The New Intimacy

TVs in restaurants - like it or hate it?

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Contributor: wdanas wdanas
While out to dinner tonight, I was a bit surprised to see the more-classy-than-casua l place we went to had a TV in each corner, like your average sports bar. It got to be a bit distracting, since flashy commercials would come on and draw my eyes up to the screen no matter how engaged I was in the conversation with my husband.

Do you find this a problem, or do you like having a TV to watch while having dinner out? Does it cause your table conversation to stall or not even take place?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
I don't like having a TV visible while at a restaurant.
Madsinner , aliceinthehole , wrmbreze , Ghost , PeaceToTheMiddleEast , JackRaiden , zeebot , Zombirella , Errant Venture , K101 , wetone123 , CoffeeCup , DeliciousSurprise , KyotoAngel , darthkitt3n , Shellz31 , unfulfilled , Ansley , joja , alliegator , Gracie , toxie m , dv8 , CS2012 , Graniteal , Stinkytofu10 , squire , Missmarc , - Kira - , Falsepast , KrissyNovacaine , Megan Jean , TakeHimAway , xOhxSoxScandalousx , P'Gell , Petite Valentine , sweetiejo , Jake'n'bake , PropertyOfPotter , jennifur77 , SMichelle
41  (49%)
I love being able to watch programs while having dinner out.
Chris Corrigan , blacklodge , ViVix
3  (4%)
Depends on the situation/restaurant.
stars , Tagmstr , dhig , Jon S , MissCandyland , Annemarie , Cookie Monster Mike , Slavetim , rawsonbr , Chirple , Rossie , DreamWolf , mm098 , tortilla , winterseve , DeliciousDrip , Ms. Spice , goodeatz , Incendiaire , jokerzwild , michael scofield , Allstars316 , sexxxkitten , padmeamidala , Peggi , quackbuster , GONE! , Oliver Gray , Tork48309 , J5ive , namelesschaos , Nora29714 , MissBre , Ms. N , optic.ghost
35  (42%)
Other.
Alan & Michele , GravyCakes , Secret Pleasure , SimpleTeaser
4  (5%)
Total votes: 83
Poll is closed
02/14/2012
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Contributor: Tagmstr Tagmstr
It depends on the place we go to. I normally don't like it but sometimes its okay.
02/14/2012
Contributor: dhig dhig
sports bar yes, everywhere else no
02/14/2012
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
I don't care one way or another. We usually tune out whatever's around us in restaurants anyway.

~M
02/14/2012
Contributor: aliceinthehole aliceinthehole
Quote:
Originally posted by wdanas
While out to dinner tonight, I was a bit surprised to see the more-classy-than-casua l place we went to had a TV in each corner, like your average sports bar. It got to be a bit distracting, since flashy commercials would come on and draw my eyes up ... more
it's pretty freaking annoying. i generally despise television.
02/15/2012
Contributor: MissCandyland MissCandyland
Sports bars or fast food places I don't mind. Everywhere else I don't like it.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Annemarie Annemarie
Sometimes, I go to a place because I want to see sports on TV. So, it's okay in sports bars.

I, too, recently went to a classier-than-casual restaurant, and there were smaller TVs near the bar, but, thankfully not in the main dining area.
02/15/2012
Contributor: zeebot zeebot
TVs in general just really annoy me, I only ever watch dvds....I just cannot stand ads.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
Quote:
Originally posted by wdanas
While out to dinner tonight, I was a bit surprised to see the more-classy-than-casua l place we went to had a TV in each corner, like your average sports bar. It got to be a bit distracting, since flashy commercials would come on and draw my eyes up ... more
If its a sports bar/restaurant combo deal then sure have some tv's up. I generally NEVER go to one of those though.

