Step away from the smartphone! According to an article just featured in The New York Times, otherwise plugged-in, tech-savvy, and successful trendsetters are switching off from their phones and urging their friends to do the same.
Take the “phone stack,” in which a group of friends meeting for dinner turn off their ringers and place them in a stack on the table, out of reach. Or bigwigs like fashion designer Marc Jacobs, who refuses to take his phone to bed. Others are putting their iPhones away when they get home, so they won’t be distracted by beeps and chimes when they’re trying to enjoying a conversation and time with the family.
Even parties are cracking down on the cellphones. Having noticed countless people Instagramming, tweeting, and texting at the last few events I’ve been to, I have to say that it’s pretty refreshing to hear about party hosts asking guests to check their phones at the door and exempt from posting on social networks. What ever happened to good ol’ conversation over deviled eggs and cocktails?
Would you institute a phone ban at your next dinner party? I have to say, I like the idea. I know it’s great to have a phone around in case of emergencies, but I find it frustrating when the person I’m dining with can’t pry their eyes and hands off their iPhones or iPads. I’d love to see this trend continue!