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by Restaurants
- May 15, 2026
A few months ago, there was an interesting little debate taking place on a subset of British social media. In effect, it was a (friendly) discussion on the merits of heading to a pub alone – usually after work – for a solitary pint of beer. Some of the respondents chipped in with the opinion that they liked nothing better than twenty minutes of peace while scrolling through their phones.
As mentioned, the debate was friendly – rare on social media these days, we know – but it was also informative, giving an insight into people’s perspectives on using smartphones in spaces that are designed to be social ones. Some argued – correctly in our view – that people aren’t judged for reading a newspaper or book in a café or bar, so what’s the difference when reading a phone? You could be doing anything, from opening emails to playing online blackjack, but as long as you’re not bothering anyone, it shouldn’t be an issue, right?
The base case is respect for fellow patrons
In a restaurant, especially a fine dining establishment, it could be viewed as a different matter, however. What is the etiquette? Perhaps the starting point – the minimum base case we can all agree on – is having respect for fellow diners. That means taking a call outside, if you have to do it at all, and, most certainly, turning the volume down. There are numerous reports of restaurants having issues with patrons talking on speakerphones, which is clearly disrespectful.
If that’s the base case, then considering your surroundings is another factor to weigh up. Unless there is good reason, such as an emergency, speaking on a phone while interacting with a server is, again, disrespectful. Even leaving a phone lying on a table can lead to awkward moments, at times making it difficult for the server to place plates and glasses on the table. If they must be on the table, some restaurants recommend placing them face down and switching them to silent mode.
Going further into the ideas of etiquette, there is the impact it has on the company at your table. It doesn’t take a psychologist to point out that constantly using your phone can make you seem distracted or disinterested in your companions. Restaurants aren’t there to police your dates, but it should be viewed as common sense that scrolling is bad form.
We should acknowledge, too, that we are firmly in the era of TikTok and Instagram, and that, for some folks, smartphones are part of the dining experience. People want to take photos of their food, or even make videos for socials. Again, we’d say respect for fellow diners must be paramount, yet it’s worth noting, too, that this activity – whether you agree with the concept of influencing or not – can be beneficial for the eating establishment.
Some restaurants are calling time on smartphones
But what about when restaurants take action? Fox News recently reported on a growing phenomenon of bars and dining establishments taking steps to ensure that patrons switch off, with some going as far as providing pouches to slip the devices into while frequenting the establishment. We understand the reasoning behind this, as it helps people “enjoy the moment” (those are the words of Michelin-star chef Giorgio Locatelli on the subject), but should it be enforced at casual eateries and bars? It’s up to the establishment, we guess, but the intentions are in the right place.
We’ll finish with one of the biggest hot-button topics – kids on screens in restaurants. Arguably, the debate is a little bit more nuanced than uncaring parents wanting their kids to be quiet so they can enjoy their meals in peace. Indeed, many parents claim that they do it, not for their own benefit, but so that fellow diners can enjoy their meals without distraction. Indeed, it’s worth remembering that some kids may have conditions like ADHD, and access to a tablet might help them get through the meal. Again, though, a balance can be found between your kid’s screentime and respect for fellow diners. Nobody wants to hear Cocomelon nursery rhymes blasting out of an iPad while they enjoy their seafood chowder.
