Dinner Challenge: Leave Your Phone At The Door

by KatieLemon on September 22, 2012

Photo by Katie Lemon

Just as a friend and I sat down in a restaurant, he took my cell phone out of my hand and placed it in the middle of the table along with his. He proposed that we keep the cell phones screen facing down and out of our hands the entire meal.

I’m thinking: You mean I can’t answer that text? I can’t Instagram this delicious food? I can’t check us into Foursquare?

Okay, I’m exaggerating, but on some level all of us are guilty. It seems as if every time I go to a restaurant people are texting, taking pictures and posting to Facebook and Twitter. We have an urge to tell people where we are and to prove we have perfect, robust social lives.

With this constant need to show and tell, could we “hold the phone” and just put the technology away for a couple of hours?

Eva Restaurant, a Los Angeles dining destination located in the Fairfax District, recently introduced an incentive to get people away from their mobile devices. The rules are simple: check your cell phone at the door and get five percent off of your entire meal. According to the owner, around 40 percent of patrons accept the offer.

Food brings people together. It’s no wonder our social plans revolve around food – we have coffee, lunch or dinner with someone. Dining together involves trying new cuisines, telling stories and connecting, you know, the old fashion way. Take away the technology and all of a sudden we are fully released to the present moment and truly appreciate our company (and food).

Unfortunately, cell phones are not only an issue at the table. People check their phones incessantly for new calls, texts, @mentions, likes and tags. I attended a concert at the Shrine Auditorium last year and some patrons in front of me were texting and checking Facebook throughout the entire performance. Is technology really so important that we can’t stop to appreciate the music?

If you’re reluctant about decreasing your cell phone usage, just think about life before technology. Before cell phones, iPads and social networking sites we were just fine, maybe even better off. Next time you go to a restaurant, exchange the technology for a wonderful dining experience and the opportunity to connect face to face with someone.

Are you up for the challenge? Can you leave your phone at the door, in your pocket or even switched off?

Tagged as: cell phone, eva restaurant, Facebook, Foursquare, instagram, Social Media, technology, Twitter

  • Nikki Geffen

    Wow, what a cool concept! I’ve never heard of that but for 30% off I’d for sure do it. I am definitely guilty of the over usage of my cell phone at all times, that’s for sure. 

  • Brooke M.

    I think this is such a great idea! It’s a great way to give the person you’re spending time with you’re full attention, instead of being distracted by your phone and only half listening. This should become more common!

  • Jessica Wang

    I think having a smartphone with you when you’re waiting in line to kill time is fine, but using it when you are with a friend… especially when you are dining is really impolite. I have read this news article on Eva’s Restaurant’s “cellphone challenge” before and since I have always been wanting to try Chef Mark Gold’s cuisine, I’ll be willing to take the challenge :D

  • Molly Russell

    This is so true! Right away I think about my mom telling me to stop using my phone at the dinner table. Things can aways wait and I just think it’s rude when your not present when someone is taking the time to be with you.

  • Elizabeth Reidenbach

    Wonderful post, Katie! I’m completely agreeable to the no-cell phone challenge, and I think it would be interesting to see if more restaurants follow suit and initiate similar tactics to encourage proper etiquette. While I’m guilty of Instagraming my beautiful plate of food and sending a text message at the table from time-to-time, I generally consider individuals who are chronically guilty these very acts without legitimate reason as self-absorbed and rude. In fact, one of my biggest pet peeves is going out in public with someone who adamantly refuses to put his or her cell phone away in a public setting. As your post rightfully points out, a life prior to instant gratification did exist, and people managed to survive – certainly it’s not a tragedy to safely tuck your iPad away for 30 minutes and enjoy a blissful world without access to technology. 

  • http://twitter.com/miabbecker Mia B. Becker

    It really is true how addicting/takeover technology can be…..I try to be focused on a conversation + be phone free – but it is difficult. Although, it does fill the awkward silences when you have nothing to initially talk about it…..

  • Kaitlyn Gatena

    This is a great concept that I definitely want to try. It’s funny how we use technology to stay connected but when we’re texting during a meal it completely prevents us from being present and in the moment.

  • HillaryBrown

    Love this, Katie. My boyfriend is constantly admonishing me for using my cellphone at meals (even though he does the same sometimes!). I want to try your friend’s idea of putting the cell phones face down on the table for the whole meal. I think not having that distraction will be great for us. Thanks!

  • Ahmanielle Hall

    I enjoyed this post because I am addicted to my phone and can barely go two minutes without checking emails and Twitter for the latest scoop. I’m getting better at it, but I still have a long way to go!

  • http://Realtor.com/ Candice Cerro

    I think this is a such an interesting idea. I always laugh when I see a couple at dinner and both are staring at their phones and not talking to each other. Likewise, I hate when I go to dinner with someone and I’m trying to catch up with them but they keep staring at their phone. It is hard however, to be separated from one’s mobile device. I’d love to take the challenge and see how it goes!

  • Patrick Xiang

    I love your post Katie! I kate people keep playing the phone when we have dinner, but I do that too. Now sometimes I simply choose not to bring my phone when I go out for dinner. People actually love it!

  • Nancy Cheng

    This is very interesting. I like this idea. I sometimes get panicked if I can’t find my phone. I’ll commit to this idea from now. Although it’s obviously hard for me, I’ll try.

  • Fernanda López

    I love this post because I am guilty as charged lol//My husband and I try to always keep our phones appart when we go out dining but sometimes we really get caught up when we get phone calls from work and we feel bad if we don’t answer. I actually spoke to him about this place and we would like to visit some day

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