Imagine someone who’d go out with their nearest and dearest, loved ones, friends and family, and then get their phone out and spend that precious time checking Facebook?

Difficult isn’t it? WHO WOULD BE SO INCONSIDERATE?

I mean, what’s so effing important that you’d not be able to keep your effing phone in your effing pocket for the duration of a meal?

This week I found out that Beefeater are bringing in a ‘No Phone Zone’ in their restaurants for Mother’s Day, in response to research that states ‘constantly checking phones at the table’ is the number one behaviour that can ruin family outings; the thing most likely cause an argument while out at dinner. Diners will be able to book a ‘No Phone Zone’ table for Mother’s Day, and those in the zone will have to hand their mobile phones to staff ‘as a deposit’ when they arrive, and staff will have the right to move guests who do not comply with the new rule.

Superb idea.

The ‘No Phone Zone’ will be trialled across sites this weekend, with a view to make the areas permanent if it’s well received by diners.

*Stands to applaud*

Where’s my local Beefeater?

Imagine the scene. A restaurant full of people chatting and laughing, enjoying each others company. Fun, warmth, and people doing that ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ thing you see painted on planks in vintage shabby chic shops.

Beefeater aren’t the only ones doing this. Richard Turner, a Michelin starred chef, has also requested diners don’t use mobile phones at his restaurant in Birmingham. “I don’t think it’s asking much for people to keep their phones off the dinner table. Mealtimes should be about savouring food and enjoying the company you’re with, not sending e-mails, texts and checking Facebook.” I don’t expect he’ll be the only restauranteur to do so.

Now, I’m not innocent at all, and we’ve all done it. But maybe we should make a conscious effort this weekend to put it away for Mothers Day? If you’re with your mum, then do the decent thing and pocket that phone for the time you’re together. If you’re in a restaurant take a photo to commemorate the occasion but then review it later. Do it when you aren’t being antisocial and disrespectful.

This need to chronicle the moment, AT the moment, upload photos to Facebook or Instagram and wait, poised for the notifications, for people to LIKE what you’ve posted, is something touched on by Anna in her recent post Memory Making or Just Memory Faking. The Instagramming of Life, the portrayal of a life which doesn’t resemble the one you live, but one through a Lux filter. What is this desperate need to be liked anyway? When did we become so needy?

And while we’re on the subject of Instagram, I read recently that some parents have taken to naming their children after Instagram filters. You need training and a licence to drive a car. Not so for being a parent. Maybe we should look into changing that.

That’s a joke by the way. Kinda.

So yes. We’re not all parents, but we are all children, so if you’re lucky enough to spend time with yo’ mamma this weekend, take good care of her and put the phone away for Mother’s Day.

My mum’s dead. I remembered this when I was looking for a Mother’s Day card this week. Kinda surprised me really. Standing in W H Smith thinking, should I get her that one, or would that one make her laugh… but then your heart catching in your mouth as you realise, fuck. She’s dead. I’ll never see her again.

And when that time comes for you, do you want to remember spending Mother’s Day looking at your phone?

What do you think? Do you think all restaurants should have a No Phone Zone? How are you spending Mothers Day? Please leave a comment and let us know what you think, And, as always, thanks for reading. 

 

, , , , , , , ,