Restaurants Requesting No Cell Phones

[Markstudy]

If I'm in a restaurant to talk to my friend that lives 3000 miles away

...I don't want to hear a woman at the next table down from me yaking to their husband.

It can go both ways ....the other side of this "debate".

Now we have to bring in debate and logic?

Restaurants are built with table and chairs.
Charis for people to sit around the table and talk.

Bars are built with bar stools. If you want to yak on a cell phone....go sit at the bar.

The logic is simple.... hearing the NORMAL RHYTHM of two or more people talking is normal and easier to zone out.

Hearing only one half of a conversation is weird...in its on/and/off nature, and more often than not "high volume" of only one person, it tends to be a big distraction

If you think a cell phone is a tool to get and give quick messages you probably aren't causing discomfort for many people that come into contact with you.

If you think a cell phone is your social life and an excuse to never truly be alone.... then look around....you will be surprised how many people are annoyed with you
(PS- I'm not directing this last part to the person I quoted above, just speaking in general from observations over time)

 

[Nie0214]

Speaking for myself, I'd sit at the bar with friends, but I would not sit at the bar alone (as a woman). I go to the movies alone, but I don't think I'd ever sit at a bar alone. I'm not looking for people to come up to me to talk, and a single woman sitting at a bar invites that. Men don't have the same social labels put on them if they choose to sit at a bar alone.

 

[noodleknitter]

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.

Awww, well, I understand making others wait, and being rude. Makes sense now. sorry.

 

[Markstudy]

Speaking for myself, I'd sit at the bar with friends, but I would not sit at the bar alone (as a woman). I go to the movies alone, but I don't think I'd ever sit at a bar alone. I'm not looking for people to come up to me to talk, and a single woman sitting at a bar invites that. Men don't have the same social labels put on them if they choose to sit at a bar alone.

You are fun to debate with. I enjoy you logical approach to things.

I'm just exploring ideas. A little exercise in creative thinking.

Have a nice day

 

[just another guy]

Hearing only one half of a conversation is weird...in its on/and/off nature, and more often than not "high volume" of only one person, it tends to be a big distraction

Well hearing people talk in a foreign language is weird, so should we ask people to only speak english while at disney?

 

[inkkognito]

Well hearing people talk in a foreign language is weird, so should we ask people to only speak english while at disney?

That's a rather blanket statement. It might seem weird to some people, but not to me. I'm used to the foreign tourists at WDW because they're always there in droves, so hearing them speak their native language doesn't affect me one way or another. As a matter of fact, I far prefer them to Bodily Function Cell Phone Lady because a) since I can't understand them, I have no clue if they're talking about puke; and b) international cell minutes are expensive, so they're never on cell phones.

 

[DisneyCampers]

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?[/QUOTE]

No. I am not a loud talker at all, some people are on and off the phone. People go to restuarants they have conversations should they not talk because it might make your meal less enjoyable? There really is not a difference on or off the phone. I am call me rude if you like I do not care. I do not fell like talking on my phone at my table away from you is rudeness, I feel like poaple listening to my conversations is rude. I maen come on people if oyu donj't have anything better to do than to omplain about people onm there cell phones than you need to get a life. I have been told by many people that those who are so concerns with the life of others esp. strangers are a lot of times bored and unhappy in theirs. I guess that is why I don't pay attention to others is b/c I am having to much of an enjoyable time myself. Flame away at me I don't care..

Also how can some of you think it ok to use a jammer but the same people let someone mention pool hopping, refilling old mugs, etc.. and than the morals come out.

 

[just another guy]

That's a rather blanket statement. It might seem weird to some people, but not to me. I'm used to the foreign tourists at WDW because they're always there in droves, so hearing them speak their native language doesn't affect me one way or another. As a matter of fact, I far prefer them to Bodily Function Cell Phone Lady because a) since I can't understand them, I have no clue if they're talking about puke; and b) international cell minutes are expensive, so they're never on cell phones.

I was just throwing that out for fun. I don't believe what I said to be true. What I was simply getting at is that different people act differently to different setups. A large family from NY might be very loud, while a family from London might be on the quiet side. A foreign family with a baby typically has it under control while some americans treat their kids like animals, and thus they eat and act like such. If something is bothering you(as in anyone, not specifically you), you should say something to management. Level entry management at disney has no real power, so they will nicely tell you to bad, and that will be that.

 

[TDC Nala]

Speaking for myself, I'd sit at the bar with friends, but I would not sit at the bar alone (as a woman). I go to the movies alone, but I don't think I'd ever sit at a bar alone. I'm not looking for people to come up to me to talk, and a single woman sitting at a bar invites that. Men don't have the same social labels put on them if they choose to sit at a bar alone.

I eat and drink at bars at WDW - and sometimes at home - quite often, yes, alone. I don't like sitting at a table by myself so if a restaurant has a bar, I eat there. Sometimes people do talk to me, but I was under the impression that they're just talking. What kind of social label am I getting?

Just curious, as I was not aware that I should not be eating at bars. Is this like the thing I read that said women over 40 shouldn't have long hair? As soon as I read that I started growing my hair out. Maybe I should eat at more bars.

And I don't like listening to other folks talking on the cell phones at bars either, just to get it back on topic.

 

[Nie0214]

I eat and drink at bars at WDW - and sometimes at home - quite often, yes, alone. I don't like sitting at a table by myself so if a restaurant has a bar, I eat there. Sometimes people do talk to me, but I was under the impression that they're just talking. What kind of social label am I getting?

