Miami Woman Wants You to Stop Talking on Your Phone During Dinner

By Hannah Sentenac Tue., Oct. 30 2012 at 1:00 PM

Courtesy of Ban Cell Phones from Restaurants' Facebook page

Like an unattached arm or leg, smartphones have become an indispensable part of the human anatomy. In the age of instant communication, it's difficult to imagine life without Mr. Samsung or iPhone by our side. And God forbid we should make it through a meal without tweeting, Instagramming, and Foodspotting our cuisine of choice.

In response, some restaurants across the country are instituting no-cell-phone policies in the dining room or taking other measures to keep customers in check. Miami's own Michy's has instituted a Sensational Sundays dinner series during which patrons are encouraged to forgo their phones in exchange for free cupcakes. In general, though, diners in the 305 are free to remain glued to their digital devices as they see fit.

But one Miami woman is sick of having her meals disturbed by loud talkers, drama queens, and live-tweeters who just can't separate themselves from their smartphones.

(As journalists, we're as guilty as the next guy, but we have to admit -- it would be nice to eat an undisturbed meal every once in a while. And revisit the art of eye contact.)

After almost being run down by a dude who was driving and texting, Julie Liberty took to Facebook to voice her frustrations. She started the page Ban Cell Phones From Restaurants and soon discovered she wasn't alone. People from across the country chimed in to express their anger.

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Paulie

Oh yeah, this is a FAB trend. When anyone comes over for chow to our place, "cels off" is the only rule we have. The people who are glued to em are (to put it kindly) ridiculous.

Manu Simnt

how dare you threatening my freedom. this is the us and I do what I want where I want when i want, no matter what it does to others.... ;-)

Daniel Valiente

I'm at a restaurant reading this and eating at the same damn time

Em Azin

YES!!! what's worse is that now even the EMPLOYEES eat crap on their phones too! I HATE THAT!!!

Kristofer Jesus Castellar

< Hate's Cars, And Phones . . . Ride Bike, & Get A John Phone Instead ;)

kaliio

"One California man posted the above picture from a waterfront eatery with the following comment: "I took this at South Beach Bar & Grille in Ocean Beach Ca. this upstairs dining area has a full ocean view . However they are absorbed in the dumb phones ...Put the thing down and get in the now ..."--- and how did we suppose this man took the picture??