Very valid, and classy. I like you!

Did you see what went on pre-order today? No quite as cool as I hoped, maybe if it had real fur instead of molded details, I’ll probably still get one but want to see in person first. Scale is also off a bit and the crate lettering isn’t anywhere near correct. “No, I don’t think you’ll expect this, Wilma...”

Sorry folks, if my replies don’t make sense its because I dismissed the comments from the other party. It got weird. Real weird.

I’m glad your ‘please make calls and play games through the entirety of dinner’ rule works for you. I tried being cordial but I truly don’t give a fuck what you or your friends do, can you now pay me the same respect and stop giving a shit about what a stranger does? You sound like a crazy person or a Trump supporter,…

I totally get what you’re saying and appreciate it, dining out in a group is just a special thing for me, even if it happens 4x a week. I should clarify that it’s not just “my rule” but more an expectation among by the whole group. Nobody ever brings a phone out at the table, we all have an unspoken agreement it…

Right? “They’re really just looking for a free meal”... Who is this person hanging out with that they think a simple, and normally enjoyable, Birthday gathering is some wicked plot to defraud their friends once a year? I’m with you, I actually get JOY from paying for a friend’s meal. Shit, I’d rather sit at a table…

“I’m a proponent of birthdays being everyone’s once-a-year permission to have no obligations for themselves and do nothing they don’t want. One day a year. 1/365. Let people have this.”

Somebody just pointed out your avatar, totally didn’t notice earlier, lol thats pretty perfect my dude.

I have Aspergers and am on the Autism spectrum myself, and also suffer debilitating social anxiety at times, however, my diagnosis and anxiety don’t prevent me from having common courtesy when I’m out with friends at a meal. Glad your scenario works for you and your buddies but clearly we simply do not agree. Have a…

Ive already explained why I think its still not appropriate but in this scenario you present they still don’t get a pass with me. Somebody “needs to quell their anxiety” by picking up a phone? No, that’s a choice they made, they could quell their anxiety by thinking of waterfalls or go to the restroom and calm down,…

Thank you! Wild, I think that’s actually the maker’s account. I love the Tar Man and the other Creepshow figures, so cool man!!!

Sometimes I do feel “old fashioned” when it comes to phones, but I still enjoy focused conversations with people I enjoy being around and not constant distraction, which leads to “hey did I show you this video” or “while I have this out, check out these pictures” or the very worst checking the restaurants Yelp reviews…

If it works for you guys then there’s no problem, its different for everyone but I wouldn’t be happy in this situation. I mentioned in another reply that very often it’s one person doing a quick check that leads down a path of everybody else then wants to know if they missed a text, etc.

You can sit with me. 

That’s part of it, in theory I don’t mind at all if someone checks their phone because we don’t know where Sally is (why is “Sally” always the made up friend?) but often as soon as one person pics theirs up its taken as a cue by half the others to grab their phones. 

That is a great work-around but I don't want a half dozen phones laying on the table. 

I had a used car dealer tell me over and over that I shouldn’t pay cash and I can “get a better deal” if I finance through them. This made no sense, tho I figured there was a kickback or some way for them to benefit if they were so persistent, so thanks for the explanation. I ended up not buying from them anyway…

It wasn’t noted in the article, but I am aware simply because of Sam’s vast cultural imprint, that his pictures of all of his meals on Instagram was what put this place “on the map” to begin with.

Good advice overall except for “phone time.” If anyone brings their phone up to the table while I’m dining with them they will not be invited back. Simply excuse yourself to check your phone if you have some important message you’re waiting for, but if it’s that important you probably should not risk impinging upon…

Update: Reward is now stated to be $50,000.