What People Do on Their Phones While Ordering Food

Sitting and waiting for your food at a restaurant was always an opportunity for a quiet break; a time to look around, re-read a menu, or have a bit of small talk. Today, that break is occupied by the gentle glow of smartphone screens. Whether it’s a five-minute coffee order or a twenty-minute dinner wait, a majority of people automatically pull out their phones. These compact devices have become time killers and entertainment centers, shaping the way we manage even the tiniest moments of inactivity.

Playing Games

The most common way for people to pass the time in the waiting line is to play games on their phones. Mobile gaming is a convenient form of entertainment as it is flexible and can be played in small increments, ideal for a few minutes’ wait between ordering and eating. Best sellers like Candy Crush Saga, Clash Royale, Wordle, and Among Us constantly provide players with fast-paced challenges and instant rewards.

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Swiping Through Social Media

Once the food is not yet ready, social media takes over. Many customers automatically reach for Instagram, TikTok, or X to see what’s new. The constant stream of posts, videos, and memes provides the perfect distraction. It’s an easy way to feel connected, entertained, or informed while waiting for a meal.

People use these moments to:

• Catch up on friends’ updates.
• Watch short, humorous clips.
• React to trending content.
• Go through pictures of food – ironically, while they wait for their own.

Social media platforms are meant for these kinds of situations. Each scroll is a source of immediate gratification and a brief mental escape, making the wait appear shorter.

Streaming and Watching Video Content

Another favorite thing to do while waiting for food is to watch videos. Platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok have made it easy to access entertainment in short bits. A short vlog, cooking clip, or stand-up comedy segment can fit perfectly into a ten-minute wait.

Others also use this time to binge through episodes of their favorite shows, tutorials, or reviews. Videos are now more seamless than ever, thanks to improved screen sizes and internet speeds on mobile devices. Even good restaurants have good Wi-Fi, so people can stream away without having to worry about their data cap.

Communicating with Friends or Family

Not all phone activity is centered around passive entertainment. Many people use their waiting time to text loved ones, respond to a text they had been meaning to send earlier, or even initiate a conversation they had wanted to have earlier. The ability to send a quick voice note or photo without interrupting the dining experience has become simple thanks to apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram.

In fact, food often becomes a social touchstone, a moment to catch up. Some will provide updates about their day, check on family members, or maybe even send a picture of their meal when it arrives. It’s a small but significant gesture to connect with one another, bridging the digital gap with physical experiences.

Following the News

Waiting periods also allow time to catch up on the world. Many diners are perusing brief news updates or browsing headlines while waiting. News apps and aggregators such as Google News or Flipboard are geared towards quick consumption, providing summaries and snippets that can be read in minutes.

This habit is a way in which people incorporate information into their daily lives. Rather than making time for reading the news, they read the news during downtime, such as waiting for food.

Browsing Online Stores

Another favorite waiting activity is shopping on the internet. People regularly visit e-commerce websites to look for deals or put things on wish lists. Even for short waiting periods, this process can be fast and fun using apps like Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon.

For others, it’s a process for multitasking, using downtime to look at a product or compare prices. On the other hand, some people just like to browse, look at fashion, gadgets, or home items without really intending to buy them immediately. The ease of shopping on the go has made each idle minute decision time.

Reading Articles

For those who prefer to be quieter, reading is the most popular choice. Most people will open eBook apps or online articles that are about a topic they are interested in. Reading on a phone is well-suited for short periods of time. At the end of a minute or two, you can quickly scan a few pages or read a short article.

It’s also becoming more common for people to read newsletters or long-form content using apps like Pocket or Medium. These mini reading breaks help to enrich waiting time and make idle time into learning time.

Using Food Apps

Lastly, many diners use their waiting time to check out food-related apps. They may read reviews of the restaurant they are in, browse for other things nearby, or look at menu photos to figure out what to order next time.

This is easy using apps like Google Maps, Yelp, or Deliveroo. While they wait, people can plan future visits, compare dishes, or even write their own reviews. It gives the experience an element of practicality, using waiting time to make better dining decisions afterward.