Back in the days of the Old West, some of the more civilized saloons and casinos would require patrons to "check their guns at the door" in order to avoid ugly conflicts.
These days, at local eatieries, one is more likely to see a conflict spring from one or more customers' need to carry on a (sometimes loud) conversation on their cell phone while others are trying to enjoy their meal.
What are you going to do, right? A cell phone is like an added appendage for most people.
But running counter to the "can't live without a connection" population is one restaurant in Los Angeles that is literally paying customers to keep their phones away from their meal, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Eva Restaurant in L.A. is offering diners a 5% discount on their bill if they dump their digital devices before being seated, according the L.A. Times.
Is this something that you'd like to see happen at any of the nice restaurants in Tewksbury? Or does the idea of ditching your phone during dinner start to make you twitch?
Steevo
1:17 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Oh the day when a conversation was between you and the person on the other end. Meaningful and worthy of just the two of you, period. How dare another be so presumptive to listen in.
We've changed. And there are a number of reasons going well beyond the cell phone.
Any restaurant making it a point to discourage cell phone usage will have my respect and most likely business (assuming the food is good). I immediately assume they have a respect and regard I understand.
Mary
9:44 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
What happened to the days of the telephone booth where you closed the door behind you and spoke to someone privately. You really aren't ewes dropping when a person on a cell phone talks loud enough for a room full of people to hear them. I for one don't want to hear what you are saying but it is next to impossible not to hear. I do think it is rude when you are in a restaurant when someone is talking about non issues (not an emergency call) and the whole room is privy to hearing it. I would commend any restaurant that gave a discount to those that shut off their cell phone. It would be the right thing if you did not turn off your phone to step out of the room and take your conversation outside.
Bob
11:09 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
I'm in!
billvill
12:51 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Talking on a cell phone in a restaurant says two things:
1.Look how important I am.
2.I don't give a crap about your privacy.
SD From T-Bury
1:36 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Can we extend that to texting while a guest in someone's home or when you are supposedly spending time with someone? Sometimes it feels like even when you're with someone these days, you're not really with them.
Mary
5:30 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
SD From T-Bury, I fully agree with you. My daughter is in another world while she is texting. I could talk to her and she is completely ignoring me. It is like talking to yourself. Another thing I have noticed is when people are sitting next to each other and are texting each other. This is rude and unacceptable.
Joe Casparius
3:10 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
I think restaurants and other public should charge the person using a cell phone an extra fee, instead of rewarding people not to use the phone.
TONY D
9:06 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I don't think turning it off is necessary. Especially if you are parents out for dinner and have a sitter watching your children. Or some other important call you may be expecting. If it rings, glance at it to see who it is. If important go to the lobby and answer the call. Otherwise don't answer it.