Cellphone Etiquette during Lunch and Dinners

[worth]

Just because cell phones have become an integral part of our lives doesn't mean ettiquette goes out the window.

Be respectful to the people you are with. You are with them to spend time with them. You can spend time on your phone when you're slobbin out on your couch and there's no body around.

The Japanese excell at this. You will hardle see a cell phone in public, and it is extremly rare to see someone talking on their phone in public. The Japanese culture is one that is just as integrated with their digital devices as ours is, maybe even more, but they somehow have managed to be polite.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

This is exactly why when I go out to eat with people I turn my ringer off (or more aptly I forget to turn my ringer off and do so after the first notification)

It's not that we're all addicted to our phones, we're addicted to being told "I have information for you" and then needed to know what that information is regardless of how mundane.

[malcolmk14]

I think it depends. If I'm out with really good friends and we see each other all the time, who gives a #### if someone pulls out their phone and sends a text message or whatever. If I'm having dinner with my girlfriend in a non-romantic setting (ie. not an anniversary or birthday or romantic date) and someone calls her, I couldn't care less if she answers it and excuses herself or hits the ignore button.

I can see it being pretty annoying if it's someone you don't see very often or if it's an early date (ie. first, second, third) with someone. Other than that, it really doesn't bother me, I don't even think about it most of the time.

Maybe my friends just don't pull their phones out as often as yours do.

[MelBridgeman]

ah you poor ####

hehe

[HotHotHeat]

Does it really bother people that someone sends a text during a meal? Having your head buried in a screen while you're out with people is not good, but why do we need to cut ourselves off from the world when we have a burger in front of us?

[Nuje]

Definitely depends on setting, place, etc. I certainly think if you're out for lunch with the co-workers, pub with friends, then whatever. That's more of an impromptu outing, and who knows, someone might have something important going on which explains them staying connected. That said, if I'm out with one person for dinner, the only time I might pull out my phone is to shut off the ringer if I hear/feel the vibrate once.

If you just instinctively grab your phone and read/answer it whatever it is, just ignore it next time. Try it, you'll like it. I actually enjoy when I forget my phone when I go somewhere.

[Slava]

I think that answering calls and texting is pretty ignorant for the most part. It does depend on the setting, and sometimes it can't be avoided, but for the most part it's just rude.

I thought that some restaurants were going to put things in to block signals and such? I think that would be great. I'm not talking about little cafes and things like that, but places where people are eating a decent dinner I would definitely be in favor.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

We live in an age now where cellphones/PDA's are a fact of life. People just gotta get used to it.

People sometimes get disgusted by my PDA, so I try to limit how much I do it.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think that answering calls and texting is pretty ignorant for the most part. It does depend on the setting, and sometimes it can't be avoided, but for the most part it's just rude.

I thought that some restaurants were going to put things in to block signals and such? I think that would be great. I'm not talking about little cafes and things like that, but places where people are eating a decent dinner I would definitely be in favor.

On one hand, I can see how it's annoying when some people stay glued to their phones. I went for a steak a couple weeks ago with a buddy and he was in a fight with his woman, and the sumbitch spent the whole meal texting her. TBQH, I could have eaten the same food and drinks at home for a lot cheaper, so without the company of my friend, why was I paying to eat there? He really deserved a punch in the balls that night.

On the other hand, are you kidding me? Blocking a cell signal? I wont eat there if it's impossible to receive that one call that I must answer when it rings.

[SeeBass]

There was a time when calling somebodies house during the dinner hour was considered rude yet alone talking at the table on a phone.

I guess some people just have to see the new pic of their friend planking.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Does it really bother people that someone sends a text during a meal? Having your head buried in a screen while you're out with people is not good, but why do we need to cut ourselves off from the world when we have a burger in front of us?

Turning your phone off for 40 minutes while out for a social meal is "cutting yourself off from the world"? You're not that important. Really.

