Restaurants Requesting No Cell Phones

[3girls4me05]

Wow..I would be ticked if someone used a cell phone jammer on me. Granted I don't usually talk on my cell at a restaurant but still.. Let's see why do I carry my cell? Because of these times
-my MIL went for a routine check up and ended up in an ambulance heading to the ER due to potential heart attack
-my daughter saying that soccer practice ended a little early and she was at the field waiting for me and I was able to reassure her that I was just around the corner
-the call from my husband the night I had a meeting I was running and our youngest DD slipped in the tub and split her eye open and needed medical attention
-my brother calling me to let me know that my sister had just found my beloved grandmother dead in her apartment.

Sorry but getting any of those messages an hour or two after the fact would not have been acceptable to me. That is why I carry a cell and keep it on. I do excuse myself and I do keep my conversations quiet and short. Shame on you for thinking it is funny to jam someone else's phone. You never know for sure what that phone call is all about (okay unless they are so loud then you can hear every word but you still shouldn't jam it)

 

[Jubilee]

They can't ban cell phones in restaurants! That's the perfect time to make final changes to my ADRs!

 

[Sparkie]

You know, I'm not going to debate the "ok to use cell phone in the dining establishment" because that debate will go round and round.... but I will say that "phone ettiquete (spelling?)" is a lost art.

Do any of you remember being in elementary school and you had the lesson on how to answer the phone and how to take a message? I have corrected my children many times - when you call someone, you dont say "is ____ there?" but "May I speak to ______?" Well, you get the picture.

I do have to agree that it is rude for people to have loud and inappropriate conversations in public places- My most favorite pet peeve about cell phones is the type that are like 2 way radios or speaker phone where I can hear both sides of the conversation- and the other person may not be aware that what they are saying is being blasted about the room. Or the ear thing.... I look at people and wonder if they are talking to me and then I realize that they are talking to themselves.... or so it seems.

I think it appropriate for restruants and other public places to place limitations on cell phone use. Put the phone on silent, only use text message, take your conversation outside or return the call later.

I love my phone as much as the next person but I do find the dependence that we all have attached to our phones as very sad. I dont know how we lived without them.... OK.... you may have guessed but I'm in the over 40 age group.

 

[oybolshoi]

this has probably already been said, but I don't really want to read through all the posts, so here goes...

My opinion is this: if you need to leave your cell phone on during dinner or a movie or church or a meeting it should be on vibrate and you should excuse yourself from your table, or seat, or pew, or board room to take the call. That's called consideration for all the people around you who don't need or want to hear your conversation and I believe it's also considerate to the person you're speaking with on the phone who may or may not know that you're taking a phone call in a public place.

And that last part of the sentence is crucial: you're in public ... be aware and considerate of all the other people you're sharing that space with. That's not so difficult, is it?

 

[noodleknitter]

1) I know what the law is.
2) I won't get into that here.
3) However, if the people won't stop being rude, I can stop them.
. . . it is so funny when they wave their phones in the air looking for "bars"
. . . it is so funny that they keep opening/closing the phone thinking it will help
. . . it is so funny when they keep looking at the phone thinking it will ring
4) The alternative, is that they fully pay for my meal and beverages.
5) I think it would be fair.
6) If they want to take my enjoyable time, they should pay for it.

NOTE: I see NO reason for people to keep a cell phone on during dinner, church, theater, amusement park ride, plane, etc. That is why they invented voice mail. My goodness, what did these people do before cell phones? In fact, if you cell phone goes off during my business meetings, you pay $10 ON THE SPOT.

I have heard all sorts of excuses why people need a cell phone during dinner
. . . my father is sick and might die
. . . business might need to call me
. . . i am important, or think i am important
. . . i might need to call {mother, father, sister, brother, kids}
. . . i might get a call from the President of US (OK, that one was valid)
What could you do then you couldn't do earlier or 45-min later?

People leave their number with babysitters, all of the time. I did when mine were little. I don't care for yappers, but, frankly, I've had just as many meals ruined by loud men, drunk women, screaming babies. None are any less rude than the phone people.

Stupid rule, btw.

 

[inkkognito]

I do have to agree that it is rude for people to have loud and inappropriate conversations in public places- My most favorite pet peeve about cell phones is the type that are like 2 way radios or speaker phone where I can hear both sides of the conversation- and the other person may not be aware that what they are saying is being blasted about the room.

My brother the truck driver pulled a cruel joke on a colleague with those things. His wife, DH and I were all in the car with him, but he implied that he was alone and led the poor guy into an embarrassing conversation rife with truck driver language. The guy thought bro was alone in his truck. Then he revealed that there was an audience, and his buddy was embarrassed BIG TIME!!

