Something happened to dinner table conversation.

You used to sit down, look at the person across from you, and talk. Whether that person was a friend, colleague, or significant other, it felt like you could just talk. And you did. In Spain, it's called sobremesa.

Today, most dinner conversation is littered with interruptions. The cause of these interruptions is your devices — mainly your phone and smart watch. Every time you sit down for a meal, your attention is taken hostage by a ding, your screen lighting up, and the vibration on your wrist. To save face, you cleverly sneak a look under the table while the person across from you continues speaking — "They can't tell I'm looking at my screen.. can they?"

For the past 10 years, we've started to normalize this behavior. This shit is not normal.

Consider all the dinners you shared with someone last year. Ask yourself what you've missed out on in those conversations due to interruptions. Personal devices are great, but their grip will slip. Admit it, devices once 'helpful' and 'convenient' are now distracting and annoying as fuck.

You used to sit down, look at the person across from you, and talk. It's time to get back to that.

Introducing Sobremesa, distraction free dinner hosted by Volo Lab.

— Disconnect.
— Talk with other humans.
— Eat great food.
— Monthly recurring.
— Membership fee = charity donation.

The first city to launch Sobremesa is Austin, TX. More cities coming soon.

Stay tuned.

Nico Canosa
Founder, Volo Lab
nico@vololab.co