Shold Cellphones Be Banned in Restaurants?

Everything has it's place. Cell phones are included in almost everyone's daily life. My cell phone is my primary phone as I am always on the go and need to be reached at a moment's notice. There should not be a ban on cellphones in restaurants. Hospitals and examination centers have cellphones banned for a specific reason. The cellphones interfere with the operation and function of the equipment being used. Even pacemakers can be affected by cellphone use around them in hospital rooms, and other medical places.

Cellphones while working are prohibited also with good reason. The company is clearly paying you to work, not to socialize on your phone with friends or anyone else. So, a ban on cellphones here is also okay. The same goes for talking on your cellphone while driving. There are too many idiot drivers across the country driving like a bat out of hell for you not to pay attention to the road. Bluetooth or wireless handsets are better than the physical cellphone, but in a heated "who did what to whom" conversation, it's better to keep the conversation off the road. One can get too distracted during any conversation and accidents are more likely to occur on the road because of them.

Now, restaurants are a whole different thing. When I go out, the last thing I want to hear is an obnoxious ring tone of the person behind us. Especially if they ignore the call and the caller decides to phone the person 50 times until they finally pick up and start drama. However, cellphones shouldn't be banned in restaurants. If I was at a restaurant without my son, and the babysitter needed to contact us, of course I would answer my cellphone and talk to them. Emergencies do happen, and one should be allowed to be prepared for them. People with cellphones should follow certain guidelines of respect for others and etiquette while using their phones in restaurants and other public places.

First, unless you are severely hard of hearing, keep your ring on the lowest possible setting. Low enough for you to hear if need be, but not too loud as to offend people around you. I don't want to hear the rap ring tone blaring about how you like big butts and you cannot lie while I'm eating dinner with family. And I most certainly don't want to hear about who's baby daddy cheated on the baby momma with a dirty girl and had another baby with...well you get the point. Remember that voice does travel. If it's absolutely necessary for you to use your cellphone at a restaurant, either get up from the table and go to the main entrance or lobby of the restaurant, or keep your voice at a respectable level so it doesn't interfere with other people's conversation or sanity. As long as people are respectful of others while using their cellphones, I don't see it necessary to ban them.