No phone use

What does “no phone use” mean to you while at the doctors office? I recently went to a specialist and so many things rubbed me the wrong way but telling me not to look at my phone was just odd. I wasn’t talking or put on anything with sound. I just wanted to pass the time while waiting.

Re: No phone use

To me that would mean no talking on the phone and no loud notifications- like 100 dings back and forth as you text someone or loud game noises etc.

I would think to keep the phone on silent. But be able to browse the internet, etc


Was this in the waiting room or exam room?

No phone use

I would think it meant not to use your phone at all.

Re: No phone use

Is it prison? Or a doctor's office?

Re: No phone use

Re: No phone use

I get not talking on the phone, which is rude especially at a doctor's office. I also get not looking at it or playing with it while you are speaking with the nurse or doctor. I don't think it's an issue while in the waiting room or waiting in the exam room when by yourself to look at it. I do that all the time. I put it away the moment I need to and never make any calls.

Weird! Does it interfere with their equipment?

No phone use

It was in the exam room, I was filling out paperwork so didn’t have time to use in waiting room.
I didn’t ask since I didn’t want to start problems before I saw the doctor. I just said ok and put it away, it wasn’t anything important I was looking at so no reason to create a problem.
No it wouldn’t interfere with equipment.

I feel like all offices have a sign but I’m drawing a blank what they exactly say. I always pull out my phone to pass the time and first time someone said something to me, I found it odd.

Message edited 12/10/2018 10:52:49 AM.

Re: No phone use

No phone use

It was a dentist and the assistant came in.

Re: No phone use

Re: No phone use

No phone use

Everything was discussed and no conversation was going on with me and the assistant. She said there is no phone use and I just said ok and put it away. I didn’t want to have problems before they started working on me.

Re: No phone use

It could be she came in and saw you on it.
So maybe she just meant No phone calls or texting just in case you were about to.

She might have asked you to put it away before she knew what your next intentions would be. LOL

As long as she wasn't nasty about it....I guess just doing what she is told to say to patients.

Re: No phone use

I use my phone in waiting rooms so my blood pressure doesn't go through the roof waiting for them to eventually get to me!

If someone told me to put my phone away in the waiting room, I'd ask to see the doctor immediately. When they say no, then I'll say, "Then I'll be on my phone until then...."

I'm just sitting in the chair doing nothing. I understand the policy at the front desk. That's just rude being on the phone when you're supposed to be talking to someone.

Also, how am I supposed to fill out their endless paperwork if I can't look things up on my phone?

Re: No phone use

I've never noticed a sign like that, but I would think it meant no use at all. And since it's in the exam room, I'd guess it's because patients have tried looking at their phone during procedures or interrupted cleanings to answer a call. But, since they said something to you when it didn't seem to interrupt anything, maybe they have another reason.