Would it be out of line for a cashier to ask a customer who they were ringing up to get off their cell phone?

Asked by nayeight (3353) August 27th, 2009 from iPhone

I was watching Oprah and todays show was about rudeness and people being inconsiderate to others. It was mentioned many times that the general public finds it rude when others talk on their cell phones while on the phone with others, at restaurants, and in the check-out line. I find it very difficult ringing someone up at the register when they are on their cell phone. Most of them don’t pay attention or even make direct eye contact while they are on the phone. I am required to ask for their phone number, e-mail, and pitch them a card but usually if their on the phone they just shake their head and loudly ask me what the total is while still having a conversation with someone else. I tell them the total and they throw their card or cash at me (or even worse frantically try to slide their card before they are supposed to). I bag their items, say something nice like “Thank you for shopping with us” and they just grab their crap and leave. It’s very frustrating and really pisses me off when people do this. I’ve always fantasized about politely asking someone to get off the phone while I’m ringing but I don’t really know if it’s appropriate or how to even go about it. What do you think? What would you do if a cashier asked you politely to get off the phone or contintue your conversation after you checked out? If you were a cashier how would you ask a customer to get off of their phone?