Located in Abu Ghosh just outside of Jerusalem, a restaurant of the same name is offering a half-off discount to patrons who turn off their mobile phones for the duration of their visit. Abu Ghosh owner Jawdat Ibrahim hopes to alter the dominant culture by offering a generous incentive to power down and be present. Ibrahim dislikes how costumers will ignore each other and their food in favor of their smartphone screens, telling the Associated Press, "smartphones have destroyed the modern dining experience."
While Abu Ghosh is not the first restaurant to offer a discount on this premise, the amount of the discount is worth noting. So far Ibrahim's business has suffered financially do to this offering, but he hopes in the long run it will ultimately result in increased sales.
Anti-Smartphone Discounts
Abu Ghosh Offers Half Off to Customers Who Turn Off Their Mobile Phones
Trend Themes
1. Off-screen Discounts - Businesses offer discounts to customers who turn off their mobile phones to promote present engagement.
2. Disconnecting Culture - Initiatives to address the negative impact of modern technology in daily life and encourage disconnecting as a means of promoting present engagement.
3. In-person Dining - In response to the trend of increased technology dependency, businesses are offering incentives to encourage customers to connect with each other and their surroundings.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Restaurants can provide a unique dining experience for customers who prioritize real-life conversations and meals by promoting face-to-face interactions.
2. Hospitality - Hotels and resorts can incorporate features that enable guests to power down and enjoy the present moment, such as no-tech zones, offline activities, or special incentives.
3. Retail - Stores can introduce no-phone policies or exclusive discounts for customers who disconnect from their mobile screens to reinstate offline social interaction and promote product appreciation.