Restaurants Requesting No Cell Phones

[kaytieeldr]

I honestly don't think cell phone conversations are a huge deal at all, unless it's a silent place (e.g. a movie) or you have to yell into the phone (at that point you really do need to go somewhere more private). Other than those two scenarios, what's the difference to other diners/shoppers/queue-members if you're talking to a physical companion or a phone one?

"Have to" yell into the phone is, often, a misconception by the person yelling. Many, many people think the ONLY way they can be heard is to talk very loudly - something about the speaker not being near person's mouth. When you're talking to a physical companion, you're generally using your normal voice - so the conversation can be heard only within a couple of feet of the persons speaking. On a cell phone, really, some people talk so loudly they really seem not to NEED the cell phone - the person on the other end can likely hear them through the air.

I am paying for a service (i.e. my cell phone) and if I am allowed to use it in my current location (i.e. no policy against it) then I see no reason why a stranger should intervene. What makes your activity more important than mine? Why should my phone call even affect you at all? If

I'm not advocating the use of jammers, but if a call gets dropped nobody's paying for it, so if a call gets jammed nobody's paying for it either. Just as your call is important to you, MY enjoyment of whatever activity we're sharing is important to ME. What makes YOUR activity more important than MINE?

I don't have a huge problem with cell phones per se, I have a problem with cell phone users that don't know when to put the phone down.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also agree with you. I use my cell phone in public but do not speak any louder than what I would in a regular conversation.

Are you sure? Do you glance around while you're talking to notice if anybody's staring at you, or if conversation around you has stopped because your perception of your voice level is different from what bystanders sense?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Interesting... in searching for that Telecommunications Act, I also found this - albeit from a commercial site: "But the stiff penalty hasn't stopped proliferation of the devices, perhaps because the FCC has not held anyone accountable. According to one interview with Richard Welch, associate chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, no actions have been taken by the FCC because "nobody has complained." This isn't surprising considering people can't tell the difference between being jammed and simply having poor signal strength which comes and goes with the best of phones even under normal circumstances"

 

[Nie0214]

For a forum that "moral polices" more than any other I've been to, it's amazing to see how some things are glossed over.

Scenario: Someone talking "loudly" on their phone is disturbing you, so you use a jammer to stop their conversation. Now aren't you disturbing them? Why is your enjoyment more important than theirs? Why is theirs better than yours? Why do people even care about the next table over?

Interesting... in searching for that Telecommunications Act, I also found this - albeit from a commercial site: "But the stiff penalty hasn't stopped proliferation of the devices, perhaps because the FCC has not held anyone accountable. According to one interview with Richard Welch, associate chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, no actions have been taken by the FCC because "nobody has complained." This isn't surprising considering people can't tell the difference between being jammed and simply having poor signal strength which comes and goes with the best of phones even under normal circumstances"

So does that makes it okay or any less illegal?

 

[jctwizzer]

This has probably been covered, but has we all get the privilege of listening to othe people's phone coversations fairly frequently. Just curious, but have
you ever overheard one that was even remotely necessary, or significant?? I can't ever recall hearing anyone say anything other than mindless babbling.

 

[Nie0214]

This has probably been covered, but has we all get the privilege of listening to othe people's phone coversations fairly frequently. Just curious, but have
you ever overheard one that was even remotely necessary, or significant?? I can't ever recall hearing anyone say anything other than mindless babbling.

People don't have significant conversations at the table with a physical person 100% of the time either.

I know I tune people out pretty easily, so it's easy to overhear something obnoxious one minute and the next not even realize anyone in the entire restaurant is talking. Chances are you've overheard necessary conversations just as much as any other, but you just don't remember them because they didn't affect you in any way.

 

[ElizabethB]

Other than V&A, the Disney restaurants are absurdly noisy what with excited kids running all over, parents shouting at them to "get back here", moms saying to their little girls, "this dinner is costing a week's salary, you WILL enjoy it" (actually heard this one!), open kitchens with chefs shouting at each other and absolutely no mood music to soften any of this. I can't see how someone talking on a cell phone makes this cacophony any worse.

Does anyone want to tell me that someone talking on a cell phone at CG ruins the ambience? I don't think so! The ambience was over the first time someone posted on a website that CG has a good fireworks view. After that, it was literally, "all over but the shouting"!

 

[inkkognito]

Cellphone or no, I suppose that rudeness is rudeness no matter what...a cell just compounds it sometimes. If you really think about it, is it appropriate to talk repetitively about puking your guts and peeing like a racehorse in a restaurant where the tables are in close enough proximity that strangers who are trying to eat are forced to listen? It just so happened that the was woman being loud, too, since she was on a cell. But even if you removed that part of the equation, I think don't think it's appropriate to force a discussion of bodily functions on others. The cell just happened to increase her volume in this case, and if she didn't have it we wouldn't have had to listen as her family had abanadoned her prior to dessert...unless she engaged the server in conversation about it!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I also agree with you. I use my cell phone in public but do not speak any louder than what I would in a regular conversation. I think people get to concerned about what others are doing and that is what is really what ruins their experience. I can tell you if someone said something to me about my cell phone I would tell them in a not so polite way where they could stick it.

