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| Yes | 38% | 1181 votes | Total: 3079 votes | |
| No | 62% | 1898 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesThis question is akin to asking: Should blow horns be allowed in restaurants? That would yield universal agreement. Of course not. In close quarters, blow horns are like the proverbial fingernail on the blackboard. Using a blow horn within a few short feet of the nearest diner, likely a total stranger, would amount to pure cloddishness of the highest order.
Well, cell phones in restaurants are every bit as annoying, and obnoxious ring tones make them even more so. There's nothing more disturbing then to be suddenly bombarded with a chorus of "I Love Big Butts and I Do Not Lie," when you're all set to make short work of your veal scaloppini.
People who allow their cell phones to go off in restaurants lack any modicum of courtesy and consideration for others. These blatant exhibitionists are saying to the world, "Look at me. I'm important, I'm popular." Then they make certain to talk in loud enough voices so that practically everyone in the same state is bound to overhear the conversation.
Restaurants should ban ringing cell phones, and then actively enforce the ban, without exception. Patrons should be forewarned, through signs at the entrance and on the menus, that ringing cell phones are not allowed in the dining area. Then, when violations occur, transgressors should be ushered off the premises. Yes, the establishment might lose that customer forever, but it would be cementing the good will and future patronage of everyone else.
Frequenting a restaurant involves much more than eating a meal. You can always chow down or at a fast-food place. Quality of food and the leisurely atmosphere make for a full dining experience. You cannot possibly relax and enjoy the experience when someone at the next table boorishly insists on being noticed.
Obviously, cell phones cannot be banned entirely. Modern-day realities make it important for each of us to be "reachable." Some people, such as physicians, emergency responders and public officials, have to be available on a moment's notice to respond to unexpected crises. But even more, we all want to be accessible to family members and close friends in case of emergencies or changes in plans.
Placing a cell phone on "vibrate" fills this legitimate need without disturbing others' tranquility. The recipient of the call can quickly look at the phone to identify the caller, and then either quietly hold a phone conversation in the restaurant or exit to the lobby or outdoors if a more spirited dialogue is needed. If the call is not urgent, the phone is quickly put away and a return call made later. Consideration of others goes a long way in improving the quality of life for everyone.
Learn more about this author, Jake Betz.
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No
Being interrupted by a cell phone while you are trying to have a nice meal is frustrating. It isn't just restaurants though, there are also movie theaters, shopping centers, libraries, and even church, but while I consider it rude the idea of banning a cell phone troubles me. It isn't just that there are people who need cell phones to connect to work, and I don't care if it bothers the people who are rude and can't control a cell phone. It bothers me because I don't like the idea of telling people what to do.
People in our society need to learn to take responsibility for themselves. This doesn't just mean those who own the cell phone. If someone is so inconsiderate they ignore their phone ringing they should be treated by those who work in the restaurant the same way they would be treated if they tried any of the other numerous rude things people do in restaurants. Treat them the same as you would if they were talking to loud to the person at their table or allowing children to run around yelling, while a person who quietly answers a bone that was set to vibrate is not a problem at all.
A second issue is the specificity of the rule. If we plan to make rules to ban all rudeness in society we are going to become a totalitarian society very quickly. Think about just the rules for rudeness in a restaurant. We must bad talking loudly, sitting to close, bad smells, overly bright clothing, children running around, picking the nose, forgetting to wash hands, and probably far more things when we begin to think it over. And those laws will begin to multiply when we think of the other places that rules could be passed for as well. Instead let us consider simply expecting people to follow one simple and easy to remember rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
I'm an optimist, but not enough of an optimist to expect this will just happen, but I am enough of a realist to know that if we allow government to become the equivalent of the overprotective parents who never allow their children to make choices for themselves we will end up with a society that requires that level of government. This is a scary possibility because while an overprotective government may help protect us from a few individuals we must consider who will protect us from the government.
Could we not then consider the possibility then of simply expecting that each person think for themselves? The question of banning cell phone in restaurants may seem a small point in this great issue, but all great issues are made up of many small points. We may have already started down the path of needing government for everything we must consider trying to turn back from that path and saying that we will allow the children to act out and face the consequences of those actions. It is the only way to get back to a path of personal responsibility and every day we wait it will get a little harder.
Learn more about this author, Elton Gahr.
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