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The cell phone is not the problem, it's the person using the cell phone that is causing the disturbance. While the rest of us are considerate and either turn off our phones or set them to vibrate before entering a restaurant, or if we do need to take a call we speak quietly and keep the conversation brief, there are always going to be some loud mouths ruining it for the rest of us. Passing a law we really end up punishing all of us, as everyone needs to occasionally take a quick call at the table.

Much like cigarette smoke, loud cell phone users disturb and annoy those around them. Instead of a law, restaurant should start instituting a no cell phones at the table policy. Like the smokers, it's only fair that the cell phone users should have to leave the table to talk. That shouldn't be too much to ask for the individual to get up and talk twenty feet to the doorway of the restaurant.

Unfortunately, the type of person who is inconsiderate enough to bather on at the top of his or her lungs while the rest of us try to eat, is usually the same person that you make do anything. Have you ever tried to politely ask a person screaming on their cell phone to keep it down? Trust me, it never goes well. The responses tend to range from the lesser affronts such as "It's a free country," or "There's no law against talking on the phone," to the straight confrontations such as "F* off," or my personal favorite, "Make me." As much as I'd like to do just that, it's not in my personality.

This is why I believe it is up to the restaurant to begin "enforcing" this as a bit as a policy. There should be, of course, exceptions to the rule. In emergencies and situations like that, it should be acceptable, as long as the user is brief, quiet, and considerate of those around him or her. But beyond that, it's time that the loud talkers are made to leave the restaurant so the rest of us can enjoy a meal in peace.

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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