We currently live in a society where one's cell phone is permanently attached to one's ear, and the need to be in constant communication is prevalent in all our lives. Not a day goes by when I don't text a friend or family member. It also doesn't help that I'm extremely awkward on the phone. I guess I wouldn't have survived as a young adult in the 90s, when texting wasn't even an option!
Despite my addiction to my iPhone and the bells and whistles that come with it, I am able to put my phone down. I cannot say the same for other people. When it comes time to go to work, or listen to my professor lecture, or have a conversation with someone, my phone goes into my pocket. There it stays until I am done doing what I need to do. I won't lie and say I'm not tempted to reach into my pocket and check it, but I resist the urge, partially because I know it's the right thing to do, but mostly because when someone pays more attention to their phone than me, I find myself secretly enraged.
Now, I'm not saying that because I love attention-it's quite the opposite actually; I shy away from big public events and parties and you'd probably find me in my room watching Netflix on "thirsty Thursday". However, I do find the one-on-one conversation with a friend or loved one stimulating, and when he or she decides to use his or her phone, I feel jaded, neglected, and a little pissed off. I suddenly adopt a "If I can wait, so can you!" mentality. Obviously there are emergencies, but overall I firmly believe that human contact is grossly undervalued in our society that currently places too much emphasis on technology. In turn, this has caused people to act in a rude manner, like texting while talking to someone, or taking a call in the middle of a conversation.
I always ruminate over this issue when it occurs, and sometimes I feel like it is a matter of manners. Some people have them, some people do not. However, when someone I truly know and love pulls out their phone and fails to pay attention, I find myself perplexed. Nine times out of ten this person I know so well does have manners. What makes them do this, then? A lapse of judgment? Perhaps. Or maybe we are currently in a shift of what is socially acceptable and what is not, and I'm just behind the times.
Society today has been ruined by technology overload, by all generations. What ever happened to eating dinner with your family without having your iPhone right next to you. I agree, it is socially acceptable nowadays to have your phone glued to your side. I was reminiscing not too long ago on what it was like without cell phones and all these social networks.
ReplyDelete"I agree, it is socially acceptable nowadays to have your phone glued to your side."
ReplyDeleteNot in my house. Barring an ongoing emergency (like a daughter having surgery, or the company data center in NYC flooding), phones are not allowed at the dinner table.
Yes! I just posted a blog about social networks and it has to do with why cell phones are out all the time, for most. I agree we should stray away from keeping our phones out. We were all taught to give someone's attention by looking into their eyes, how can you look into someone's eyes reading a text message!? I see the aggravation people have with this, happens to me aswell. But I am guilty of it. Sometimes when I become bored and if there is no conversation I tend reach for my phone. It's a habit but a controled habit in the setting I am in.
ReplyDeleteThis is something I can certainly relate to. I have seen this a lot especially at work, when I will be helping a customer who is using a cell phone. The thing is, many of these people act like it is completely acceptable and not rude to be having a completely different conversation with someone while an employee is attempting to provide them with a service.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this problem in my workplaces as well. I worked at Subway for a few years, and people would be ordering while talking on the phone. I'd get dirty looks for "interrupting" their conversations to ask them what they'd like on their subs.
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