MICROSKIRTS
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viewsDining Out 2010 Style
By scranor1, Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Technology at the TableWaiting tables is my moonlighting gig, like so many other writers, and has been since 2003. Working at a restaurant, I am necessarily exposed to every surrounding conversation. Whether I’m cleaning, refilling drinks, or picking up plates, I accidently hear many of your jokes, fights and whispers. It’s funny because as the technology grows, the dialogue between customers shrinks. Laughter has been replaced by the buzz of electronics. People who converse via Twitter and Facebook every few minutes can’t seem to hold a five minute conversation face-to-face. Of course, I’ve always had the people who never said two words to each other. The couples who’ve been together so long that the most they do is mutter their order under downcast eyes and ask for the check after about five bites. But ever since the advent of Blackberries, IPods, PSPs, and now the IPad, many tables will be in complete silence. I’ve even waited on some people where each person had their own device and never once spoke to each other. Why even bother? It's called takeout.
Don’t get me wrong, I went through my stages where I never talked to anybody as I became obsessed with the Game Boys and Game Gears (not to age myself). But my parents would have never let me play with it at the table. And I didn’t come from some “Leave It to Beaver” family; we're all just as screwed up as the next one. It’s like parents decided they no longer have to teach their kids how to communicate. I guess they just figure they’ll learn all that in during their social networking time. My guess is they crave quiet more than a Bloomin’ Onion, and don’t mind putting some mind-numbing game in their kids' hands in exchange for some peace.
So, how shocked was I the other night as I swept up around my tables to discover a true rarity. There beside me was a family who dared to talk to each other. And it was more than just “pass the bread or salt; it was a true conversation. They laughed, joked, and enjoyed each other’s company. Sure, they didn’t solve our current economic crisis, or talk about the November election; however, they came to restaurant and actually spent time together.
I’m 25 years old, and part of the millennial generation. I don’t expect a mom, dad, two kids and a white picket fence, nor do I picture mom home baking and dad helping with the science project. But even in today’s hectic and complicated world, it’s nice to see a family trying to piece together a few hours to spend with each other.
Finally, this is for the author of the Reader’s Digest post from late August, How to Get Your Child to Behave at a Restaurant, which was based on Stacy DeBroff’s The Mom Book. What kind of advice is it to suggest bribing your kid with dessert and toys in exchange for sitting down? And we’re supposed to be surprised that 35 percent of American kids are obese? I’m in no way suggesting we beat children, I simply feel that bending to their every whim is pretty much setting them up for failure. I suppose another problem is that the parents are not often better than the children with their constant BBMing and such. So, from someone who is forced to watch families weekend in and out, put a timeout on the technology and a time in for the family.
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