Grace Massoud wrote this article in MTV website:
A savvy restaurant owner in Verona, Italy, has given its customers the option to drop their phones at the door in exchange for a complimentary bottle of wine to be enjoyed during the tech-free meal.
The Al Condominio restaurant has opened just this March, and its concept of locking phones away in individual boxes under lock and key, giving the key to the phone proprietor of course, is just brilliant.
Seeing as I work in marketing, it’s a fabulous way to promote the new haunt.
More significantly, it’s an admirable initiative to encourage people to ditch technology and actually enjoy each other’s company and some good wine instead of looking at their phones every five seconds.
Many a time before I’ve discussed the harmful attachment to phones where it’s become the new norm to show utter disrespect to the people you’re with in real time.
It is the most destructive modern-day drug I swear, and the one most likely to be robbing you of your joy.
Pay attention next time you’re at a social function to people around you engaged in conversations.
Notice how many times they break eye contact with the person they’re with to respond to a message, mindlessly scroll on Instagram or check an email.
This behavior is sucking the enjoyment out of the present moment for you and the company you keep, most times without your knowledge because it has become so common and rarely anyone calls you out on it, which I do with the people I love.
It is no coincidence that great writers have advised to be present and eliminate distractions to truly be happy and get the most out of life be it in terms of success, contentment, connection, or mental stability.
Being pulled in many directions at once increases the feeling of isolation, detachment and anxiety, while focusing all your attention on one thing at a time will allow you to fully benefit from it and to give it the best you’ve got.
Hanging out at a coffee shop with a friend for instance will be much more beneficial to your wellbeing and theirs if you do not allow your smartphone to rob your attention even for a second.
In that light, take a page out of the owner of the Al Condominio’s book, chalk out a couple of hours a day phone free.
Call it the phone-free zone. Spend it fully with your family and the people you care about the most.
Notice how much better you’ll feel about your relationships and the receding need for therapy you’ll encounter.
I just salvaged your relationships and saved you a big chunk of cash.
Youuuuuu’re welcome!
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