Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mobile phone ban in spa

214 replies

WhenZogateSuperworm · 19/05/2019 19:50

Whilst I fully expect a spa to have a silent mobile phone policy, why is it necessary to have a blanket ban? How is reading an article on a phone different to kindle or book which are allowed? How does me sending a text disturb anyone else?

I have a spa day booked but having just read the ban on phones (according to their info you will be asked to leave if caught with a phone anywhere other than the changing rooms) I am now wanting to cancel. I have a 2 month old baby and a 2 year old and would feel very uncomfortable about being uncontactable all day.

OP posts:
ChiaraRimini · 19/05/2019 22:02

Don't worry about it OP, I've been to tons of spas with phone bans that everyone ignores. Unless you are pointedly taking photos of other people or playing loud music, no one will care

ManchesterBorn · 19/05/2019 22:03

You look around on a train carriage, for example, and everyone is zombified gorping at their phones.

Mobile phone ban in spa
Mobile phone ban in spa
Mobile phone ban in spa
ChipSandwich · 19/05/2019 22:03

How else would you hear it apart from headphones? How can they be irritating to others (normal people anyway?)?

So you think people close by can't hear your tinny headphone noise?
Then there's not much point telling you they can

Passthecherrycoke · 19/05/2019 22:05

Of course they can’t 🤣 what cheap crappy headphones do you buy?

Sweetsandcrisps · 19/05/2019 22:05

ManchesterBorn at least from a book or newspaper you can get interesting information. Unfortunately most people gorping at there phones are looking a nonsense brainfarts on twitter, Instagram et al

Sweetsandcrisps · 19/05/2019 22:06

Their*

Sweetsandcrisps · 19/05/2019 22:07

I’m guilty of this myself, I just think it’s all really sad. I wish I could give up my phone! I feel like it’s making me stupid and close minded.

ChipSandwich · 19/05/2019 22:11

Of course they can’t 🤣 what cheap crappy headphones do you buy?
I don't use headphones I often have to move away from people on the train though. Who also think nobody can hear their tinny headphones.

ChipSandwich · 19/05/2019 22:12

Or maybe just don't care.

floraloctopus · 19/05/2019 22:16

Either get people to phone the spa reception in an emergency or don't go to the spa - it's not compulsory to go.

Passthecherrycoke · 19/05/2019 22:17

That’s really bizarre chipsandwich

flowery · 19/05/2019 22:24

”what is sad? That we use 1 small device to do many things?
Why is it sadder to read the news on my phone than it is on an actual newspaper? Why is it sadder to read message from my friends from an email or a whatsapp than it would be to read a letter?
Why is it sad to listen to music on my phone? To look at photos on my phone? to read a book on it? (even if a tablet would be better for me)”

No one said any of these activities are sad. What is sad is an addiction to something. And freaking out or getting angry/indignant at the prospect of not having a phone for a few hours at a spa definitely indicates an addiction.

I freely admit I’m pretty addicted. My phone is with me at all times and I’m on it loads. But even I can manage without for a few hours at a spa, and can understand why they are banned.

Reading a book rather than looking at my phone is far more relaxing. I’m not going to get texts/emails/WhatsApp or other notifications popping up, or flit between different apps, engage in debate on MN or any of those things. I’ll just read the book and that’s it. I’m switching off from a hectic life, not continuing it in a dressing gown.

Banhaha · 19/05/2019 22:25

@Passthecherrycoke Tinny headphones are quite common. Especially on public transport.

NoSauce · 19/05/2019 22:31

Can’t believe some people are suggesting the OP cancels. Talk about an overreaction.
She can leave the number of the spa with the person looking after the dc. Any emergency and they ring the spa and they will speak to the OP.

I think this is more to do with the OP being told what she can and can’t do than it being about her being uncontactable.

Divebar · 19/05/2019 22:46

It’s a condition of entry. They can make anything a condition of entry in the same way sports grounds don’t let you take your own alcohol in with you. You have the choice of abiding by the rule or not going in. Debating why they have the rule is slightly pointless - you could of course contact them and make your case in case they’re willing to make exceptions. However you can see from the posters here that plenty of people appreciate it.

Acis · 19/05/2019 23:02

Real books get wet so I wouldn't take one

But if a book gets wet it's a hell of a lot cheaper to remedy than if a phone gets wet.

Cottonwoolmouth · 19/05/2019 23:05

I told her to cancel because what’s the point?

If she wants to miss out on a relaxing day because she can’t cope then so be it!

ChipSandwich · 19/05/2019 23:18

I’m switching off from a hectic life, not continuing it in a dressing gown

I like that. Succinct

twosoups1972 · 19/05/2019 23:20

What would you do all day hanging round the side of the pool without a phone?

Ermm sit and relax, doze, read a book, people watch. Are you really that addicted to your phone??

twosoups1972 · 19/05/2019 23:24

@boyinNewCross I completely agree. It will be interesting to see how things change with the next generation. My 18 year old dd told me recently she is going off Instagram and other SM, and so are many of her peers. I think they're starting to see the damage it can cause and the detrimental effect on mental health. My 16 year old dd says she's going to be really strict with her kids regarding phone use.

twosoups1972 · 19/05/2019 23:26

On the one hand schols and nurseries insist on being able to contact parents at all times

No they don't. Schools are for at least 2 emergency contacts who they can contact if they can't get hold of parents.

ChipSandwich · 19/05/2019 23:38

I think they're starting to see the damage it can cause and the detrimental effect on mental health
Indeed. My daughter's late twenties and works in data science. She and a significant number of her colleagues are embracing the freedom of coming off social media. There is definitely a wave of younger people who are fed up of being slaved to these gadgets, to the detriment of relationships and MH. Long may it continue.

BackforGood · 19/05/2019 23:48

And once again MN shows its lack of consistency. On the one hand schols and nurseries insist on being able to contact parents at all times and if you haven't planned 18 years of back-up which can't die/get ill/move away during that time you are an irresponsible parent. But say you don't want to be uncontactable and you are being ridiculous

But she's not uncontactable. She can tell whoever is looking after the dc during that time "This is the number of Reception of the building I'll be at - let them know if there is an emergency that they need to find me". You know, like millions of people all over the county do in their jobs every day. Not everyone works in an environment where they can have their phone on them, and switched on during the day.

OccasionalKite · 20/05/2019 00:11

Why would any woman want a spa that allows other people to use phones and devices and cameras, in areas where women are meant to be relaxing, and undressed (i.e. generally, a swimsuit/bikini and/or loose towelling bathrobe?) Why?

OP, leave the Spa phone number with your babysitter. If it is desperate, then someone will find you.

ChipSandwich · 20/05/2019 00:16

I work from 12-5 in retail. As I said upthread, I have a SN non verbal daughter who is epileptic and hyperactive, with poor balance to boot. I'm not allowed to have my phone with me. In an emergency, everyone who needs it has the landline number of my work. I'm confident they'd come and find me if necessary. Not that it has been yet, despite the high probability.