Hospitality: That’s the word that translates our dining out experiences. We want someone to extend the hospitality of good food and beverages and an environment that is welcoming. We can ruin the experience with the flash of a scroll or a button.
Yes, we understand about shutting off our ringers and plenty of menus say no cell phones, but what about texting or emailing? How do you like eating out with a dinner companion who can’t take his eye off the gadget and his finger from the button?
More often than not the texter or writer is a visible dinner companion. If you are dining alone, then quietly scrolling through emails may make a fine dinner companion. Returning calls or sending long tapping messages does not elevate the experience for anyone: Don’t.
Yes, if you are “ON Call” your situation is different, but for the rest of the universe, it’s time to soak up the hospitality and lose the gadgetry. Vibrate is no better. Hit off or quiet and settle in for a fine dining experience no matter the venue or the price point.
Relax.
#1 by A. Valdez at February 20th, 2010
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I think this is an issue between the people at the table, the a restaurant-wide issue. It may be rude to the people you’re out with, but as long as the phone isnt making noise, I dont see how it bothers other diners…but maybe that is because I like my phone so much!