Should We Ban Phones in Restaurants?

Well if some restaurants got the food out quicker I wouldn't need my phone, I only use it to pass the time, some wait's are ridiculous

It should be up to the individual restaurant.

What's with this behavior to try and ban everything?

I might not like seeing people glued to their phones, but it's their decision and right to. We don't live in China or another commie country, it's the Western world.

It comes down to the individual. I don’t use my phone in company as I feel it is rude. However, if you have an ill child or are expecting an important call I will have my phone on the table

If phones are banned how could diners let people know what their food looked like before eating it?

It makes me sad to see a table of diners looking at their phones and no conversation taking place at all

Oh stop trying to ban everything! Sensible people turn the volume down or set to vibrate if you need to be reached urgently that’s why I carry mine.

Surely it should be a personal choice, and I say this as someone who doesn't take a mobile phone with me anywhere! I do enjoy a stress free meal out without listening to other people's phone conversations but don't we have enough rules & regulations already?!

As some restaurants you can only order or see the menu on an app it won't work. Also when I'm on holiday we sit in restaurants and use the time waiting planning what we are going to do next using phones to see what's around. Also play games like geocache so will go on the app to see if there's any nearby that we can walk to easily from where we are

Seems fair to have a sign saying 'Please mute the sound of your phone if using it and take calls outside'. I was in Hungry Horse when a family started playing cartoons at high volume on their phone to amuse their kids. Luckily I was just leaving but you could see the annoyance on other people's faces. Some people are vile with no consideration for others.

I sometimes take my phone with me if I go out for a meal but usually leave it at home with my daughter. My husband always has his phone in case of emergencies.

I don’t think this would catch on, depending on type of restaurant, but most people love to take photos of their food and guests.

No, why?, as long as people don't have the sound on which most don't whats the problem. In fact in many restaurants you can order and pay on your phone now anyway.

No, because my phone is also a medical device as it's linked to my insulin pump and dexcom.

Not for me. I think people should be allowed their phone, and it’s upto them if they use it or not

I don't tend to use my phone if I'm out and I'm probably in the generation where people assume we do. If I'm out the only thing I tend to use my phone for is photos, maps or if I'm contacting the person I'm meeting. I don't understand the people that check their texts when they are driving and need to check their phone every 2 seconds. If I have a phone call I'd check who it is and usually answer it as it could be an emergency but if I was eating at a restaurant, it can wait, the person usually calls twice if it is an emergency.

Why should be have to be TOLD to not use our devices at the table? Surely that is your choice if you want to be rude or not.

Phones are a distraction and make people ignorant, especially children. The only time they should be used is when there is an offer on or an in-house app.

I have no objections to phones in eating places, unless people are shouting loudly on them, or playing game sounds at top volume

No thanks. A lot of them now even have their menus online instead of physical menus, so I don’t see phones ever being banned

Great idea so you can concentrate on your meals.

It's like saying you can't use your phone while you working

Not needed and men wearing hats .i object to

IMO yes

but it’s the right of the individual to carry their phone

Yes also ban them on public buses

I wouulldn't tend to use my phone in a restaurant unless an emergency or waiting for an important call.

As a parent of a child with special needs i couldn't not have my phone on incase of an emergency but i do think its also personal choice. If a person wanted to put down their phone at a table they would. I try not to use my phone when at the table but sometimes things happen.

I think people should bring their phones in cases of emergencies, they don't have to be glued to them though.

We might use our phone to play games while waiting for the food to arrive, depending on where we are, sometimes food can take ages, we also hold a conversation together..