Cell Phones and Comedy Clubs

[NOVA Lady]

Me and my SO went to see a comedy show tonight. We go often and love it, normal table convo doesn't bug us but tonight was different. There was a women next to us who was chatting on her cellphone for over 45 minutes and it was distracting. The comic who was headlinging could hear her (we were near the front) and said, "When we say turn your cell phones off we also mean don't talk on them during the show!" and she didn't get the hint.

My etiquette question... I desperately wanted to tun to her and say, "Could you please take your conversation outside I would like to hear the show?" but I didn't want to scold or be rude.  Calling a manager would have drawn a lot of attention because of where we were sitting and i didn't want to further distract the comic. And finally...what in the heck is wrong with people?

[kathrynne]

I'm amazed the comic didn't heckle the ... heck out of her!

Did your server come by at all during that time? That would have been a big help, I would think.

[Brentwood]

I think asking her to take her conversation outside so you could hear the show would have been perfectly acceptable.

[jais]

I've never understood why people PAY to see something and then yak on the phone the whole time.  I think asking her to please take the call outside would have been well within your rights.  I personally would have had a hard time being so polite about it.  Luckily, the comedy club I go to is in the basement of a building and nobody can get a signal! 

[IndianInlaw]

Jay Leno always goes over to the person and asks to talk to the other party.

[beakiebean]

We saw Henry Rollins doing his spoken word and some lady starts chatting on her cell up front. He went off-but in a very, very funny way. She was properly shamed and the rest of us loved it.

Becca

[TaylorMade]

My etiquette question... I desperately wanted to tun to her and say, "Could you please take your conversation outside I would like to hear the show?" but I didn't want to scold or be rude. 

You absolutely should have asked her to take her conversation outside.  By not letting her know you were bothered by her (as you had every right to be) she probably thought it was okay to be on the phone. (some people just don't get it)

A good "Would you please take your conversation outside so we may enjoy the show" said politely, would probably have allowed you to enjoy the show.  If she had said no, then you quickly get the attention of a cocktail waitress or take a couple seconds to go to the back of the room and alert an employee of the situation.

I truely belive that if you do not say something to people who are doing something they shouldn't be doing in the first place (like this situation) you are allowing them to ruin your evening.

[NOVA Lady]

Hey there Thanks for the replies. I agree wholehearetdly with the previous poster. I *should* have said something, because she'll just do it time after time.

Me and the SO actually had a wonderful time (delicious food, good drinks, laughter ) before and after her rivetting conversation (what sounded like an arguement with a significant other, she was a alone). But it was really very shocking the way she ignored the comic, well just turned her head away from him and put on her head set.

But you're right, if nothing is ever said to people they will never stop the obnoxious behavior.