Just curious, as I was not aware that I should not be eating at bars. Is this like the thing I read that said women over 40 shouldn't have long hair? As soon as I read that I started growing my hair out. Maybe I should eat at more bars.

The social "label" (it's less of a label than it is a social invitation to meet new people) I meant is that you're single/available and/or welcome to people coming up to you to talk. It's somewhat like a type of body language.

Speaking for myself (not everywoman), I don't want people to come up to me to talk, so I do not sit alone at the bar. At Disney, I'd probably feel comfortable doing it. In my day-to-day life though, I would not like unknown men coming up to me. Paranoid? Maybe, but being a single 20-something with no family within 200 miles of my home makes me keep my eyes open.

 

[Inga]

Hmmm...when I am on vacation, I don't bring my cell phone (cell phone = work)...and I also go on vacation to get AWAY from family...so I need a cell phone on vacation...why is that again? Did the world fall apart before we had cell phones on vacation?...lost productivity, perhaps?

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't use my cell for work at all and at WDW it's for two things 1) so my friends can find me & vice versa and 2) so I can do 24 hour check in with Southwest Airlines. No, 3 things...if my flight home is messed up I might have to call my dad for a ride from the airport if I am too late to catch the bus. No, 4 things...last minute ADRs. I sound like the Spanish Inquisition.

Time for a Monty Python photo.

The social "label" (it's less of a label than it is a social invitation to meet new people) I meant is that you're single/available and/or welcome to people coming up to you to talk. It's somewhat like a type of body language.

I figured I was just eating or having a drink. But then I am a lot older than you are, maybe that's why I don't see just sitting at a bar as some sort of invitation. The only guys that will approach me would probably be the ones over 70 with no money.

 

[Inga]

There are alot of business done at WDW...I have been fortunate to sit in front of someone on POTC who seemed to need to seal the deal on the ride!

Cell phones are always the most irritating to those who aren't on them!

 

[Nie0214]

I figured I was just eating or having a drink. But then I am a lot older than you are, maybe that's why I don't see just sitting at a bar as some sort of invitation. The only guys that will approach me would probably be the ones over 70 with no money.

Agreed. Age makes a difference.

 

[Donnainnj]

I had one experience with a cell phone user years ago in a restaurant. My daughter was crying so I brought her in the enclosed entry to get her away from the other diners. It was pouring out. Well, someone was on a cell phone in there and went off on me for bringing my crying baby there. I calmed down my child and was able to go back to my seat pretty quickly. After the woman got off the phone she came over and apologized, she was on the phone being told of her father's medical emergency and status. I guess you never know.
On the other hand, my DH is finally getting the idea that it is not ok for him to stay on the phone at the table in restaurants. He works IT and is to used to having to practically yell over the computer room noise. He is much more likely to not answer, or if he thinks it is real important he will leave the table, or fire off an e-mail. It still bothers me, but is usually much better for the others in the restaurant. We do answer when the kids call, if we hear it, but usually that call will last 30 seconds just confirming it isn't an emergency.
Donna

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I hope those illegal jammers out there dont make a stop at the BC pool when we are there Christmas week! I would really hate to have a relaxing time with no cell phone calls when I am there. It is really sad that people have to resort to this because there are so many rude cell phone users. Well I never heard of this until I saw it on this thread. Learned something new here once again.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

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!

This is the single best comment I have read here.

I had a really long reply typed up a couple nights ago about how much I hate rudeness on cellphones. But I noticed I was typing really fast. Which tells me I'm angry. So I (as a DIS moderator once suggested)... backed away from the computer. Shook my fingers in the air, took a few deep breaths, and realized everything I wanted to say could be fought by someone else here. No need to get myself all upset.
Sure enough you've all pretty much hit every nail on the head. I'm relieved to read that others feel much like I do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Scenario: Someone talking "loudly" on their phone is disturbing you, so you use a jammer to stop their conversation.

Don't look at me. I'm not using a jammer. I've got better (and legal ) things on which I choose to spend my money. I was specifically addressing a post about paying for a service - nobody pays for a call that cannot be transacted, for whatever reason.

So does that makes it okay or any less illegal?

Highlighting the actual practice of the FCC in relation to the Telecommunications Act posted here merely points out that, as with many laws, this one is not enforced by the agency that got it enacted.

I love, love, love being able to call my sweetie and tell him I forgot we need cilantro...

Because disaster will befall the meal or weekly menu if you don't have cilantro? That aside, "Hi, sweetie, I forgot to put cilantro on the list, can you pick some up, see you when you get home" is very different from a fifteen minuted, high-decibel conversation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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?

Well, first, that conversation is likely held at a MUCH lower decibel level - i.e. just loud enough for the table companions to hear - than the cellphone description; and, chances are the person on the other end of the cellphone isn't having their dinner disturbed by graphic descriptions... as the table companions, who can tell the speaker right then and there that it's too much information or that the person is ruining their dinner.

but I am going to eat how many dinners? Watch how many movies?

You're not actually trying to justify using a cellular phone in a location/business where traditionally and out of respect for one's fellow patrons, not to mention the hundreds of people involved in creating some piece of entertainment, one is expected to be quiet???????????????????

I do not fell like talking on my phone at my table away from you is rudeness, I feel like poaple listening to my conversations is rude.

Then you should not be having it, or at least not in a location where people are forced to listen. There is a very big difference between eavesdropping (straining to overhear what others around you are saying in face-to-face conversations carried on in normal tones), and being forced to overhear any, or one side of any, conversation because the speaker THINKS they're using their inside voice but is actually speaking loudly enough to be heard five feet away.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think we are done with this thread now.