Debu-chan, a popular ramen restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, has recently instituted a policy prohibiting the use of mobile phones during meals. This decision was made in order to reduce wait periods and maintain the quality of the food.
No cell phones during meals! Does it sound like a change? (Image: Shutterstock (For illustrative purposes only))
No cell phones during meals! Does it sound like a change? (Image: Shutterstock (For illustrative purposes only))
Eat with your eyes before your phones!
Caterina’s, a recently opened restaurant in Texas in 2022, requested that patrons leave their phones with the hostess or host upon arrival in order to improve the dining experience. In 2019, the proprietor of the New York City restaurant Il Triangolo posted a modest sign that read “no cellphones on the table.”
In 2017, the British restaurant The Waterside Inn posted a sign prohibiting diners from photographing their meals. In 2017, a McDonald’s location in Singapore launched a “Phone off. Fun on.” campaign in which customers could deposit their phones in containers.
Last year, however, Acquafarina, an Italian restaurant in Vancouver, suspended the prohibition and welcomed guests to use their cellphones and cameras.
So, will city restaurants follow suit?
“The notion itself is quite intriguing, but putting it into practice can be difficult. In the context of the vlogger and influencer culture, social media content drives sales. Therefore, a ‘no phone’ policy could be detrimental to business,” says Little Italia’s Ramninder Sandhu.
The majority of culinary enterprises survive and attract new customers based on positive online reviews and ratings. According to Veena Mathur of Pind Punjabi, requesting that customers refrain from using their mobile devices while dining feels hypocritical and pompous under these conditions. “In our country, dining out is still a luxury for many, and social media is where people want to store their recollections. “Therefore, the ‘no phone’ policy is impractical,” she continues.
“The concept seems intriguing. And some consumers may even find it intriguing. However, making it a rule will not work in the long term. It could work if we offer a choice and perhaps additional discounts for those who choose not to use mobile phones in the restaurant,” says Arhaan of Nawabi Gali.
Zeenia, from Greedy Dragonz, concurs that incentivizing and making the policy optional are the only ways to make this a success.