...... I agree with you. I also think others are just so concerned a lot of times because they are "nosey", and they are mad because they can't hear what is being said on the other end. I am not talking about the obnoxious users who shout into the phone, but I talk like I would in a normal conversation. I have learned to leave my phone in my car if I don't want to be bothered, after all, I lived most of my life without a cellphone and if I don't feel it is needed for an emergency I don't carry it. It is, however, my right to have it when I need it (not illegal to have it), so to all those who would ban phones in restaurants, I say "Back off!"

 

[Markstudy]

My all-time-favorite, is the guy working at McDonald's talking on his cell phone. This was back 5 years ago....when cell phone minutes cost more than he was making an hour.

I turned and looked at him (I was 35 at the time, and was running my own successful business)...and I thought to myself its time I buy a cell phone then I proceeded to wait 3 minutes (while he talked about nothing with his friend) before he could get back to his job and take my order

Funny how it seems, people with import calls to make, are the kind of people that turn off their phones at dinner and enjoy as much time away from the phone as possible..... yet the blabbers, are most likely the ones talking during your dinner or show about nothing important. Just to talk!

In the last 12 months I've had 4 important calls (business deals)...and no health emergencies in my family.

I wonder how many people couldn't really stay off their cell phone for 7 days? While on vacation? SOMETIMES, I THINK I"M JUST NOT AS IMPORTANT as some of these teenagers I see with a phone stuck to their head at Disney all day long LOL

 

[BriarRosie]

I don't have a huge problem with cell phones per se, I have a problem with cell phone users that don't know when to put the phone down.

And what the other people who said, "I don't see a problem" probably didn't notice that the people on the cell phones tend to be oblivious that they are talking VERY loudly at times.

A friend and I were at the quiet pool a few years back at Universal's Portofino hotel (gasp! Universal!), but it was anything but quiet. There were not many people there, but there was a lady on her cell phone who was so loud, we could hear her from across the pool area. I swear she was on the phone the entire time we were there, and it was less than relaxing to be there.

Even parents with screaming kids will usually remove the child from the dining room.

 

[FireDancer]

Interesting... in searching for that Telecommunications Act, I also found this - albeit from a commercial site: "But the stiff penalty hasn't stopped proliferation of the devices, perhaps because the FCC has not held anyone accountable. According to one interview with Richard Welch, associate chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, no actions have been taken by the FCC because "nobody has complained." This isn't surprising considering people can't tell the difference between being jammed and simply having poor signal strength which comes and goes with the best of phones even under normal circumstances"

You can buy cell phone jammers pretty easily. I believe you would have the right to jam signals in your home or business which provides the loop hole. The FCC has no right to tell a private company that they can’t use technology to enforce a no cell phone policy. There are also circumstances where you can use jamming technology to protect trade secrets. I know of software companies that jam WiFi and cellular signals in their offices to fight espionage. As I stated earlier, I am in I.T. and have been to demonstrations of cellular blocking technology ranging from special window films to microwave jammers. In my industry I know that there are companies that use these films and paints to keep customers off of phones in their lobbies. They don’t hide it. I'm not saying you should walk around with them in your backpack in public places but if you want to get a jammer they are easy to find.

 

[RMulieri]

...... I agree with you. I also think others are just so concerned a lot of times because they are "nosey", and they are mad because they can't hear what is being said on the other end. I am not talking about the obnoxious users who shout into the phone, but I talk like I would in a normal conversation. I have learned to leave my phone in my car if I don't want to be bothered, after all, I lived most of my life without a cellphone and if I don't feel it is needed for an emergency I don't carry it. It is, however, my right to have it when I need it (not illegal to have it), so to all those who would ban phones in restaurants, I say "Back off!"

Personally I could care less what the other person is talking about.I think it is rude and disrecpectful to blather on on a cell phone in a restaurant,movie,line at the grocery store,car(dangerous too) etc.There are some places phone conversations don't need to go.Believe it or not we did live lives before cell phones, and no major disaster befell us while eating dinner,getting a manicure,shopping for groceries etc. Like I said before if you are that worried about something horrible happening and you are not there keep it on vibrate and take your call outside.hell, I do this when my phone rings while getting an oil change on my car.

 

[RMulieri]

Here's one to make you all laugh....i work in a hospital and recently went to use a public restroom. I did my buisness and flushed the toilet.I then had a woman start screaming at me because she was on the cell phone and I flushed the toilet and she can't hear( she was on the phone while trying to do her buisness in the next stall) what her boyfriend is saying to her!

