| I entered my favorite restaurant and was seated | | | | subject to several others, all handled by the user |
| with menu in hand and the latest | | | | in the same loud, frustrating manner. |
| recommendations from the chef's kitchen. I was | | | | What makes them think that their cell phone |
| ready to order an appetizer. I was preparing for a | | | | conversations are of the slightest interest to |
| lovely evening with my wife. As I looked around | | | | anyone else? Can we not even eat a meal |
| to the table to the right, I knew instantly trouble | | | | without this type of distraction? |
| was about to begin. | | | | Late last year and throughout this year, cell phone |
| The cell phone had just come boldly out of his | | | | use in restaurants has become a topic of |
| pocket and I just hoped he would be discreet. | | | | conversation. Many restaurants especially in New |
| Unfortunately, the guy had to show with his | | | | York have begun to ban them from their dining |
| bellowing voice at least ten surrounding tables of | | | | areas. A recent ABC poll found nearly 60% of |
| patrons how important he thought he was. This | | | | people surveyed had been bothered by bad cell |
| went on for a good ten minutes. His language , | | | | phone behavior and nearly half supported banning |
| manner and loud tone were all designed to solicit | | | | them in dining areas of restaurants. Both these |
| attention like the last adolescent in a large family | | | | numbers have shown dramatic increases from |
| begging for parental preference. | | | | earlier polls. |
| The problem with cell phones in restaurants is the | | | | Restaurants have rules against pets and smoking. |
| cell phone owners misuse of the technology | | | | Many require a certain attire or jacket. They |
| through poor etiquette, and rude , boorish | | | | know that great food is only part of the dining |
| behavior. It is this self centered, "the world | | | | experience for their business. They know that |
| revolves around me" attitude that infuriates | | | | atmosphere is very important as well. |
| people out for a quiet meal, walk, subway ride or | | | | They should ban the cell phone in the dining area |
| even in the movie theater. The rude cell phone | | | | to create the proper atmosphere for everyone |
| user is loud, indiscreet, has a high degree of self | | | | to enjoy their meal before many unfortunate |
| importance, and behaves this way on every call. | | | | patrons are forced to order earplugs with their |
| After you get through one call, you are often | | | | appetizers. |