"Maybe it's my own nostalgia for another time (I did grow up on early 2000s movies where every main character in New York City worked at a magazine). But it can't be disputed that the cold, mechanical glare of a blue screen can never compare to the natural romanticism of paper in the format of love letters, novels and diaries. It feels nice to hold something! To leaf through a real page! We forget that restaurants are in the business of tactile pleasure: It's why we collect matchboxes and postcards and, if we're lucky, a custom pen pocketed on the way out."
"It's why I stick to reading physical books, handwriting journals and scrapbooking photo albums. It's also why one of my biggest pet peeves involves QR codes, specifically when I go out to eat. There's nothing that kills the mood more than walking into a restaurant, dressed for the occasion, only to be forced to pull out my phone to scan a QR code menu."
"And I know there's a difference between a cozy neighborhood bar versus a sought-after restaurant, and I can't expect the same attention to detail across the board. But dining out, even at the divey-est spot in town, is one of those rare excuses in modern life to remain offline, especially in the company of others. Sharing a meal should be a time to be engaged, both in conversation and with food. Personally, I don't want my phone creeping into yet another aspect of my life."
QR-code menus were adopted during the pandemic to reduce physical touchpoints, but many restaurants continue using them long after those precautions waned. Printed menus and other tactile items offer sensory pleasure and a sense of occasion that blue screens cannot replicate. Dining provides a rare opportunity to remain offline and to engage with companions and the food itself. Attention to physical details like menus, matchboxes, postcards, and pens contributes to atmosphere and customer satisfaction. Many diners prefer analog formats to minimize screen intrusion and to amplify the romance and intentionality of a shared meal.
Read at InsideHook
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