To think this is the rudest behaviour

[InanimateCarbonRod]

We were out for an early dinner. Myself, DH and DC (teenagers) picked a local eaterie with a good early bird deal. The restaurant is empty except for a man dining alone a few tables away.

He takes a smartphone out of his pocket and proceeds to watch TV on the phone with the volume up. We were speechless.

AIBU to think this is so rude?!

If the volume was high enough to disturb you, then I think it would have been perfectly fine to ask him to turn it down. He may not have been aware that it was bothering you.

Obviously, allowing your teens to use their phones at a restaurant is entirely a personal choice. I wouldn't allow it, but many people do. Recently I went on holiday with a family member who spent virtually the entire time glued to her smartphone. She doesn't even have the excuse of being a teenager. She's 35!

Navy what aren't you 'with'? Just saying that you shouldn't be able to overhear other people's conversations or noise. Unless you are with them of course.

"However my AIBU was whether watching TV on a phone in a restaurant was rude or not."

Inconsiderate if it was so loud it was disturbing your meal, but you could have asked him, or asked your server, to turn the volume down, but what someone does at their own table, not yours, is not rude.

I would not consider myself to be rude if I was alone in a restaurant and looking at my phone, I would be aware of the volume disturbing other people though, and wouldnt have the sound up. Maybe he just didnt realise the sound was carrying so much.

How are the OP's children ruder than that man

I didn't say they were Navy.
I was answering your question of 'why?' when I said they shouldn't have devices at the table.

And as itsmine has already said it's bad manners and I blame the parents too