The Datebook Summer 2017 | Page 3

SUMMER 2017 Something To Think About Over the last few years there has been a lot of conversation about the use of mobile phones at the dining table – especially in restaurants. Needless to say, no one wants to listen to a stranger’s mobile phone conversation when dining with friends. There is also the idea that mobile phone use while dining can take away from one’s appreciation of what is being served. A recent article in Stockpot, the Craft Guild of Chef’s magazine, addressed this issue with an article on an experiment by Karen Fewell, Founder of Digital Blonde and the Food Marketing School. So what was the impact of this dining experience? At the end of the meal, guests were asked to complete a survey on their reaction to being without their mobile phone. “Guests found that without their phones, they talked more about the food and the flavours. They also were more aware of the smell and aroma of the food.” Above all, 100% of the guests agreed that “the conversation flowed better without the presence of the phones.” The majority felt that they connected to and enjoyed more of the conversation than when mobile phones are present. Indeed, that does give one something to think about. Ms. Fewell gathered 25 strangers of various ages and backgrounds together for a four-course dinner. She chose an unusual setting of a disused tube car. As soon as the guests arrived they started taking photos of their surroundings and sharing their thoughts on the dinner’s location. The first course arrived and again, out came the mobile phones. Everyone wanted to photograph what they were about to eat but few wanted to converse about it. At this point, things got interesting. Guests were asked to give up their phones for the rest of the evening. To quote from the article “A team of researchers documented how the dynamic and interaction changed when mobile phones were no longer part of the dining experience”. It is interesting to note that “the researchers observed various reactions from the diners from noticeable anxiety to actual anger” at having to give up their mobile phones. Editor: Mary Kay Eyerman, The London & UK Datebook 22c Kew Garden Road, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3HD Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Contributing Writers: Richard Fitzwilliams, Claire Derrick, Peter Kerwood, Lynne Warner, Jonathan Byrne, Rachel Brown, Julia Burt, Francis Gimblett, Michèle Marriott and Marianne Gray. Administration Office & Entry Information Enquiries: Administrative Coordinator 67 Hawkwood Road, Sible Hedingham Halstead, Essex CO9 3JR Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] On another subject entirely, with this issue of The DatebooK we say “good bye” to our “Tales of the Vine” writer Francis Gimblett. Francis has been with us for 20 years and I hope you have enjoyed his various stories about his wine adventures, and more recently his forray into cheese making, as I have. We wish him all the best as he continues to explore new and different areas of the world for wine. Mary Kay Eyerman E-mail: [email protected] Quotes in Something to Think About are from an article in the November/December issue of Stockpot. Art Editor: Ron Bryant-Funnell, Studio 2, Willowfield Studios, 67a Willowfield Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 8AP Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher. Graphic Design: John Kimble Graphic Design Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Visit: www.thedatebook.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Reproduction or use of this material without permission of the publisher is prohibited. For information on how to receive a printed copy of The London & UK Datebook: Next Issue: Autumn 2017 ©2017 The London & UK DatebooK is published three times a year by M.K. Eyerman. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the publication. Visit The London & UK DatebooK on www.thedatebook.co.uk Copy Deadline for listing events in the Calendar of Events: 11th August 2017 The London & UK DatebooK ISSN 1749-0901 (Print) Cover Photo: Courtesy of Smart Group THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK 1