But most other sit down restaurants, if they have tv's it slightly bothers me depending on the situation. If I am there to sit down with my fiancee and focus on her and us together, then I don't even want to see a tv. They are just a distraction. If I just out for fun or just for no reason, sure, tv's are fine.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by wdanas
While out to dinner tonight, I was a bit surprised to see the more-classy-than-casua l place we went to had a TV in each corner, like your average sports bar. It got to be a bit distracting, since flashy commercials would come on and draw my eyes up ... more
I don't like it, I think that is for home or bars.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Slavetim Slavetim
Not much for sports bars. I like to be a little more classy
02/15/2012
Contributor: rawsonbr rawsonbr
BWW is the only place
02/15/2012
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
If I'm going to a restaurant, then I wouldn't want a TV there. I'd go to get away from TVs and contraptions like that.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
I guess it depends on what I'm expecting from the experience.

Sports bar, Hard Rock Cafe, Denny's, McDonald's - sure, have TVs. The McD's near where I used to work had some nice TVs and it was a nice distraction during my breaks when I walked over there.

But if it's a place I'm going for a classy, quiet, sit-down experience, then no.

I can see it done in an artistic avant-garde way, but that's not what we're talking about. XD
02/15/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by wdanas
While out to dinner tonight, I was a bit surprised to see the more-classy-than-casua l place we went to had a TV in each corner, like your average sports bar. It got to be a bit distracting, since flashy commercials would come on and draw my eyes up ... more
Hate that! We've actually left a place and found somewhere else to eat more than once because of loud TV's. When we go out, I don't mind noise or even music, but I want to be able to focus on each other. Hell, we can eat in front of the loud TV at home.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Chris Corrigan Chris Corrigan
I love it. I'm so utterly ADD all the time that it somewhat helps me to refocus my attention.
02/15/2012
Contributor: KyotoAngel KyotoAngel
I don't care for it unless it's in a bar (but then again a bar isn't really a restaurant either).
If I'm taking the time and effort to dine out with someone then I'd much rather enjoy the persons company than to try and discuss things over the sound of a television program.
02/15/2012
Contributor: darthkitt3n darthkitt3n
I hate it when I go to restaurants and they have TVs everywhere. It's loud and distracting. I also dislike it when football is on and men are jumping all over and yelling. I wish I could avoid these places, but there's not many options around here.
02/15/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I don't really like it. I want to eat in peace.
02/15/2012
Contributor: blacklodge blacklodge
I don't have tv at my house so when we go to a restaurant that has one it's nice.
02/15/2012
Contributor: winterseve winterseve
I don't mind them in sports bars and such, but any restaurant that would have a bill $40 or more for two people is a no-no. It bugs me that Applebee's even has TVs. If I'm going out it's usually to catch up with a friend or family and spend time being relaxed. TVs distracting or being flashy and loud are not relaxing.
02/15/2012
Contributor: joja joja
Can't stand it! Especially annoying at bars where they play sports at top volume.
02/15/2012
Contributor: alliegator alliegator
I don't really like them, although they do give you something to stare at if bored.
02/15/2012
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
i always like having a tv in a restaurant. i don't watch them much, but it's nice to have something to focus on if there is an awkward silence at the table when eating out w/ your bf & his parents & your food is taking too long to get there.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Gracie Gracie
I hate TVs in restaurants! It is one of my pet peeves! The only exceptions are sports bars.
02/15/2012
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
I don't have a problem with it. I usually can tune out the extra distraction, but I find it's a major plus when I'm having an awkward date and there's nothing else to salvage it.
02/15/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
I don't like televisions anywhere, so I definitely don't want them in a restaurant where I'm paying for the atmosphere
02/15/2012
Contributor: Secret Pleasure Secret Pleasure
Doesn't really bother me at all.
02/15/2012
Contributor: jokerzwild jokerzwild
I'm fine with it, if I was on a date or something I wouldn't be going to a restaurant with a TV.
02/25/2012
Contributor: Stinkytofu10 Stinkytofu10
I find TVs in restaurants unnecessarily distracting, both for diners and restaurant employees.
02/25/2012