disconnect to reconnect (social media content)

[Jusca]

I'd always get a discount if that's the case. I never use my phone if a real person is eating with me or in my company while hanging together. I find it rude and if someone does it to me too often, I'll mention it.

[Bob Womack]

Somehow I find it distinctly jarring that this morning at 5am after I took the dogs out to poo, my iPhone news app felt a need to tell me Demi Lovato ditched her bra... with a picture.

What possible reason could I have to need this info at 5am? At 5am after dog poo, who cares?

Bob

[RP]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

...What possible reason could I have to need this info at 5am? At 5am after dog poo, who cares?

Bob

But for every Bob Womack who couldn't care less about this breaking news, there must be many who DO care about such things and stay glued to their electronic devices until the very last second in the movie theater, walk down the street with eyes glued, drive down the road with devices at the ready, and yes, remain at tables in crowded restaurants after finishing eating so as not to miss a single thing going on in the world or amongst friends. As rokdog49 previously pointed out, "It's a way of life" and for some of us, that's a little bit scary...

[philjs]

Originally Posted by RP

...drive down the road with devices at the ready...

Here's the ultimate in distracted driving...



Sad to say this guy is Canadian...full story here.

Phil

[AX17609]

Why do I care if the person at the next table is looking at their cell phone any more than if they were looking at a book or magazine? They're not bothering anyone. Now, if they're talking on the phone, that's another matter.

[Shoreline Music]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Somehow I find it distinctly jarring that this morning at 5am after I took the dogs out to poo, my iPhone news app felt a need to tell me Demi Lovato ditched her bra... with a picture.

What possible reason could I have to need this info at 5am? At 5am after dog poo, who cares?

Bob

I think this question belongs in the "Dear AGFy" thread.

[Mr. Jelly]

I read real and fake news all the time. Not entertainment or sports though. I look at most things in today's world as entertainment for me. The world's human condition is fascinating. And the news is so much more entertaining than what is sold as entertainment now days. I do what I can and should in the here and now and the rest is beyond my influence so I leave it up to ... well you get the picture. I want to be in the times that I live.

[RP]

Originally Posted by AX17609

Why do I care if the person at the next table is looking at their cell phone any more than if they were looking at a book or magazine? They're not bothering anyone. Now, if they're talking on the phone, that's another matter.

I agree if nobody is waiting for a table. If others are waiting, as I was last Sunday, it seems pretty selfish to be spending time online rather than eating so that someone else can sit down and eat. One of the goals of a successful restaurant is to put diners in seats and turn those seats over frequently. My ladyfriend, a retired speech pathologist, frets that interpersonal/face-to-face communication will become a lost art in our society with its increasing deference to electronic devices...

[AX17609]

Originally Posted by RP

I agree if nobody is waiting for a table. If others are waiting, as I was last Sunday, it seems pretty selfish to be spending time online rather than eating so that someone else can sit down and eat. One of the goals of a successful restaurant is to put diners in seats and turn those seats over frequently. My ladyfriend, a retired speech pathologist, frets that interpersonal/face-to-face communication will become a lost art in our society with its increasing deference to electronic devices...

Those are two entirely different issues. If someone is occupying a table in a crowded restaurant and doing something totally unrelated to eating, then there's a problem. But, if two people want look at their cell phones while waiting for their dinner rather than engage in face-to-face communication, that's really none of my business.

[MrDB]

I always "request" that everyone put their phones away while we eat. Actual human interaction during a meal is retro, I know.

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by RP

My ladyfriend, a retired speech pathologist, frets that interpersonal/face-to-face communication will become a lost art in our society...

Of course it will, like writing a letter.
Or writing anything for that matter.
My cell phone always stays in the car.

[Todd Tipton]

It was a couple of years ago, but I will never forget what I saw in a restaurant one night. A mother. A father. A boy about 12 or so. A girl about the same age. And a little boy about 7 or 8. That little boy sat alone most of the night while the other four of them stared at their separate phones.

It is to the point that Amy and I have repeatedly met someone, maybe even had them over for dinner. And they sit there and text and scroll through Facebook. First and last time at my house...lol

[bil]

My wife and I have a personal agreement: When going to a restaurant or theater of any kind, the phones stay in the car. Kind of liberating.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

I think it's a great idea. On the other hand, as long as people aren't interfering with my dinner, I don't care what they do. it's better than screaming toddlers.

Agreed.

There is no way you will keep people here in LA off their phones, and as long as it's done quietly I have no problem with it. Helene and I eat out 3-4 times a week, and often check emails while sipping on a pre dinner cocktail. As for kids, don't get me started!

[rmyAddison]

I am a total geek, computers (retired IT guy), electronics, home theater, music, but I have a "no electronics rule" for meals at my house, and when I dine out.

A few months ago I was at a four star restaurant with four families, we had our own room. Even after we were served two of the mothers and most of the teenage children were constantly on their phones....

I said nothing, I wasn't the "host" or I would have, but it spoiled the treat of a fine dining restaurant for me. Enough is enough..........