Cell Phones at the Dinner Table?

[UnaChispita]

Question to parents-

Do you have rules about your kids using cell phones during dinner? What about if guests are over for a family visit?

Was at my sister's yesterday for Easter. Her kids were on their cell phones during dinner and when we were all hanging out, talking. My mom hadn't seen her grandkids in weeks.

Seemed rude to me, but I don't have kids.

Maybe I'm just too old-fashioned??

Thoughts?

[kimm4]

As a parent I don't allow them during dinner. I do the same thing when going out to dinner. I don't have a cell phone and I prefer face to face conversations, where you actually look at and talk to each other.

Weird I know...

I wanted to add it's not just kids, the adults are just as bad...

[deadwoodgregg]

No cell phones. That's one of the few remaining times/places that today's family regularly come together as a unit. Phone calls, vidia games, and internet should not ruin this time. It is a sad day when a family cannot be entertained by good grub and face to face talk.

[UnaChispita]

I don't have a cell phone and I prefer face to face conversations, where you actually look at and talk to each other.

Weird I know...

LOL. I don't have a cell either. You and I might be the last two in America

And...agreed. I think we're losing the art of conversation.

It's funny--I still go to the bank once a week on Saturdays for free coffee and to talk with the tellers. So few people come in, all the tellers recognize me and know me by name...and its a big bank. Kind of off topic, but it shows how isolated/separated we are bc of technology.

I wanted to add it's not just kids, the adults are just as bad...

I totally agree. I was out with a friend and she was on her cell the entire time...got totally pissed and asked her if she needed to reschedule us hanging out.

No cell phones. That's one of the few remaining times/places that today's family regularly come together as a unit. Phone calls, vidia games, and internet should not ruin this time. It is a sad day when a family cannot be entertained by good grub and face to face talk.

I agree. I'm not even sure if families have time to eat together anymore either.

[SteveWright1]

I do not have such a rule at present
with children aged 12 and 6, it is not an issue
but will certainly have such a rule when the time comes

agree that mobile phones can be a real pain when being used at inappropriate times
I learned to turn mine off during meal times ( because other peoples meal times may not be the same as mine and had too many work related calls once dinner was out )

[mcbourque]

I was not allowed to read at the dinner table as a kid (and I was a book work) and I don't allow my boys to use their phone at the table either. Even if they polish their plate in 5 min, it's still a no-phone 5 min! LOL

At 12 and 14, they are constantly on their phone. That is the least they can do! (Also when we have a conversation - no phones)

Una, that's sound pretty rude of your nephews IMO. At least not for the whole visit and not at dinner (I'll admit my boys can get pretty bored after a couple of hours visiting adult relatives so I'll allow the phone then)

[bodyhard]

I am too busy on my cell to notice if anyone else is on theirs.

[so-tex]

Una, you're not being old fashioned, it's called manners. ^^^Lol^^^ @ BH.

[baker]

One phone. Playing jazz or classical. The kids enjoy it and seem to be calmer.

[Wyomann]

My GF and i had to put monitors on each other cause we would tend to bust out the phones at dinner sometimes.

[latebloomingmom]

cell phones at dinner????? oooooo hell no

[ProPhaze777]

Sons 4 now but it won't be allowed ever, it blows my mind that he knows how to use it and find games etc both on it and the kindle. I try to keep him busy doing other stuff like playing outside or building stuff because he is drawn to electronics like a magnet.

I can't imagine what the next couple generations will be like.

[hitman79]

It drives me nuts when I go out to dinner and see a family (or even couple) spending the whole time looking down at their phone.

My kids arent old enough for a phone yet but definitely no phone at the diner table at my house.

[mirroroferised]

Mykids are 8 6 and 3 so no cells yet but ipods aren't allowed at the table and the rule is ready to go when they do get phones.

[Phattso]

My GF and i had to put monitors on each other cause we would tend to bust out the phones at dinner sometimes.

One day all that living on the edge is going to catch up on you.

Sorry, Oonie-Noonie, but this thread has already gone too far

[UnaChispita]

I am too busy on my cell to notice if anyone else is on theirs.

Una, you're not being old fashioned, it's called manners. ^^^Lol^^^ @ BH.

TY so-tex!
I get a lot of grief from my family bc I don't have a cell phone.

One day all that living on the edge is going to catch up on you.

