the ear facing away from me. I decided not to make eye contact lest I get stabbed, but then I saw it

Go Subway! I completely agree with this. How hard is it to hang up your phone for the three minutes it takes them to make your sandwich and ring you up?

There's a similar sign at my local post office, only they request you not use your phone while in line... they don't make you get to the back if you're actually on it. Seems to work though.

This is an awesome idea.

Back when I first got a Cellular phone (back in 2000) it was for quick messages, and emergencies. I wish people treated them more like that. I still never talk more than 1-2 minutes on my cell phone, and I have no problem letting something go to Voice-mail if I am talking to someone (anyone).

My manager once told me "Never ever take a cell phone call when you are talking to someone. Leave your email and instant messages alone. If you stop it's telling the person you are talking to "this is more important than you..." no matter HOW politely you beg off". How true this is. I actually use this when speaking with someone that takes a call, and if it's more than a "hey can I call you back" I'm going to find someone/thing mor productive to do with my time.

Now there will always be exceptions. Your wife is past her due date? Your mother is in the hospital? by all means take that call.

@tenners: Yeah, because if you make a reasonable request then, to defend themselves, they're forced to rationalize and ultimately realize that it's an inconsiderate thing to do

The Subway by my house in New Orleans has the same sign. Corporate motivated?

If some of these relentless cell phone talkers were actually saying something worthwhile I guess I wouldn't mind.

If you can't stop talking on your cellphone, at least be advising a remote coworker how to defuse a bomb, complete that tricky heart surgery, or something of urgent importance.

To be behind someone in line and be subect to nonsense ".....and Becca totally wore those shorts that she thought were so totally cute, but were totally lame....." is an affront to all mankind.

My humble suggestion, when I hear these people who won't shut up, I simply turn to the person I'm with, or even the stranger behind me and start repeating the conversation. "Can you believe Becca did that?" "Those shorts were lame", etc.

While you will earn death-dagger stares from the cellphone abuser, it does get the message across that anything said in public, is well - public. About half the time, the offender actually ends the call.

You call them "line-talkers"... I call them "douche-bags."

Tomato / Potato

@allthatsevil: Were you the person I left at the airport with her mouth gaping wide open after I responded with "Don't you hate when people mind their own business? Was talking on the phone interfering with me paying? No? I thought so." after she tried to tell the salesgirl "Don't you hate it when people talk on their cell phones?"

Yeah, talking on the phone might not be the most polite thing during a transaction, but if it's not interfering or holding up the line and I ask the person I'm on the phone with to hold while I pay, smile and say thank you, then what does it matter?

Yaaaay Subway!

I like it when cashiers go around the cell phone talkers. Rude or thoughtless cell phone users are a real pain in the heinie. I can't tell you how many times I have been talking to someone (face to face!) and their phone rings and they answer it! I always say, "Don't you have voice mail?" or just walk away. Unless you're waiting on a kidney, freaking finish our conversation first! >:(

I went to see "The Dark Knight" on Friday and almost everyone around me had their phone out checking email, texting, etc. while waiting for the movie to start. I was really worried that they wouldn't shut up once it came on, but everyone did, so perhaps they are getting the message.

And yes, the movie was awesome! :D

@RabbitDinner: OMG Subway is interfering with my right to free speech! Screw you, Jared!

@SkokieGuy: That's a great idea. I'm going to try that next time! I can't wait to see the death-dagger stare...LOL!!

@SkokieGuy: "If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college."

@dianabanana: This post is about Subway, where you must give your instructions about the sandwich and answer questions as it is prepared. This process is slowed down when someone is using their cellphone.

And with ANY retail transaction, you don't know what the sales person may do or say (do you want a bag, please press 'credit' on the terminal, do you want a receipt, etc. etc.)your cell phone use may slow down the transaction as your attentions are divided. Only when the transaction is over will you be able to asses if your cellphone use was a hindrance.

And as I said in my previous post, if you're content carrying on a conversation in public, I am content to repeat what you say and potentially mock you. You have zero right or expectation of privacy when have a conversation in line in a public place.

@RabbitDinner: I don't think there is an opposing viewpoint, unless you're a "douche-bag."

Way to go Subway! Any small amount of business you lose over this (from some douchebags who can't be told how to act in public) will be more than made up for by the folks in line who remember to recommend your store, just for that.

/rant
And it's the same thing at the grocery. If you can't be bothered to be civil to the poor checkout person and interact with a few syllables (i.e., "Thanks") SHOVE THE PHONE UP YOUR ASS.
And maybe it will help you drivers too, I bet you would drive better with the phone UP YOUR ASS.
/rant off

@HogwartsAlum: i skip them all the time in the hospital! if my patient "in excruciating pain" and can't get off the line with the person she's giggling with, then i politely say "i'll bring back this pain medicine when you're finished" and leave the room. cell phones disappear for the rest of their stay EVERY TIME.

@RabbitDinner:

Not as big a deal as you'd think at most places. Pretty easy, in fact. Just start taking the order of the next person if the inconsiderate douche on a cell phone won't hang up and won't move to the back. Repeat as necessary.