Funny, when I saw the title of the thread, I automatically assumed that it was about people playing with their phones during Davening.
I have never had an experience similar to yours, TM, but I certainly can agree with your point. It’s one thing if a person is simply trying to get change; it’s quite another when they are keeping busy. (For the record, it is very easy to tell the difference, so anyone pretending to get change every day can just stop – you are not fooling anyone except yourself).
CTL, I think the word “class” in your first post is what came across as a bit arrogant (although I don’t think that was your intention).
NeutEu, only those who suffer an inferiority complex are consumed with comparison.