Do you allow phones on the meal table?

@thebos (5965)
Kisumu, Kenya
May 16, 2024 12:13pm CST
Hello friends Having a meal together is one of the important moment a family has. On the meal table all members get to share there experience of the day and there achievements. But nawadays I see that many, especially the children go with their phones to the meal and concentrate on both the meal and the phone. It's hard to understand this but in our family I can't allow phones on the meal tables. What about you do you allow?
8 people like this
9 responses
@HaruLoid (1293)
• Philippines
17 May
We allow phones on the meal tables because we make sure that we are able to immediately answer any urgent calls or messages. Using phones on the meal tables for other stuff is something that we don't do because we find it disrespectful. However, there are cases that we put one gadget on the table and play a certain movie or show. Having to watch something while we eat our meals can also create a certain bond between us. It becomes something special that we only do together as well.
@thebos (5965)
• Kisumu, Kenya
17 May
That sounds very reasonable indeed for only urgent calls and messages, thanks for that, and if I may ask when doing something important like prayer don't you think phones should be silent or off
1 person likes this
@HaruLoid (1293)
• Philippines
17 May
@thebos I do definitely think that they should be silent or turned off. The matter of sacredness that surrounds prayer and devotion should be well-respected and -retained. The act of prayer is the only means for us to connect with our spiritual selves and detach from the physicality of our world. We cannot truly appreciate spirituality if we let a certain part of ourself stay in the physical world.
@psanasangma (6329)
• India
17 May
Personally I prefer not to have mobile phone around while eating my meals. It is another distraction for me and besides it looks disrespectful towards your meal also
1 person likes this
• India
17 May
@thebos Silent without vibration or else better switch off your mobile
@thebos (5965)
• Kisumu, Kenya
17 May
That is very right indeed, and what about when doing something important like prayer or talking to someone, should the phones be off or silent?
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (59718)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 May
It's just my husband, cat and Me. George and I don't have the atypical tradational family dinners. I keep my phone nearby, but I don't use it. Between George's current health problems and my own, having a way to call for help is important.
1 person likes this
@thebos (5965)
• Kisumu, Kenya
17 May
Having your phone near, is indeed reasonable, especially for emergency, hope you and George are doing well
@JudyEv (328095)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 May
I'm not sure what happens here but it wouldn't be allowed in our house. They should be able to spend a meal-time without their phones.
1 person likes this
@thebos (5965)
• Kisumu, Kenya
17 May
Taking meals without distractions is being healthy too, do you prefer putting your phone off or silent when interacting with people or in a special place like church
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328095)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 May
@thebos I rarely use my phone at all and mostly forget to take it with me when I go anywhere.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (95995)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
16 May
My relatives do not allow phone at the dinner table at all.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (95995)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
17 May
@thebos That is true.
@thebos (5965)
• Kisumu, Kenya
17 May
Wow, that is for the best indeed, putting away all the distractions during meals
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60711)
• Perth, Australia
16 May
@thebos Honestly, it depends on whose at the table and the vibe. My dad and I don't have a table. Sometimes we sit in the loungeroom to talk or watch TV or he will go to his room and I sit in the loungeroom. If ever there is some family outing where we sit and eat, I prefer to keep my phone down. Unless it's people I don't wish to talk to.
1 person likes this
@thebos (5965)
• Kisumu, Kenya
17 May
Hope you are not that much distracted by the phones notifications while eating
1 person likes this
• Perth, Australia
17 May
@thebos Nah. I am not attached to my phone like a majority of people are nowadays.
@LindaOHio (160234)
• United States
17 May
We don't have smartphones and we tend to eat meals separately. Have a good day.
@grenery8 (3774)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
17 May
i ask nicely but i can't force grownups. if they decide to listen to me, then there is no phone at table policy
• India
29 May
In case of urgencies, we do answer the phones even while at dinner table. Otherwise, strictly no! This is because it is big turn offs for others .Plus you cannot enjoy your food. I do not answer calls which are not urgent while having food.