Poll: Is it bad manners to text at the dinner table?
Do you or your kids send text messages while eating dinner?
The march of technology has created some new questions when it comes to table manners. We all know that it’s not acceptable to slurp soup straight from the bowl or to eat with our elbows on the table, but what about sending a quick email? Or a text? According to a study by LG earlier this year, it’s not at all uncommon for people to text at the dinner table: 42 percent of parents and 69 percent of kids admit to doing it. But does that make it okay?
Definitely not, says Cindy Post Senning, co-author of “Emily Post’s Table Manners for Kids” (HarperCollins 2009):
“The guideline is that you do not text message when you are involved in any type of social interaction – conversation, listening, in class, at a meeting or, especially, at the dinner table. If you really need to communicate with someone who is not at the event – or at the table – excuse yourself and then return as soon as you can.”
Without exception, nobody texts at my dinner table. Ever. That’s not because I consider it to be bad manners but because, as I explained in this post, there is no mobile coverage where I live. Problem solved! That said, if my family did have the ability to text, I certainly wouldn’t allow it at the dinner table, just as I don’t permit my son to use his iPod touch or other gadgets at the table – in fact, I’ve never allowed him to bring anything to the table: no toys, no nothing. To my mind, dinner is about interaction. It’s one of the few times during the day when the whole family is together and able to talk without being distracted by TV and computer screens and other gadgets and gizmos.
What do you think? Is it okay to text at the dinner table? Or is it as bad mannered as farting?
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obviously the person asking the question was never taught any manners at all. Personally I believe these instruments are responsible to the demise of the english language as we know it.
There is a time and place for everything and unless you are eating alone, I think that it extremely rude to have these devices at the dinner table. It,s bad enough when the phone rings and you have to leave your prepared plate to talk to someone. I,ll call you back later is the answer.
It makes me insane to be talking to someone who is constantly replying to text messages while we are having a discussion. I’ve seen/heard people talking on their phones while doing their banking with a teller, while checking in for a medical appointment, while using the facilities, and YES a patient answering his cell phone in the midst of a barium enema and ending up injuring himself on some equipment. I find it extremely rude and unnecessary. Unless it is a life/death situation (and I MEAN life and death) then cut the freaking cord people.
Well, I’m a 14 year old with a cell phone, and as soon as dinner comes, I put the phone on silent and in the next room. If a 14 year old gets it, why can’t others?
wow god for you and your parents! warren you have said it all i think. supper is the one time i get to spend at least 30 mins with my family as we work longer hours and lead busier lives in this day and age. we may be moving ahead in technology but losing sight of whats important.
I agree with all the above…..I work part time at M&M Meats people come in & expect to be servered talking on their phone I walk away & ignor them they are so rude
Call me connected, but I do — but depending on its importantance.
I have special tones set up for different things — like, for example, when I’m with my wife and the secretary I’m sleeping with messages me — that’s definitely an “excuse me” moment. But when it’s the CEO, I just text right then and there. ;)
Joking aside, I do text only if I’m expecting something important — otherwise, there’s a time and a place and most of the time it can wait 15-30mins.
Nothing is so imporatant you need to do “IT” at the dinner table. If you MUST than excuse yourself and leave the area…
P.S. your not funny.
i’m guessing that you don’t like getting your text messages back ASAP…
Warren I have to say you sound very mature for your age and are an example to 14 year olds everywhere.
I do not text at the dinner table, I would consider it very rude. I don’t think it’s appropriate to play with any toys or gadgets while eating – as mentioned, dinner should be about interaction…interaction with the other people at the dinner table with you, not interaction with your texting buddies or a game or whatever.
Thanks for the support… Dinner is the only time in my family when we all get to be together and sit down to spend some quality time. Why ruin it?
I can think of worse things to do, afterall, I am an important person. The world revolves around me. One missed call, one missed text and we could all be facing nuclear war, the next stock market crash or something much worse. Maybe what surprises me most is the fact that someone would even ask the question. There is a world full of people that would not hesitate to do so, and as many that would never consider it to be reasonable or polite. I have to hope Karma will apply to all the rude amd arrogant people that are ruled by technology and their own self-importance.
it is rude to text while in the middle of a conversation with others.
it is rude to text while at the dinner table.
cellphones are a device which magically dispel manners.
it is rude to use one while being served.
and most of all it is amazingly irresponsible to use one while driving unless it is one hundred percent hands free and voice activated only.
people manage to conduct affairs both private and public allover the world day in and day out without having to stop everything cause their “leash” is yanked.
if you must be connected while driving, insist your employer absorbs the cost of your business requirements.
if you get ina car accident, always ask for the other drivers cell number.
if you can prove they were talking on the phone while driving you can probably prove negligence as well.
Where have we arrived at in society that not only was someone paid to write this, we also have to have a poll.
Of course it is rude. Just because so many people believe in their own self importance does not make them in the right.
Ruby–couldn`t agree more.
Warren–good for you.
Entree–sorry but unless you are part of a volunteer fire brigade or an on call paramedic, nothing is so important you must leave a dinner table for a phone call or worse, use the dinner table as your desk.
Alice–there is a story I would love to hear….really hurt himself on the equipment? My imagination is REALLY busy right now!
It is up to us, the parents of RIGHT NOW to instill proper behaviour in our children. Cell phones are a modern concern and if we wish to see adults with manners we need to start with our own kids. Personally, while Warren seems a responsible soon-to-be-adult, I do not allow my 14 year old a cell phone. Not only does he not need one, I refuse to pay for unnecessary luxuries like entertainment tech unless it is for the entire family as a group (such as DVDs, home computer and the like).
There (..dusting off hands) that about completes my sermon. (Bowing) I will step off the pulpit now.:)
I see no problem whatsoever with texting at the dinner table. How else will you be able to ask someone to pass the carrots?
Yes it is bad manners to text at the table and also to wear that blue tooth to a funeral (especially you parent,s) or when going to someone,s door (expecially if you hope to sell something)
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