From the buzz of a text message to the sound of a "Wait! Don't eat, let me Instagram first!" command, phones have become a ubiquitous utensil at the dinner table.
It seems that Applebee's, the casual-dining restaurant, is taking issue with how our gadgets take over our dining spaces.
The restaurant chain has applied for a trademark for something labeled "No Tech Tuesday," which implies that the restaurant will be implementing some type of gadget-free Tuesday in the future, CNBC reports. We can already picture Louis C.K. cheering from his car somewhere.
If "No Tech Tuesday" comes to fruition, we wonder how it will reconcile with Applebee's plan to install 100,000 tablets at more than 1,800 of its restaurants in the U.S. The tablets will let diners place orders, pay for their meal and play games while they dine. Chili's and Pizza Hut have also jumped on the tablet trend and have plans to install tablets at tables as well.
On the other side of the gadget spectrum, many restaurants are implementing rules against distracting smartphone use. A restaurant outside of Jerusalem gives users 50 percent off if they shut off their cell phones, according to AP. And Momofuku Ko, a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York, has banned any type food of photography.
Diners too, have started practicing their own "tech-free" dining rules. The popular "phone stack" game requires that everyone place his or her phone in the middle of the table, facedown. The first person to reach for their phone has to pick up the check.
The popularization of "tech-free" practices is gaining more popularity. Similar to "TV Turnoff Week," a campaign in the '90s that encouraged people to go without television for a week, there are now companies that provide digital detoxes and "tech-free" retreats for those who want to become less dependent on their gadgets.
Perhaps tech-free restaurants and digital detoxes will become common occurrences in the next 10 years. With studies showing that Facebook makes us unhappy and Instagram makes us jealous, it is no surprise that people are trying to be more detached from their digital devices.
