The Old-School Dining Etiquette Rule One Expert Wishes We'd Bring Back
Dining looks a little different now than it did 50 years ago. Meals aren't as simple, many people have TVs in their kitchens, and you may often find yourself eating on the go.
However, if one expert could change anything about the way people dine today, it would be to eliminate a major distraction: your phone. Tasting Table spoke to Nikesha Tannehill Tyson — an etiquette expert from the Swann School of Protocol in Shreveport and author of "Going Public" — about old-school dining rules that deserve a comeback, and her top one was to stop using phones during meal times. In fact, a 2026 study published by JAMA Pediatrics found that almost 78% of parents and 69% of children consume media at the dinner table. "I would love to see our phones put away," Tyson said.
While it can be tough to tear yourself away from your devices, Tyson said they can stop you from listening and conversing with those around you. "Technology has become such a constant part of our lives; it has changed our habits," she explained. "Smartphones have become our calendars, cameras, and entertainment, making it easy to stay connected to everyone except the people sitting right in front of us. We often overlook the precious gift of our undivided attention." This doesn't just happen while dining at home, either.
Using your phone when dining at a restaurant can be an even bigger problem
Many diners take their phones out at restaurants too, which can be even worse. "I've gone out to restaurants and watched families or groups of friends spend most of the meal with their heads down, each focused on their own device instead of each other," Tyson said. "It's a missed opportunity to laugh, share stories, create memories, and simply enjoy one another's company." Additionally, a lot of people think it's rude to use your phone at dinner.
If you want to show you care, actively putting your phone away is a good step. You could even enforce Martha Stewart's no phone rule. "The dining table has always been more than a place to eat; it's a place to connect. Putting our devices away says, you have my attention, and this time together matters; it's a tradition worth bringing back," Tyson said.