Why do some people get so angry when someone uses their cell phone in a restaurant?

Question

I don't see what the big deal is. Whether they're talking into their phone or talking to someone at their table it's almost the same. I can understand why people would get angry if they're at the movies. People shouldn't be talking at all in the movie theatre, but what's the big deal when you're at a restaurant?

Answer 1

i've noticed those on cells phones seem to talk louder than those in a restaurant. or when i worked as a waitress and was in the middle of taking someone's order, they would answer a call. i felt completely disrespected as they expected me to wait while i had other people to serve.

Answer 2

There are some resturants that are louder than others. If you're in one of those than using a cell is not really so much an issue for me. But if you're in a resturant that is a bit more subdued, like and Outback Steakhouse let's say, then I would be upset if someone talked on their cell phone. The reason is, when you talk on a cell, your volumn goes up and you actually hear that person far better than if he were just having a conversation at his table. I also don't want to hear the ring when I'm in a resturant because of the close quarters. Set it on vibrate, and if it rings step outside. It's just common courtesy. But then again, in this day and age that seems to be disappearing.

Answer 3

Because these people are extremely "LOUD" and they interupt everybody else's conversation around them in the restaurant. That is why people get so angry and mad when people use their cell phone in a restaurant. I mean everybody around them that can hear them may as well be apart of there conversation because they can hear them very clearly. Sometimes you can't even hear yourself think because they are so loud all the time! Not just some of the time all the time. We'll you asked the question so here is my answer.

Answer 4

I find it offensive if the person I am eating with starts a conversation on their cell phone. If the phone call is so important, they should excuse themselves from the table. If it is not important, they can wait until after the meal. In general, other people talking on phones in the restaurant don't bother me. However, sometimes their voice tends to go up several decibels when their on the phone. If they can speak into their phone using an appropriate volume level (such as one they would have speaking to the people at the table with them) then I am okay with them being on the phone.

Answer 5

When people talk into a phone they do in fact talk louder in a louder environment such as a restaurant because they cannot hear the person they are talking to as well and assume they require a louder voice to be heard. They always over talk the crowd and as such, become a spectacle. It may also annoy the curious, as there are no responses to agree or disagree with.

Answer 6

Maybe because people who are talking on cell phones tend to be ignoring the REAL people all around them. It's my observation that people who use cell phones in restaurants tend to speak loud enough that they intrude on the people around them. It's also rude to the waiter/waitresses who may need to ask about refills on drinks, etc.

I guess what it comes down to: for most of us, a restaurant meal is viewed as moment of relaxation and a time to talk to the people who are with us at the table, to enjoy their company and their conversation. When you've got someone in the middle of all this with the glassy-eyed stare that phone talkers have, deliberately ignoring everyone/thing around them while they semi-yell into their phone, it's a jarring note and not in harmony with the setting. You inevitably wonder why the person talking into the phone is bothering to pay for the setting of a restaurant and keeping company with the people they are sitting with, if they are so intent on cutting themselves off from the setting by talking on the phone.

A practical aside: with the ambient noise at a restaurant and the lack of privacy that the person talking on the phone has, it seems to me that talking on the cell phone in this setting would be very unpleasant and not conducive to enjoying a restaurant meal. I always wonder why people do this to themselves. Don't they enjoy eating at a restaurant? What can they possibly be getting out of the phone conversation conducted under such trying circumstances, that beats eating a nice meal in a relaxed setting and talking face-to-face with people whose company you enjoy?

Answer 7

It didn't use to bother me but after spending some time in China where people seem to be glued to their phones, but do so really loudly and so on...I now get really cheesed off when people talk (loudly) on their cell phones in restuarants. It feels, disrespectful? like an invasion of my privacy if you know what I mean. I especially hate it when people I'm with use their cellphones while we're at a restuarant unless it's work-related or family and even then I expect them to excuse themselves and to speak quietly.

Answer 8

I have been in restaurants when another patron/customer has been on his/her cell phone. They speak loudly- everyone within hearing range can hear the entire conversation. If this person was talking to a fellow diner, he/she would use a lower, more moderated voice.

When I was younger, we were not allowed to talk on the phone while we were eating dinner. Dinner came first. We were to call our friends back after dinner.

My question is, why not wait until AFTER one leaves the restaurant to talk on the phone? What is so important that one has to interrupt a dinner to talk?

It's very rude to talk on cell phones- not only to the other dinners but to the wait staff as well.

Answer 9

Because a phone conversation is suppose to personal. Everyone in the world doesn't want to know what you are talking about. Its the same thing if your standing in a checkout gabbing on your cell phone while a polite cashier is trying to ring you out. Your gabbing the cashier doesn't want to interrupt, so your milk doesn't get put in a sack, or say you wanted it in a sack but your too busy gabbing.

Think about the Waiter or the waitress that waited on you. Does she really want to hear you gabbing while she is politely trying to take your order. But your too busy gabbing on the phone? Think about it from our perspective!

Answer 10

Usually people get angry because that's rude to take a phone call while having dinner. It is apropriate to excuse yourself and leave the room. Most people have this kind of ettiquette and when others ignore it, it tends to anger some people. I don't know what type of restaurants you frequent. Most people complain about the noise. Of course, it shouldn't bother you when you only go to fast food restaurants. Thank you.