Yer jokin' ...
Way back when the last millennium was waning, mobile phones were a small housebrick with an antennae attached and looked for all the world like a remote controlled detonator.

I was working in a coffee shop at the time. One day, a jumped up, peach fuzzed sharp suit walked into the shop loudly talking about his portfolio on his brand new, social status enhancing item.

He swaggered about a bit whilst ordering a cappuccino with leery exaggerated sign language.

His phone rang.

He burst into flames, paid for his coffee and fled.
(Que?, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 5:27, 5 replies)

Brilliant...

I had a twattish boss that used to do something similar. He would walk around all day, avoiding any problems / work by 'constantly being on his phone', hence too busy to help anybody.

One day, a chap approached him to ask a question, and was greeted with tthe usual response - as you say, of exaggerated sign language to indicate he couldn't be disturbed as he was in an important call.

With the phone pressed to his ear, and his finger on his lips to 'shush' everyone in the vacinity, his phone started to ring. The shock of this made him drop it.

You'll be quite staggered to hear that he was sacked soon after.
(Mr Twisty Cheeky The worst kept secret in B3ta..., Thu 19 Apr 2012, 8:58, closed)

I do indeed, like this :)

(SpangoTheWonderBadger is brewing beer, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 10:26, closed)

An interesting variant on an old urban legend
Snopes includes a 1920 version.

www.snopes.com/embarrass/business/fakephone.asp
(ubergeekian, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 11:34, closed)

I like, my many moons ago ex telling me her version.

Rome, late 90's, mobile phones are becoming available, indeed 'must have' status symbol in the city, but significantly expensive. On a bus a chap was loudly speaking into his phone making it clear he was indeed of wealth to afford such a luxury. When some old dear decides to have a heart attack, break and arm or have a stroke. Emergency, panic, mayhem - but hey, this young man can summon help. But alas no, for our loud mouthed twat was not only pretending to have a conversation, his phone was also pretend - a shop dummy by all accounts.

She swears it was true! Twats
(feedingtimeatthezoo day 1 of his bikini diet started, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:50, closed)

just read the snopes version... great how this went across the pond. same sort of period too! the article dates 1996 - ex's story would have been 1997/8.
(feedingtimeatthezoo day 1 of his bikini diet started, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 12:54, closed)