Issue No. 26
Cell Phone Ban
The Gazette is proposing that Red’s Bar become a cell phone free drinking establishment, like it used to be. Red’s was in the forefront of Missoula bars several years ago when they were one of the first to go non-smoking and they could be the first to introduce this new ban.
Remember the good old days when you went to Red’s after a long day at work, looking for a cold one and some uninterrupted lively conversation. You knew that you would not be disturbed and very few people knew where you were at, or at least you thought so. Usually, after a few beverages, a lively argument would break out and everyone would pitch in with their two cents worth, whether they were knowledgeable or not upon the subject at hand. Today, this is referred to as the “ROCHELEAU” rule.
Prior to cell phones and the internet, these arguments could go on for hours, and in many cases, for days and days. Many times these disputes would not be settled until Carmie, a former Red’s Bar bartender, would take time out from his busy schedule and go to the Missoula Public Library and spend hours researching old newspapers to come up with the appropriate answer.
Now, with cell phones, the answers are but a click away. The patrons get bored and go home and Red’s misses out on some valuable ring-up at the till. Also, several times in the last year, conversations with employees of Whalen Tire and Valley Landscaping have been needlessly interrupted by cell phone calls and text messages right in the middle of an important discussion.
And Finally, what happened to the lost art of bartending? When a cell phone call came in inquiring about the whereabouts of a patron the bartender unequivocally would have to state; he/she just left, I haven’t seen him/her or he/she hasn’t been in days.
Let’s get back to these good old days! SOON !!!!!!!
Stay Tuned |