Sorry, Oonie-Noonie, but this thread has already gone too far

I just can't believe this thread hasn't derailed yet.

[Sullivan0930]

We used iPads as our table cloths in my house. We modern as phuk cuz

[Phattso]

I just can't believe this thread hasn't derailed yet.

Well, you do cause quite the commotion

[MiklaDfar]

4 boys and a girl... youngest is 20. Never had many rules, never had a need. I talk (hold conversations) with my kids and we have always had great time together and could talk about anything. So no rule on cell phones, they all have them, but just don't use them when we have dinner together or are just hanging out... too busy enjoying each other...

[ooDC]

I dont use my phone over dinner. But at easter we were in the restaurant for 3 hrs so i pulled my phone out like 3 times, but only on for like a min each time

[cowboybiker]

I only use mine to take pics of my food and upload to it to several different sites.

So technically, I'm not using the phone.

[GuyJin]

I only use mine to take pics of my food and upload to it to several different sites.

So technically, I'm not using the phone.

---

Nah, you're just grossing everyone else out.



My sons are 14 and 10, and they're not getting a cellphone until they're in high school and even then I'm not sure. I always turn mine off at dinner because family time is important to me.

[hmmmm16417]

As a parent I don't allow them during dinner. I do the same thing when going out to dinner. I don't have a cell phone and I prefer face to face conversations, where you actually look at and talk to each other.

Weird I know...

I wanted to add it's not just kids, the adults are just as bad...

my daughter is 2 1/2...not an issue yet, but I will not let her have toys at the dinner table. I tell my wife that if she plays with her food, she can eat her toys!

my son (now 19) wasn't allowed to have a cell phone until he was 14...that was his 14th birthday present - he used to cry "but just about everyone I know has one, what happens if there is an emergency" .... I simply told him " if all your friends have them, or everyone you know....then you will always be with someone that has one so you don't need one yet"

LOL. I don't have a cell either. You and I might be the last two in America

And...agreed. I think we're losing the art of conversation.

It's funny--I still go to the bank once a week on Saturdays for free coffee and to talk with the tellers. So few people come in, all the tellers recognize me and know me by name...and its a big bank. Kind of off topic, but it shows how isolated/separated we are bc of technology.
.

yes, kids need to associate more verbally!!!!! unfortunately, society promotes otherwise. banks around here are eliminating face to face tellers. a couple have them behind a wall and you talk through video monitor (even when you go inside!!)....annoying.


OP, I actually do use my cell phone at the table.....but ONLY when i'm done eating I enter it into myfitnesspal for may calories/macros to see if I can have a second helping or desert LMAO

[cowboybiker]

Some people get pissy when I take pics of their food in restaurants.

Some of them are down right jerks.

[GuyJin]

Some people get pissy when I take pics of their food in restaurants.

Some of them are down right jerks.

---

Most of them get downright mad when I ask for a taste...but not from the side they've already bitten into or cut. I like my meal to be virginal when I eat it.

Some people just don't get the concept of sharing...

[UnaChispita]

yes, kids need to associate more verbally!!!!! unfortunately, society promotes otherwise. banks around here are eliminating face to face tellers. a couple have them behind a wall and you talk through video monitor (even when you go inside!!)....annoying.

Technology is cool and all. I love being able to skype with friends from all over and such, so I'm not complaining, but it just seems like people have forgotten about the importance of face to face interaction.

Some people get pissy when I take pics of their food in restaurants.

Some of them are down right jerks.

The nerve!

---
Some people just don't get the concept of sharing...

LOL...yep. Let the derailing begin!

[cowboybiker]

The least they could do is stop eating while I'm trying to take pics.

C'mon people! Give me a friggen break!

[hmmmm16417]

The least they could do is stop eating while I'm trying to take pics.

C'mon people! Give me a friggen break!

hahaha i would politely ask you to wait a couple hours then take a pic of that same food

[mirroroferised]

Some people get pissy when I take pics of their food in restaurants.

Some of them are down right jerks.

lol

[ajdahlheimer]

Mykids are 8 6 and 3 so no cells yet but ipods aren't allowed at the table and the rule is ready to go when they do get phones.

Similar here. My kids are 9, 8, and 6--don't have cells yet--but they each have their own tablet. It's honestly never came up because they know that the dinner table is the place to eat and nothing else.