 

[mpls_mm]

I would hope no one is serious about the jammer, reminds me of those left lane vigilantes who want to decide how fast everyone goes on the highway. I do text in line, at my table etc. I run a business and there is no time off for me. I don't think I am more important than anyone, I just have employees all over the country, and sometimes over the world that need things. They need to get paid, or have their own emergencies or need my approval to make a big sale. All of my employees know they can count on me, if they need anything at all, they can email me 24 hours a day. My customers count on me too, they might need parts or emergency repairs, and they know I will take care of them. I don't expect my employees to work their evenings or weekends, family time is important, thats why we allow our people to work from home, so that means I need to answer emails all the time. I don't take phone calls, but I try to answer my emails all the time. I'd rather sit next to a table of texters than a table full of kids who aren't behaving. If my kids act up, we get it to go so we don't disturb other diners. I rarely see people get up and leave when their kids are acting up.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wouldn't think there was anything wrong with texting as long as you don't spend the whole meal doing it - which would be more annoying to the folks the texter is sitting with than anyone else.

 

[Jubilee]

You know, I'm not going to debate the "ok to use cell phone in the dining establishment" because that debate will go round and round.... but I will say that "phone ettiquete (spelling?)" is a lost art.

Do any of you remember being in elementary school and you had the lesson on how to answer the phone and how to take a message? I have corrected my children many times - when you call someone, you dont say "is ____ there?" but "May I speak to ______?" Well, you get the picture.

I do have to agree that it is rude for people to have loud and inappropriate conversations in public places- My most favorite pet peeve about cell phones is the type that are like 2 way radios or speaker phone where I can hear both sides of the conversation- and the other person may not be aware that what they are saying is being blasted about the room. Or the ear thing.... I look at people and wonder if they are talking to me and then I realize that they are talking to themselves.... or so it seems.

I think it appropriate for restruants and other public places to place limitations on cell phone use. Put the phone on silent, only use text message, take your conversation outside or return the call later.

I love my phone as much as the next person but I do find the dependence that we all have attached to our phones as very sad. I dont know how we lived without them.... OK.... you may have guessed but I'm in the over 40 age group.

I'm 26 and I agree

 

[Markstudy]

I think the other funny one.... is when I go to see a movie.

Last movie (Batman) had at least 8 people sitting in front of me checking their text messages on-and-off ever 30 minutes, and lighting up the theater with the new bigger brighter screens on new I-phones and other phone/computer/PDA's (Sucks for everyone sitting in the next 8 rows behind them).

I like to sit in the back row. I'm just not going to the movies anymore. (bought a big screen TV and Blue-Ray, I'm staying home unless theaters install jammers). People can't stay off the wireless anymore....can you say light pollution ?

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I wouldnt use anything that was illegal but the idea of jamming all my DH's work phone calls at home,when we are out to dinner etc. etc. would be a dream come true

I wonder how they justify selling these things ( I never heard of them before) if using them is a crime?

 

[noahdove]

I have a cell phone and I am guilty of not having it on...I only need it for emergencies...If I am out in public and it rings(most of the time I don't hear it but when I do, I try to be very quiet when I am talking, if I know it will be long, I don't answer it and then will call the person back. I only have the call and answer features..no text, no special rings etc...it's only for ER...However, I will let the kids I am taking use it when we get back at the resort to call home...but.........we will not use it while eating or at the parks...my rules....

 

[all4disney98]

I still don't think just anyone should be able to use a jammer, that just doesn't seem right. I have no problem with a phone being on as long as it's on vibrate or silent, and someone excuses themselves from the table, but a jammer wouldn't even give them that option.

I agree with this. I have my cell phone for emergencies only, I don't call anyone on it and people know not to call unless it is an emergency. I would be so upset if I found out that someone was doing this preventing my son or daughter from calling me in an emergency.

And I too can not stand it when people have a complete and LOUD conversation on a cell phone in a restaurant and everyone around them can hear it. The other day this woman was on the phone when I was waiting for my son somewhere. She was SO LOUD. Then she got off the phone and started to talk to her friend that was with her in a normal voice again. I wanted to ask her why she couldn't talk like that when she was on the phone. I wouldn't have needed the 2 ADVIL.

Oh well...

 

[Markstudy]

I think the other funny one.... is when I go to see a movie.

Last movie (Batman) had at least 8 people sitting in front of me checking their text messages on-and-off ever 30 minutes, and lighting up the theater with the new bigger brighter screens on new I-phones and other phone/computer (Sucks for everyone sitting in the next 8 rows behind them).

