A Los Angeles restaurant is offering a deal to customers who agree to look at the person on the opposite side of the table instead of their mobile phone screens.
Eva Restaurant is giving a five per cent discount to customers who are willing to leave their mobile phones with staff when they are seated.
Owner Mark Gold told KPCC radio on Tuesday that the policy is an attempt to create an environment where diners connect to each other instead of technology.
The owner believes the new approach encourages diners to engage with each other rather than their phones. He added that the approach hasn't been implemented to satisfy restaurant-goers that get annoyed by phone chatter or the glow of smartphone screens.
Restaurant staff make the offer to diners when they introduce themselves at the start of the meal.
Gold claims nearly half take advantage of the discount, and many express gratitude at the opportunity to let go of their devices for a while.
TXT 24
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