Is a Broken iPhone Screen Unprofessional/Embarrassing? (Does it Depend on Factors?)

[Radiating]

Here's what most people will think:

First time seeing a broken phone:

On no a broken phone poor guy!

After 1 week: man this guy sure takes his time to get stuff done probably not very reliable

After 2 weeks: seriously it's been two weeks and he can't afford $90 to fix it? How lame is this guy?

 

[Jalopybox]

Brother in law cracked his iphone front screen 6 months ago. Every time I saw him it was worse-more glass missing. It was all but unusable. He kept saying he was too busy to go to the Apple store. 3 months ago he dropped it again, back glass shattered. Everyone kept asking him why he has not gotten it fixed. He always replied " yeah, I gotta fix it. Been busy. No appointments available." He finally got it fixed. Around the same time my sister kicked him out. Said he never paid attention to her or the kids. Procrastinated with everything. Neglected so many things in their lives she couldn't take it.

In this case and many cases its a reflection of your personality. Too busy is bs and really means I don't care.

 

[harcosparky]

In this case and many cases its a reflection of your personality. Too busy is bs and really means I don't care.

I agree, it shows a lack of self respect for his property and himself.

If he doesn't respect himself or his own property, how can he be expected to respect anyone else or their property?

 

[Beenblacklisted]

also it means you didnt spend an extra 30 dollars for a good case. Well worth the investment, id much rather spend 30 dollars on a strong case than chuck out 70 dollars for the screen and 2 hrs to fix it all

 

[wxman2003]

Your boss won't care. He/she will have more important things to worry about. However, your associates may find it funny, or think of you as a clutz or something else. You don't want to be the joke on day 1.

 

[Minhimalism]

also it means you didnt spend an extra 30 dollars for a good case. Well worth the investment, id much rather spend 30 dollars on a strong case than chuck out 70 dollars for the screen and 2 hrs to fix it all

Phones can still crack in their case, you know that right? I'm seriously tired of people getting on other people's ass because they choose to use the phone AS IT WAS DESIGNED. It's absurd how that's apparently a crime now.

 

[babycake]

In a day to day context, I don't think people really mind it but I think it's unprofessional to have a cracked iphone and I think it's relatively inexpensive to change the glass. ANYWHO, for example you're a school administrator who's reprimanding an ambassador's kid for something he did in class. If you have a meeting with the person and somehow the parent sees the phone they're going to think "how trashy, can't even afford to fix his phone" and make them make assumptions about how ghetto your school is and it's faculty. When you get into a high power position, looks matter; you have to tie your tie right, wear the right glasses, have the right type of skin, and have a nice phone.

 

[Myiphone7]

It depends who it is. I mean if a financial advisor pulls out a phone with the screen shattered and its like a 3G I'd be turned off.

But if the guy working at walmart pulls it out while checkin me out in line I would feel sorry for him.

 

[Shrink]

Seriously...WTF?!

Definitely have to go along with this ^^^^

If one's phone actually matters in professional situations...things are even worse than I thought.

And I'm a nasty misanthrope already!

 

[Mrbobb]

Using any broken tool/gear is unprofessional.

If you are interviewing for an accountant job, a super-fancy phone may say, "this guy is not gonna watch OUR money!"

Situation? as mentioned by several, is YOU who are going to make impression, not whatever gadget u may carry. If the gadget is speaking for you, then you are not even trying to to let your positive personality to come through.

For a few years (gasp!) a few people commented about my dumb flip phone when everybody else seemed to have switched to smartphones. I just told them "you KNOW how low my phone bill is?" and they shut up. Turn a negative into a positive.

 

[Ta0jin]

Just wondering really. I have an iPhone 4 and my crack isn't too bad but seeing as i'm graduating from university and going into the work force I'm thinking i'd rather replace the iPhone 4 screen itself as opposed to getting the new 5S; my 4 still works pretty well. Just changed the battery too a few days ago. Easier than expected.

Just get the screen replaced on your 4, it's not that expensive.

 

[TyPod]

I'd think, "Aww, they dropped their phone, that's unlucky"

And not much else.

Same. It may look a little unprofessional but I don't take it personally on the people with broken screens. They are expensive!

 

[boltjames]

I like a girl with with a cracked iPhone screen because I know she'll have sex with me for $50.

BJ

 

[awegew]

When someone busts out their iPhone and say the screen is cracked...do you think it looks bad, or does it depend on many factors such as how old the individual is, context such as profession i.e. student vs. lawyer, etc. What about the degree of the cracked screen? Say if it has a minor hairline on one of the bottom corners vs. a totally destroyed screen with the screen protector still somehow holding it all together..

Just wondering really. I have an iPhone 4 and my crack isn't too bad but seeing as i'm graduating from university and going into the work force I'm thinking i'd rather replace the iPhone 4 screen itself as opposed to getting the new 5S; my 4 still works pretty well. Just changed the battery too a few days ago. Easier than expected.

I'm in the workforce. Nobody of any consequence is going to care about your phone. I can't think of a single time when almost any customer has seen the screen of my phone. Quite likely, when you get a job, they'll provide you with a device.

