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The Clooneys phone policy.

(39 Posts)
Usedtobeblonde Tue 08-Jul-25 18:09:48

It is reported that Amal and George Clooney have a basket by their front door into which all guests must deposit their phones.
This is to protect their privacy, they never show their children in photographs.
I would hope that were I ever to be in their position I would trust my visitors to uphold my rules without confiscating their phones.
It seems a very extreme step to me.

Greciangirl Wed 09-Jul-25 17:47:11

Good idea Astitchintime.

foxie48 Wed 09-Jul-25 17:26:13

Having a rule that applies to everyone saves the embarrassment of having to ask some to leave their phones whilst allowing others to keep them.

Ninny123 Wed 09-Jul-25 17:04:52

My daughter had the same experience when she was working in the fashion industry.
She visited Paris Hilton’s home in LA with her team , they all had to leave their phones in a basket my the door - security really . Although she did take a photo of the front door 😂

4allweknow Wed 09-Jul-25 16:56:00

Not just taking pictures, there could be recording going on. Can't see a problem with their demands.

welbeck Wed 09-Jul-25 16:49:42

Doodledog

I suspect they absolutely don’t 😂😂.

In circles where ‘staff’ ensure cleanliness, and flooring can easily be replaced there is never a ‘shoes off’ rule. Or so I’m told.

Indeed.
I didn't notice all the big wigs in their finery of sashes and medals traipsing along the red carpet unshod to the state banquet in Windsor castle last night.

GoldenAge Wed 09-Jul-25 16:31:18

This is the Clooneys' business but personally I wouldn't do that, any more than I would place a basket by the door with slippers in for people to remove their shoes. I partly understand the need to be the king of one's castle but well socialised people don't need that degree of policing. The next question is whether you actually let strangers into your home. Of course we all do - I think - tradespeople - can we really relieve them of their phones? However, I did once ask a cleaner to turn her phone off as she was always whispering. She refused, saying she had to be available if there were a phone call about her children from school.

Mojack26 Wed 09-Jul-25 16:29:46

I would'nt be visiting ifthat was the case! If yiu can't trust friends and family that's a sad state of affairs ..Pretentious I think

merlotgran Wed 09-Jul-25 16:20:36

They are probably not a threat either - but it only takes one in need of money to pay his/her debts.

Then they’d be even deeper in debt when the Clooney’s have finished with them!

Still, at least they made it to the front door. I bet visitors to a certain Montecito Mansion have to hand over their phones at the gate!

AmberGran Wed 09-Jul-25 16:11:10

merlotgran

I would understand their wishes if I were a stranger or infrequent visitor but a friend?
I would be disappointed and annoyed that they clearly didn’t trust me.

They probably do trust 98% of the people who come to their home implicitly. But it would be impossible to insist some people follow the rule and others don't need to - plus at times friends probably bring friends and family that the Clooneys don't know that well. They are probably not a threat either - but it only takes one in need of money to pay his/her debts.

Aveline Wed 09-Jul-25 15:56:14

Friends are welcome to photograph our home and record conversation but won't be able to sell them anywhere. The Clooneys at home would sell for megabucks! Quite right they don't allow phones in.

Romola Wed 09-Jul-25 15:53:03

I don't blame the Clooneys one bit. Even friends might not be above making use of pictures and recordings, if only to boast to others.

Maggieanne Wed 09-Jul-25 15:12:20

There are sneaky people who, on the pretext of going to the loo, would take photos of someones' home and then put them all over FB

Usedtobeblonde Wed 09-Jul-25 13:36:50

I agree, friends should be trusted and trustworthy.
If you suspect others to have ulterior motives meet them away from your home and your children.
Good friends should be treated like family.

Astitchintime Wed 09-Jul-25 12:42:15

Great idea…….I will find a suitable basket and impose the same rule when my DGD visit……they’re always glued to their mobiles.

Labradora Wed 09-Jul-25 12:37:40

The Clooneys are rich, famous and political.
My feeling is "they're not like me". So it doesn't surprise me that they have different rules and these sorts of rules in particular.
For all their advantages and benefits famous people have the downside of people trying to use them and make money out of them. I know that's a big "Boohoo" but I can see that you would certainly want to protect your children.
People recording and photographing is a massive "thing" these days particularly for younger generations so see the need to take precautions.
I would never do it with my own friends obvs.If you can't trust them then they're not your friends.

Magenta8 Wed 09-Jul-25 10:19:45

Shinamae

I think it would be a good idea, but not for the reasons they give but purely so that people will have to actually have conversations….🤓

I went to a reunion gathering recently and I would say at least 50% of the people there spent most of their time looking at their phones.

merlotgran Wed 09-Jul-25 09:59:50

'It’s important to get that balance where you have time alone with your family and with your friends where people feel like you can have a safe and frank exchange. And I would say becoming a parent means you’re more troubled by some of the intrusions.

I have copied and pasted this quote by Amal Clooney.

They must invite some very odd people to their home(s).

Doodledog Wed 09-Jul-25 04:51:43

I suspect they absolutely don’t 😂😂.

In circles where ‘staff’ ensure cleanliness, and flooring can easily be replaced there is never a ‘shoes off’ rule. Or so I’m told.

NotSpaghetti Wed 09-Jul-25 04:11:03

I expect they do that anyway Nottooold

NotTooOld Tue 08-Jul-25 23:45:00

Good luck to them. Nest time they visit me I'll make them take their shoes off.

Shinamae Tue 08-Jul-25 23:35:27

I think it would be a good idea, but not for the reasons they give but purely so that people will have to actually have conversations….🤓

henetha Tue 08-Jul-25 23:17:24

Seems like a good idea to me.

Doodledog Tue 08-Jul-25 21:22:26

My friends don't take photos of my house, or of any children in it. Therefore I have no rules about photography. The Clooneys, presumably, have different considerations. Therefore they have different rules.

No comparison, and neither situation is 'extreme' - it's just a case of adapting to the circumstances.

NotSpaghetti Tue 08-Jul-25 21:06:44

GrannyGravy13

Brilliant idea, I shall start looking for a basket to match my hallway 👏👏👏

I would also have to look for something to put the basket on - unless it was to just sit on the floor?.... where I'd repeatedly trip over it! grin

merlotgran Tue 08-Jul-25 20:50:25

I would understand their wishes if I were a stranger or infrequent visitor but a friend?
I would be disappointed and annoyed that they clearly didn’t trust me.