Digital detox: Perks offered to hand over phones
124 views · Published 26 December 2018 · 2:21 · Indexed 11 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(21 Dec 2018) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: THESE ICE BUCKETS AT THE SUSHI LOUNGE IN NEW JERSEY ARE NOT FOR WINE OR CHAMPAGNE. -- THEY'RE FOR CELL PHONES. NATS "If everyone can stay off their phones, not checking email or what have you, you can get 20 percent off your entire parties' bill, alcohol included." AN EXTRA INCENTIVE TO DETACH FROM TECHNOLOGY. THEY'RE DOING IT AT SOME HOTELS AND RESORTS, TOO, LIKE THE HOTEL GALVEZ AND SPA IN GALVESTON, TEXAS. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Cunningham, general manager Hotel Galvez and Spa. "Obviously everybody has a phone today and everybody's using their phones almost continuously. So we came up with this new phone phone free zone to encourage our guests especially families to step back and disconnect a little bit when they're on vacation." HOTEL GALVEZ IS PART OF THE WYNDHAM HOTEL CHAIN THAT IS OFFERING FREE DESSERT FOR PUTTING PHONES IN THIS LOCKED POUCH IN THE RESTAURANT. OR GIVING FAMILIES A 5 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON THEIR STAY IF THEY PUT THEIR PHONES IN THE TIMED LOCKBOX IN THE ROOM. THIS COUPLE IN CHICAGO WANTED TO SHOW THEIR KIDS THEY WERE PRIORITIZING FAMILY TIME. SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Bryan, father who put phone in lockbox: "It's a little bit harder than you would think to just put your phone away in a box that can't be accessed. But I think that speaks to the reason for having tools and incentives like this is to make it easier to do. " THE HOTEL PROVIDES SUPPLIES FOR A PILLOW FORT, S'MORES, A BEDTIME BOOK AND AN INSTANT CAMERA FOR ADULT AND KIDS WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE NEWFOUND FREE TIME. BUSINESSES THAT LIMIT CELL PHONE USE RISK LOSING VALUABLE EXPOSURE ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK. BUT THEY SAY THE POLICIES REFLECT THEIR MISSION OF PROMOTING WELLNESS AND RELAXATION. AND, OF COURSE, THEY HOPE THAT HAPPILY UNPLUGGED GUESTS WILL RETURN FOR FUTURE VISITS. SOUNDBITE (English) Noelle Chesley, assistant sociology professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "We've created the conditions where there is now a market for that. " SOUNDBITE (English) Noelle Chesley, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "It's just so embedded in our everyday lives at this point that now we need mechanisms for getting it out." OVER AT THE SUSHI LOUNGE, THEY STARTED THE PROMO FOUR YEARS AGO ON NORMALLY SLOW TUESDAY NIGHTS. AND SINCE THEN TUESDAYS HAVE PICKED UP. BUT THEY HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN HOW IMPORTANT SOCIAL MEDIA IS FOR BUSINESS. SOUNDBITE (English) Stacy Oriente, Sushi Lounge Manager. "We've had people say 'am I allowed to take a picture of my sushi when it comes to post it?' And we absolutely will allow them to do that -- little caveat." A WIN-WIN FOR THE RESTAURANT … AND CUSTOMERS. SOUNDBITE (English) Jennifer Kaveney, restaurant customer from Kansas City. "I think it's awesome. I think that we don't even notice nowadays having our phones, so it's great to, like, to be forced to put it away and have great conversations. SOUNDBITE (English) Jennifer Kaveney, restaurant customer from Kansas City. "And I will take a discount any day." AN EXTRA PUSH TO HELP A CELL PHONE ADDICTED POPULATION --DISCONNECT. CARRIE ANTLFINGER, ASSOCIATED PRESS Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/d103690d87285a9adceac0be6ad04fa9
