The phone booth is back, too
This is a pretty smart idea. Install a phone booth. Don’t put a phone in it. Put people who want to use their cell phone in it, instead. Makes perfect sense. Why didn’t anyone think of this before?
There are times I’ve wanted to take or make a cell phone call but haven’t for two reasons: It’s rude to do that in a restaurant. And I don’t want the world listening in to my end of the conversation. Two birds. One stone. Whoo-hoo!
29. December 2004 at 15:44
On the other hand, it renders completely ridiculous the idea of a MOBILE phone…
3. January 2005 at 09:57
Can someone explain to me why it’s “rude” to have a quiet conversation in a restaurant on your cell phone and “not rude” to have a quiet conversation with someone at your table in a restaurant?
3. January 2005 at 21:34
I think it has to do with how few human beings are capable of maintaining that quiet conversation. It inevitably turns into screaming back and forth on the phone. I think holding a phone up to your ear partially deafens you to the normal room volume. It’s tougher to judge ambient sound that way. And then there’s the usual cell phone reception issues.
Plus, and call me old fashioned on this — I’d like to believe there is a place in this world where we can get away from technology. Dinner is part of that. I’m not saying it’s completely logical, but there you have it.
4. January 2005 at 11:14
Well, as long as you admit it’s not logical. ;) I agree wholeheartedly that inappropriately loud conversation in a restaurant is rude – whether with a companion or in a phone conversation. And I’ve been subjected to plenty of the former as well as the latter.