Cellphones are a scourge.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by 4X4

On one hand, I can see how it's annoying when some people stay glued to their phones. I went for a steak a couple weeks ago with a buddy and he was in a fight with his woman, and the sumbitch spent the whole meal texting her. TBQH, I could have eaten the same food and drinks at home for a lot cheaper, so without the company of my friend, why was I paying to eat there? He really deserved a punch in the balls that night.

On the other hand, are you kidding me? Blocking a cell signal? I wont eat there if it's impossible to receive that one call that I must answer when it rings.

I get what you're saying...but seriously how many calls are that important? Unless you have a lot of drama in your life or ultra demanding employment you can probably just enjoy the meal and relax?

Like I say, I'm not talking about a place like McDonalds where they offer free wifi or whatever (although I think it's just as rude to do to your friends in places like that). I'm talking about decent restaurants where people shouldn't be talking on the phone to begin with (IMO).

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by habernac

Turning your phone off for 40 minutes while out for a social meal is "cutting yourself off from the world"? You're not that important. Really.

Cellphones are a scourge.

thats your opinion and if you want to turn your phone off, go right ahead.

i just dont understand the holier then thou attitudes as if denouncing "cell" phones makes someone more refined or something.

i fail to see the connection between 'scourge" and smartphones.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Slava

I get what you're saying...but seriously how many calls are that important? Unless you have a lot of drama in your life or ultra demanding employment you can probably just enjoy the meal and relax?

You're totally right that most calls can go unanswered... But how about a few months ago? Back during the election? Perhaps you might have been more inclined to answer your phone? Everyone has things going on from time to time that are important enough that they warrant answering the phone, especially now that it's almost socially acceptable.

What blows my mind more than blatant disrespect of friends is blatant disrespect of strangers. Really? You can't hang up your phone for 30 seconds to talk to the bank teller? You long nailed bitch. (not you Slava)

[habernac]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

thats your opinion and if you want to turn your phone off, go right ahead.

i just dont understand the holier then thou attitudes as if denouncing "cell" phones makes someone more refined or something.

i fail to see the connection between 'scourge" and smartphones.

There's a time and a place for them. Dinner time isn't one of them.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You're totally right that most calls can go unanswered... But how about a few months ago? Back during the election? Perhaps you might have been more inclined to answer your phone? Everyone has things going on from time to time that are important enough that they warrant answering the phone, especially now that it's almost socially acceptable.

What blows my mind more than blatant disrespect of friends is blatant disrespect of strangers. Really? You can't hang up your phone for 30 seconds to talk to the bank teller? You long nailed bitch. (not you Slava)

That used to drive me nuts years ago when I worked at a counter speaking to customers. I'd skip them and go to the next one if they were on their phones. When I'm important enough for you to actually pay attention to, I'll help you out.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by 4X4

What blows my mind more than blatant disrespect of friends is blatant disrespect of strangers. Really? You can't hang up your phone for 30 seconds to talk to the bank teller? You long nailed bitch. (not you Slava)

Slava does have long nails.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

thats your opinion and if you want to turn your phone off, go right ahead.

i just dont understand the holier then thou attitudes as if denouncing "cell" phones makes someone more refined or something.

i fail to see the connection between 'scourge" and smartphones.

Holy. you must be a barrel of laughs at Whitespot every week.

I love cellphones. I couldn't live without mine.

I don't care if people check once in a while. I do, but if i'm eating with someone not in a fast food joint i would appreciate it if they wouldn't be staring at their phone every 3 minutes.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by Slava

I get what you're saying...but seriously how many calls are that important? Unless you have a lot of drama in your life or ultra demanding employment you can probably just enjoy the meal and relax?

Like I say, I'm not talking about a place like McDonalds where they offer free wifi or whatever (although I think it's just as rude to do to your friends in places like that). I'm talking about decent restaurants where people shouldn't be talking on the phone to begin with (IMO).

So what happens if there's an emergency, or you work at a job where you're on call?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Yasa

So what happens if there's an emergency, or you work at a job where you're on call?

Then you have an excuse obviously.