The family dinner is often cherished as a time to reconnect and share moments in a world that feels increasingly fast-paced.
But for one dad, this tradition faced a frustrating interruption: his sons’ constant texting at the dinner table.
In a humorous short video titled “Pass the Salt” by Mathew Abeler, this dad reaches his breaking point and decides to take a stand against the digital distraction.
The result is a delightful reminder of the value of being present during family time, and the video has since struck a chord, garnering over 18 million views.
The video begins in a familiar scene.
The family sits around the table, quietly eating their meal, when one of the sons’ phones buzzes with a message.
Although it’s a subtle sound, it’s enough to capture the son’s full attention, pulling him away from the family gathering and into his own digital world.
The parents exchange looks, a mix of patience and resignation, already sensing that he’s “gone” from the conversation.
Soon, the second son’s phone chimes in, this time with a catchy Carly Rae Jepsen ringtone.
The dad’s expression captures his exasperation perfectly as he watches his sons tune out of dinner and tune into their phones.
It’s the look of a parent who’s reached his limit.
The mother also glances between the boys and gives her husband a sympathetic nod, silently acknowledging the shared frustration.
In an attempt to reclaim their attention, the dad casually asks one of his sons, Jake, to pass the salt.
Jake, not even looking up from his screen, slides over a shaker without a second thought.
But he’s so distracted that he hands over the pepper instead of the salt.
This small mix-up seems to be the tipping point for dad, who signals to his wife that he’s ready to take matters into his own hands.
With a mix of humor and quiet rebellion, the dad decides to make a memorable statement.
He locks eyes with his sons and, in a dramatically slow and exaggerated way, reaches for one of their phones.
The mother watches with a knowing smile, as if she’s seen this act coming from a mile away.
The sons, however, are completely caught off guard, stunned by their dad’s unexpected move involving a typewriter.
One of the sons protests, “Dad, what are you doing?”
In response, the dad delivers a pointed reply: “Sorry, I must have been a little… distracted.”
The deliberate pause and stern expression emphasize his frustration and drive home his message: paying attention matters.
It’s a powerful, albeit funny, reminder that they’re missing out on family time, even though they’re sitting right there.
Finally, he repeats his original request in a comically slow manner: “Pass…the salt.”
This time, with a new sense of awareness, his sons respond, sending the correct shaker his way.
The dad’s clever tactic is complete, and the message is clear—family dinners are meant to be a time to connect, not retreat into the virtual world.
The video resonated with viewers worldwide, who appreciated the humor and the lesson behind it.
One viewer from Italy commented, “Thank you from Italy, Matthew, it’s the same all over the world…”
It seems parents everywhere can relate to the struggle of competing for their kids’ attention against the lure of technology.
This humorous family moment is not only entertaining, but it reminds us ALL to put our phones aside, so we can truly enjoy those around us.
Watch the video below to see this dad’s unforgettable move!
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