 

[noodleknitter]

Personally I could care less what the other person is talking about.I think it is rude and disrecpectful to blather on on a cell phone in a restaurant,movie,line at the grocery store,car(dangerous too) etc.There are some places phone conversations don't need to go.Believe it or not we did live lives before cell phones, and no major disaster befell us while eating dinner,getting a manicure,shopping for groceries etc. Like I said before if you are that worried about something horrible happening and you are not there keep it on vibrate and take your call outside.hell, I do this when my phone rings while getting an oil change on my car.

why is it wrong to talk on a cell in the grocery store. I don't think any disasters have befallen anyone for doing so. Do you? I love, love, love being able to call my sweetie and tell him I forgot we need cilantro...

Are you this uptight when people talk to one another in these places?

 

[inkkognito]

Here's one to make you all laugh....i work in a hospital and recently went to use a public restroom. I did my buisness and flushed the toilet.I then had a woman start screaming at me because she was on the cell phone and I flushed the toilet and she can't hear( she was on the phone while trying to do her buisness in the next stall) what her boyfriend is saying to her!

I would have responded with another flush! The number of people who talk on cell phones in restrooms is downright freaky. I guess the flushes and other potential noises don't matter because the person on the other end is probably used to them calling from the john and goodness only knows where else.

 

[RMulieri]

why is it wrong to talk on a cell in the grocery store. I don't think any disasters have befallen anyone for doing so. Do you? I love, love, love being able to call my sweetie and tell him I forgot we need cilantro...

Are you this uptight when people talk to one another in these places?

Let me rephrase...I don't mind talking on cell phones in the grocery store but I do mind when you are in line checking out and ignoring the cashier as she asks you something for the 50th time and you don't answer her because you are gabbing on the phone, or you stop loading your groceries out of your cart to stand and talk about your nights plans and I am stuck behind you trying to get on with my day too.I am not uptight about being on the phone I use mine too.,I think they are a great invention .But when you are either so loud I can hear your lifes intimate details, or you are ignoring people that are trying to ask you a question, or talking on your phone during dinner at a restaurant or during mass or a movie...then yes I get a tad uptight.

 

[RMulieri]

I would have responded with another flush! The number of people who talk on cell phones in restrooms is downright freaky. I guess the flushes and other potential noises don't matter because the person on the other end is probably used to them calling from the john and goodness only knows where else.

I know I think it is gross to be ...you know baking brownies while on the phone I know people who do this on the land lines too.Why do I need to hear you doing number 1 0r 2?

 

[brunette8706]

For a forum that "moral polices" more than any other I've been to, it's amazing to see how some things are glossed over.

Scenario: Someone talking "loudly" on their phone is disturbing you, so you use a jammer to stop their conversation. Now aren't you disturbing them? Why is your enjoyment more important than theirs? Why is theirs better than yours? Why do people even care about the next table over?


So does that makes it okay or any less illegal?

Because it is RUDE! Why is this so difficult to understand. If I'm in a resturant paying money to relax and have a meal I don't want to hear the guy on the cell at next table down from me yaking on the phone. If I can hear it than it's too loud. People need to turn the phones OFF or go outside.

 

[Nie0214]

If I'm in a restaurant paying money to relax and talk to my friend that lives 3000 miles away while having a nice meal, I don't want to hear a woman at the next table down from me yaking to their husband. If I can hear it then it's too loud. People need to turn the family OFF or go outside.

It can go both ways & not everyone who uses their phone screams into it. I rarely use my phone, but I'm just trying to show the other side of this "debate".

Also, if I wanted a relaxing meal with zero disturbances, I probably wouldn't go to a public restaurant.

Because it is RUDE! Why is this so difficult to understand.

What you quoted was me talking about someone using a jammer to stop people from being on the phone. Are you saying that using a jammer isn't rude?

 

[mpls_mm]

Some people are just rude and loud in general, cell phone or not. Is a conversation about bodily functions okay at the table next to you as long as everyone is present and no one is on their phone?
So we think someones behavior is rude so we go and buy a jammer and then we carry it around with us, anxiously waiting for someone to use a cell in the vicinity so we can turn it on and watch them look for the bars and get frustrated when they can't get a signal? Who has that kind of freaking time? Or we sit and stew and listen and finally go up to tell that person how rude they are? I think getting a life may be in order, maybe if we had more interesting stuff going on at our table, we might not care so much about the next table. I understand if you are on death row and this is your last meal on earth, I might want to concentrate myself, but I am going to eat how many dinners? Watch how many movies? Some people just aren't living unless they are unhappy, they'd complain about winning the lottery because they'd have to drive somewhere to stand in a line to fill out the paperwork.