I like to sit in the back row. I'm just not going to the movies anymore. (bought a big screen TV and Blue-Ray, I'm staying home unless theaters install rammers). People can't stay off the wireless anymore

 

[suprgrlx]

I don't understand why everyone seems to think it's so rude that someone else is on their phone.. but feel they are completely justified by going up to those phone-yappers and telling them off/etc. for being on their phone. Maybe restaurants should also ban babies from crying or loud talking while we're at it.

A jammer is horrible! What if there's an emergency and someone doesn't have a signal because you're having fun making sure nobody has a signal? What if people are trying to meet up with other DISers and call to say they're running behind, etc.? Might want to check out the FCC too: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations_2&id=cellular:



I'm not saying I'm on my cell all the time (or ever really, I barely use it). It's one thing if someone at your table is yapping on the phone.. but if it's somebody else in another party, why care? Maybe when I'm on vacation I just have a vacation bubble around me and don't let other people get to me.

I totally agree with this whole post.

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?

I think that it's a personal decision on behalf of the person on the phone about whether they feel comfortable doing it with other physical companions right there. My DH and I are together all the time and if we happened to get a short call in the middle of a store/restaurant/other while we're with the other, it would be no big deal. Alternatively, when I'm with other friends who I see much more rarely, I would probably let voice mail get it for the vast majority of callers. In particular, if I am ever in line while I am on the phone (rare, but it happens), then before I get to the front I will put my call on hold, give my full attention to the person at the head of the line, and resume my call once I leave. I would not sit there with a phone to my head alternating between conversations, because I do think that is rude.

But honestly I can't see why people would feel the need to go up to a stranger and chastise them for bad manners. To me that seems like it would be unlikely to solve anything, and most probably would just end up with having double the bad manners floating around. I also think the idea of using jammers is horrible. 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 am not dealing with you and not there by your authorization (i.e. your restaurant, or boardroom, or house, etc) then I see *no* reason why you should get to decide what I can and cannot do. If you have a problem with it, then speak to someone at the store/restaurant/other. It is their place to deal with it, not yours.

 

[Nie0214]

I wonder how they justify selling these things ( I never heard of them before) if using them is a crime?

It's prohibited to sell them too: "The manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale, including advertising, of devices designed to block or jam wireless transmissions is prohibited."

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?

Well said! As someone else mentioned, drunken people, loud talkers, crying babies, kids that run under tables, etc. are all found in restaurants. Why should anyone be annoyed that someone (especially if they are alone) is on the phone sharing their time with someone who cannot physically be there?

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

My countdown timer says it all.

 

[RMulieri]

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.Seriously, there is nothing that important that can't wait a few minutes .If someone is seriously ill, or the babysitter needs you, then by all means keep the phone on vibrate and excuse yourself from the table to answer it.I keep mine on vibrate, if it goes off i either silence it or excuse myslef and answer it.I get a tad po'd at restaurants when people yak on their phones and i can hear all about their wild night of sex, or that so and so's sister has had diarrhea for 3weeks etc.I actually saw a man answer his phone in church, and proceed to yak on it during MASS (finally the priest stopped right in the middle of speaking, till the offender hung up).i also know people that drive,bathe and sleep with the cell phones within arms reach because "what if the phone rings"?...Sorry about the rant, There are just some places in the world that you need to just re-join society and hang up the phone.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I love you all!!!

I'm finally with a bunch of people who think the recent lack of phone manner is ridiculous! I feel like everyone is on their phones and sometimes I want to ask them if the other person actually gives a crap about what they are blabbling on about...

I hear some really stupid conversations. It just amazes me.

 

[DisneyCampers]

I totally agree with this whole post.

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?

I think that it's a personal decision on behalf of the person on the phone about whether they feel comfortable doing it with other physical companions right there. My DH and I are together all the time and if we happened to get a short call in the middle of a store/restaurant/other while we're with the other, it would be no big deal. Alternatively, when I'm with other friends who I see much more rarely, I would probably let voice mail get it for the vast majority of callers. In particular, if I am ever in line while I am on the phone (rare, but it happens), then before I get to the front I will put my call on hold, give my full attention to the person at the head of the line, and resume my call once I leave. I would not sit there with a phone to my head alternating between conversations, because I do think that is rude.

But honestly I can't see why people would feel the need to go up to a stranger and chastise them for bad manners. To me that seems like it would be unlikely to solve anything, and most probably would just end up with having double the bad manners floating around. I also think the idea of using jammers is horrible. 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 am not dealing with you and not there by your authorization (i.e. your restaurant, or boardroom, or house, etc) then I see *no* reason why you should get to decide what I can and cannot do. If you have a problem with it, then speak to someone at the store/restaurant/other. It is their place to deal with it, not yours.

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.