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Cell-phone free

Turn off that phone. Here's a good press release:

Effective immediately, Nancy Tesmer and Kathy Webb of Lilly’s Dim Sum, and Capi Peck and Brent Peterson of Trio’s, have made their respective restaurants cell phone-free.  The four business owners said that cell phone use is disruptive to other patrons, creates excessive noise in the dining rooms, and is just plain out of control.  The four say that they want to enhance the dining experience for their patrons, just as going smoke free did, and create an oasis in the 24/7 wired world in which we live.  Tesmer, Webb, Peck, and Peterson encourage other restaurants to follow suit, and will be happy to share their tips with fellow restaurateurs who want to go cell phone-free but are not sure of the best way.  Also, Lilly’s is creating a list of cell phone free restaurants on their website for customers’ convenience.

Webb says that feedback has been extremely positive.  “Most people read the sign at the host stand, or the article in our newsletter, and turn their phones off.  We have gone to a couple of groups and quietly asked them to finish their conversation outside.  Customers are thanking us for doing this.”  For tips on going cell phone free successfully, or to be listed on the Lilly’s website, please call 716-2700 or email
lilly@lillysdimsum.com.

Posted by Max Brantley on June 15, 2007 05:30 AM |

Comments

Once upon a time I had younger kiddos at home and the rare night out with the missus meant keeping the cell phone handy in case of a call.

I still see that when I venture out. I've seen folks standing outside the restrooms and heard them checking in on their young 'uns.

And for most of us, that's not a problem. The quick (ie minute or less) answer of a call isn't an annoyance, but jeez too often you hear people gabbing away and of course they talk louder than normal conversation.

They are a pox on the world. I don't venture across the river a lot to eat out but I now know a couple places that have moved well up my list.

Posted by: Well [TypeKey Profile Page] | June 15, 2007 10:30 AM

It was YEARS ago that my husband proclaimed, one night when our dinner at Riverfront Steakhouse was continually disrupted by the guy at the next table on his (what was at the time called "mobile") phone, that if he ran a restaurant he would punish phone-talking patrons by plucking and artfully placing one body-hair in their dinner. I'm glad it hasn't come to that yet.

Posted by: Belinda [TypeKey Profile Page] | June 15, 2007 09:27 PM

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