I answer call bells as soon as I am free. For some reason (I think it is called good service) I hate seeing that blue light on the MCL (which is what we call it).
Having said that if I am busy and other crew members do not answer it I do finish what I am doing (ie. clearing away lose items in the galley) before going to get the call bell.
The noise of them really gets me worked up if like five go off within say two minutes... I don't let it show to the pax (coz I am there to give them drinks - second only to safety...) but the noise I find really grating! Does anybody else find that sound annoying?
Does sound like the FA in your case was a bit over it.... Making excuses is hardly appropriate too.