Phones at the dinner table

[Chewbecca]

I lost my rag tonight about, initially DS (17) scrolling through his phone, then DH checking his emails, followed by DS muttering and huffing and puffing at what he read but wouldn’t actually tell us what the problem was.

AIBU to expect the family to sit and eat the meal I have cooked and converse and not check phones until we have finished?

And a follow up question, if I am NBU, how do you make mealtimes phone free?

We have a no phone at the table rule. The only one who breaks it is Ds1 (20) as he's bored at being home from university for so long and is pushing my buttons. He does it for a reaction.

I was once at a work meal and confiscated my bosses phone for the evening though because he kept using it while we were eating. I did return it after the meal though.

DH is not usually as bad & has already agreed he shouldn’t have joined in. I don’t think he’ll be doing it again.

But DS just thinks I am making a fuss over nothing.

Not on my watch done have phones at the table! Don't care if that is old fashioned, they kill conversation.

Do we not done. Stupid phone!

YADNBU

No phones at the table except Christmas Day or if we go out for a birthday/celebration meal (with kids not if it's just DH and me) in which case taking photos is allowed but no scrolling, games, emails etc.

It's just not been allowed ever as a general rule in much the same way that putting your feet on the table would be unacceptable.

Don't have to say it here. But for the record NO PHONES in food /mealcompany, surely that is manners or is that gone also now.

No phones or devices when we sit for a family meal.

Generally, it’s rude.

Sometimes, it’s OK.

If a conversation brings up a question we can’t answer, a photo we remember etc., I don’t mind sharing it via someone’s phone at the table.

That seems to me to be very different to someone texting a friend who’s not there or scrolling through social media.

We don't take them into the dining room, I don't remember ever having a discussion about it but it's just not the done thing. YANBU!

Last time somebody persisted with a phone at my dinner table I threw it in the washing up bowl.

No phones at the table in my house, that includes grandparents and visitors.

Extra rule. Break the no phone rule and you clear away and do the washing up straight after dinner.

No phones at the table here too.
You say it's rude, if he doesn't take you on you bin his food, if he can't respect your house rules he doesn't get the benefit of your cooking.

Definitely no phones at the table