You just spent 4 years and a lot of money on school. Nobody is expecting you to pull up in a 5 series with a bespoke suit and a jewel encrusted iPhone 5.

also it means you didnt spend an extra 30 dollars for a good case. Well worth the investment, id much rather spend 30 dollars on a strong case than chuck out 70 dollars for the screen and 2 hrs to fix it all

Said the person with either doesn't have to wear a suit or likes to have a Batman like utility belt.

 

[wordoflife]

Just a suggestion. Get a good quality screen. I thought they were all the same but my friend's screen definitely was not retina quality as you could see streaks of lines and it was washed out. Recently it started flickering like a broken tube light and its annoying to use.

Just spend the extra money for a better quality screen.

 

[lordofthereef]

Actually, no.

But would you turn up to a job interview in a crashed-up car? Probably not.

Honest answer? If the car was safe to drive, I probably would. There are very few professional businesses where anyone interviewing you is actually going to see you pulling up in your car. It would either have to be a really small business or something with super right security.

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Said the person with either doesn't have to wear a suit or likes to have a Batman like utility belt.

I'm not sure I understand you. Why would wearing a suit bar someone from using a case. At the same time, why would using a case imply it is attached to te belt?

 

[AFDoc]

"DITTO" Some of the questions that are asked on this forum are just plain silly

Some might say down right stupid, I won't but I know some would.

OP, is this really the type of thing that fills your mind and your time?

 

[ucfgrad93]

If someone is pulling out a smartphone with a broken screen, I feel bad for them, both for having such bad luck and for not being able to get it fixed.

Other than that, it's not really a concern to me, though don't expect to use your busted phone and risk cutting my fingers on it.

I feel the same. It isn't a big deal.

 

[JohnLT13]

If one can afford an iPhone, you would figure they could afford to get it fixed. Broken screens look shabby IMO.

 

[Smartass]

i've had a cracked screen for almost a year now, doesnt bother me at all and still works great. Plus, it really isnt worth fixing it since i got the 4 and new screen costs almost the same as the whole phone is worth.

 

[JAT]

Some might say down right stupid, I won't but I know some would.

OP, is this really the type of thing that fills your mind and your time?

I don't understand this mindset. This is not a stupid question, it is from someone about to enter the professional workforce. You can either learn from asking 'stupid' questions or by fire.

Also, it is an interesting debate on attitudes.

My answer is your demeanor is more important. You can play off any imperfection when done properly. What if your phone drops and breaks on the way into the building? Confidence is most important.

 

[noisycats]

No body except visitors of internet forums care about what kind of phone you own or what condition it is in.

One day, you won't either. As long as it works for you.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Judging by the responses here, the moral of the story is, "You can't be sure how anyone else will react, to anything." With all myriad ways people judge others (and seek to make them insecure), I suspect you have several traits that are much more likely to hurt your prospects and relationships than a cracked screen ever could.

For a job interview? I don't think anyone asks to see your cell phone in the course of an interview, unless, perhaps, the phone is a condition of employment, "Successful applicant must have iPhone 4 or above, in good physical and working condition, current version of iOS installed." Even Apple doesn't ask for that.

More important? Put the ringer on silent, put it in Do Not Disturb, turn the bloody thing off altogether... interruptions are way more likely to sink your ship. If you have to take it out to set an appointment? As long as the screen is facing you, it's unlikely the interviewer will catch a glimpse.

Now, being insecure/self-conscious is rarely a plus in an new situation. So... if that cracked screen embarrasses you? Fix it.

But bottom line? DON'T CUT YOUR FINGERS! Is it likely you're going to badly injure yourself? Who knows. But the cost of an emergency room visit could well be more costly than a new screen.

 

[IlliniGuy76]

Hilarious that some of you actually posted saying it looks unprofessional!

People... It's a CELL PHONE. That's all it is - a CELL PHONE. Not something you're wearing, or a lie on a resume.. a CELL PHONE.

It doesn't look unprofessional at all. It just means you broke your phone and haven't gotten fixed yet or don't plan on doing it.

Just because some of you treat your iPhone like a newborn doesn't mean that others would immediately get it fixed if something like that happened.

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I agree, it shows a lack of self respect for his property and himself.

If he doesn't respect himself or his own property, how can he be expected to respect anyone else or their property?

Because, perhaps, the phone accidentally cracked and that person simply doesn't treat their iPhone like a child and doesn't want to pay the cash to get it fixed?

Novel concept, I know.

 

[eyespii]

Ignore the ones saying that this was a dumb question. This is a very legit question. Yes, it's unprofessional. If you're a fresh hire out of law school, the interviewing manager will likely understand that you're poor and make nothing of it. However, once you're hired, clients dont care about your student loans, and may make an assumption that you're sloppy, or that you don't make enough to fix it.

At a certain point and in certain professions, appearances make just as big of an impact as how competent you are. If you present yourself as successful, I'm more likely to assume that you're good at what you do. Someone that is good at what they do will make more money - and that person is likely more able to spend the money to repair or replace his broken phone screen.