Every time you go see a live show, or a movie at the cinema, we are told to be courteous to other by turning off our cell phones, yet, every time I go out for a nice meal I see other dinner parties where at least one of the diners is on his or her cell phone. I have to admit that I've checked my cell phone during dinner a time or two, but I'm not proud of it. Which is why I find the phone signal repelling Phonekerchief so charmingly ingenious.
The Phonekerchief by The Way We See the World (available at Uncommon Goods for $15) is made out of silver fibers that efficiently block incoming texts and calls. I know what you are going to say, so let me say it for you: why should you purchase a handkerchief that serves the same purpose as an off button? Well, this is a cute, quirky, and easy way of letting your guests know that you would like them to put their phones away and come together for a nice meal and good conversation. After all, you took the time to put together a nice dinner party where conversation should be the focal point. The Phonekerchief will ensure that conversation will not be interrupted by your guests' cellphone. Your guests will undoubtedly appreciate it.
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I will definitely have these at my next passive-aggressive dinner party.
In my perfect we wouldn't need these. In my real world, I make it perfectly clear what I think of cell phones at the dinner table - no need for dainty little cloths!
not so sure about the napkins, but I do like the tulips on the table. They add a nice touch of fresh green and visual texture.
Whatmatchesblack-
I want to go to there!
-Potpie
Ugh. Very passive aggressive. I guess it would work, though, by ensuring that no one would come back to your dinner parties, so you would never have to see them check their phone at dinner again.
The cute little hanky is Photoshopped into the dinner table picture. lol.
I think putting these at your guests places is even more rude than having the phone ring at the table!
I am wondering how many posts in a week or two can revolve around this question.....
I am not usually an advocate of passive aggressiveness, and I certainly think it is rude to point out other people's rudeness, but I would totally get this for my boyfriend, who has a weird relationship with his iPhone. Kind of as a joke, kind of seriously. But I don't think I know people I would invite to a dinner party who would be on their phone to the point where I would need to buy passive aggressive napkins.
Am I the only one that notices the possibility of burning the tulips?
i gotta tell ya- I love this. Yes, I wish I didn't need it but what prompt the interest was this: At a wedding, and at the dinner table, one of my friends' boyfriend was on his phone the entire freakin time!! sitting directly across from me, it was driving me crazy!! She snatched it from him twice and it didn't do any good. I've never seen such rudeness and yet I felt it was not my place saying something. Im all about this lil gadget.
Passive aggressiveness, please, if people do not know how to use and not to use the phone it is totally ok to point it out to them. Phone has become this thing that you have to have in your hand non stop. People used to smoke when they got nervous, now they flip their phones, just like Paris Hilton. If you have a dinner, turn off your phone, even better, leave it in your coat pocket. There is nothing so important you can not take care off later, and if there is, then do not attend the dinner.
This seems too passive aggressive to me. What's wrong with just telling your guest straight out how you feel about cell phones at the table? Occasionally someone might have a good reason for leaving the phone on - expecting an important call, a family member is sick and might need to call, etc. I normally turn my phone on vibrate and place it in my pocket - if it were to go off, I'd discreetly as possible glance at it and if it's important I'd just excuse myself from the table.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when I go out for dinner with friends and they take out their cellphones and plunk them right on the table, so there's *no way in hell* they can miss a call/text.
I'm sorry, but I'm taking the time out of my day to enjoy your company, the returned gesture would be appreciated, kay, thanks.
I have many friends who are on their phone constantly, to the point that it's impossible to have a conversation (ever) without being interrupted. It hasn't even occurred to them that others might consider this rude, so I think these are a great idea. It avoids any awkwardness, yet gets the message across.
krisse - Sometimes there are important phone calls and someone shouldn't feel like they have to miss the fun because of it. I keep my cell phone practically attached to my hip lately since I'm expecting the phone call any day now that my grandmother has died. She chose not to replace the pacemaker battery and it'll be any day now but it also could means it could be weeks or possibly months. So for months I shouldn't go to any kind of dinner party, hang out with friends, etc?
How about just not being bothered by it.
Clearly it doesn't bother the person with the phone, so why get wound up. Life's too short!
I have broken a couple of friends of this habit by treating their "phone time" as my "alone time". If I'm in a restaurant, I pull out a book & read; or have a leisurely visit to the ladies room; on the way back to the table, I might stop & chat with the bartender....These people need privacy for their important phone conversations. I say let 'em have it.
While I definitely think it's rude to talk on or use your phone during dinner (and many other social occasions), there is one important point missing from the conversation. I have to bring my phone, and have it on, if I go out to a nice dinner so that I can be reached in case of an emergency by my babysitter. I leave it on vibrate and ignore all other calls, but I have to have it.
ChrisGal, I am sorry to hear about your grandmother and I hope you spend a lot of time with her now. Of course you can spend time with your friends. Turn off your phone or put in silent, get up and leave the table and check your phone calls. You can do this easily in between the different meal courses without disturing anyone else. If you are with your close friends informally, I am sure they understand. I have a small daughter. When I am with my friends I leave the table to make the phonecall or check my messages just to make sure everything is fine. Please do not go to the theater, opera, ballet etc. if you need to check your phone. I have witnessed a woman texting during a ballet performance. There is no excuse for that.
krisse -- Thank you. Luckily I have very understanding friends who would never tell me to just turn the phone off and check it later knowing I would want to know the second someone called to tell me the news. I am not going to want to hear a voicemail that goes like this: "___, this is your mom. I can't believe you're making me put this on your voicemail, but your grandmother passed away."