Nowadays, our lives seem to be consumed by our cell phones. We rely on them to chat with our friends and family, get the hottest apps and find out the latest updates on social media. But a well-known Arab restaurant, called Abu Ghosh, located in Israel is offering its customers a 50 per cent discount on their bill if they turn off their phones, all in an effort to get people away from these distractions and back to enjoying the company they’re with.
According to the Associated Press, owner Jawdat Ibrahim says that he hopes this rule will create a cultural change in the eating experience. Phones cannot merely be put on silent- they must be completely turned off because not even texting is permitted.
Ibrahim was inspired to implement this change because he was really bothered by friends and family who were completely distracted by their smartphones during meals. He says this ruins the restaurant experience. The restaurant owner hopes that, through this incentive, people will fully embrace the company of others and the food itself.
The new discount, introduced on November 23, has been widely successful so far, says Ibrahim. Basically every customer that has come into the restaurant has taken advantage of it, and it has even brought in new customers!
Although there are other restaurants around the world that offer a similar discount, none are to the extent of Abu Ghosh’s. For example, a restaurant in Beirut offers a 10 per cent discount for clients who turn off their phones.
Would you be willing to turn off your phone for a few hours during a meal to get this deal? Let us know in the comment section below!
(Image courtesy of Getty Images)