I completely agree with sayt_smithy that it's not out of line for you to ask that laptops be away and phones in pockets. (If she's waiting for a job call, then she can hear the phone in her pocket, and answer that). If the call is important then they can take it in another room so that the game can continue for everyone else.
I say this not having managed to fully get this going with my group of friends. But The laptops and cell phones are a serious drain on the energy around the table. I had one person even take a phone call in the middle of the game while still sitting at the table, which he thought was OK because he thought the call would only take 30 seconds.
I have one PC that I have to let keep her laptop because when she gets bored either she checks her emails or distracts the other players and I'd rather the former, but the laptop still has to stay off the table and she has to go check it away from the table so the game can continue.
Now, remember that you're there to have fun - and feel free to discuss it with your players. Aside from the distractable girl, my group generally agrees that the laptops make it less fun for the rest of them.
Good luck! Sounds like you have a difficult group of PCs.
I say this not having managed to fully get this going with my group of friends. But The laptops and cell phones are a serious drain on the energy around the table. I had one person even take a phone call in the middle of the game while still sitting at the table, which he thought was OK because he thought the call would only take 30 seconds.
I have one PC that I have to let keep her laptop because when she gets bored either she checks her emails or distracts the other players and I'd rather the former, but the laptop still has to stay off the table and she has to go check it away from the table so the game can continue.
Now, remember that you're there to have fun - and feel free to discuss it with your players. Aside from the distractable girl, my group generally agrees that the laptops make it less fun for the rest of them.
Good luck! Sounds like you have a difficult group of PCs.
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