Introducing the phone stack
Amanda loves this new way of enforcing cell phone etiquette
Credit: Roo Reynolds
Have you heard of the "phone stack"? I first heard the expression yesterday, and I'm already in love with this idea.
As this post from Kempt explains, a phone stack works like this: When you're out having dinner with a group of friends, everyone is required to place their phone face-down in the middle of the table. If you're going for something more literal, you can actually stack your phones on top of each other (pictured).
As you're all enjoying your food you will be tempted by the vibrations and beeps coming from the stack. But here's where it gets tricky: no one is allowed to touch their phone. And the first person who does has to pick up the tab.
I think this is an awesome and fun way to combat chronic phone-checking during what is supposed to be a social activity (and I'm one of the worst offenders). It's like a game! A game where the goal is to learn manners!
My question is, how could this idea be adapted for dinner parties? I once had a guest keep her phone on the table throughout the meal and check every single text that came in. Obviously a guest isn't expected to pay for anything, so how could we make the phone stack technique work in this situation?
What do you think of the "phone stack"? Would you ever try it?
Photo by Roo Reynolds via Flickr.
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dd (not verified) says ....
Make them clean up or wash dishes...?
Tiffany7781 (not verified) says ....
My phone has Voice Caller ID, which would be great for this game in the case of an emergency.. I would do great with it, sounds like something I might like...
Laurie Yoon (not verified) says ....
One idea for those who have to watch for emergencies (babysitters etc) or who are on call would be to set the ring tone for those callers to be something distinct that you would recognize as being a call you must respond to. Everything else gets ignored.
Amanda Factor says ....
Victoria: Great idea!
Sara H (not verified) says ....
We have 4 kids and when we go out we still tell the sitter where we are going...old fashioned I know. In a true emergency, she can still get ahold of us.
I know that I for one am sick of phone rudeness...our parents left the house without cell phones for a few hours. Surely we can too!
Marj (not verified) says ....
I think its a great idea, but like some of the other commenters said, in some situations it isn't appropriate. For me, I am on stand by or "call" every second week at the hospital and I have to be able to answer my phone. At the same time, I don't have to look at every single "notification" that comes through!
LyndaE (not verified) says ....
I agree with SarahM06. The first thought that came to my mind is that if I am actually out without the kids (whether at a dinner or just hanging with a friend shopping), I still have to able to check my phone. What if there is an emergency with one of my children? I agree that you shouldn't be glued to it, but as a mom, I couldn't at least make sure the call (thanks to caller ID) wasn't coming from school or babysitter before I ignore it.
Lisa Emerson (not verified) says ....
I am guilty of doing this and so are all of my friends...at a dinner party the first person who picks up the phone does the dishes or clean up.
Lisa Emerson (not verified) says ....
I am guilty of doing this and so are all of my friends...at a dinner party the first person who picks up the phone does the dishes or clean up.
Autumn (not verified) says ....
I LOVE this idea. I actually stopped going anywhere with 1 friend because she never spoke to me anymore, she was literally glued to her phone texting all the time. I have spent alot of time trying to teach my boys that family dinners require NO cell phone. I tell them the most important people to their lives are already sitting at the table with them.
SarahM06 (not verified) says ....
I really like this idea and can totally appreciate where it comes from. As a mom with two young kids if my phone goes off I need to be able to answer it, so it might not work for me.