I don’t live in a population center. It’s probably like this in any big city. But I couldn’t get over the cell phone fixation I saw everywhere in Paris.
We rarely sat down or walked anywhere without someone nearby gazing into his or her phone. A five person dinner group next to us in a café, three generations worth, pulled out five cell phones and at one point all five were gazing into four of the phones. Three other travelers in a train station, all peering into phone screens. Bus riders. Taxi drivers. Seemingly, everyone.
You have captured scenes that I personally find very disturbing. Although I love all the new technology, I abhor the absorption and attention paid to electronics when people could be socializing with one another instead. I’ve watched couples and groups at meals and am frankly horrified at their inability to converse with one another. My rule in my home is that all electronic devices are turned off during family gatherings. In my book it’s another act of extreme rudeness when people are more tuned into their phones rather than their companions.
I TOTALLY agree with Kate and think it’s very sad that society thinks it’s more important to stay fixed on phones, tablets etc. than to communicate one on one when coming together for meals and gatherings. Despite so many states declaring it illegal to use a cell phone while driving, we still see people daily doing so – no value for other’s lives whatsoever.
Our rule for family get togethers is – NO SCREENS – that works pretty well, especially since most of the family tend to get into discussions and activities anyway.
i know exactly what you mean!! it annoys me so very much.. i dont have such a phone and also dont desire one. but i get so very frustrated being surrounded by people checking theirs… when we have dinner, when we go to a movie… etc etc. why cant they speak with ME? tim and me have had some fight over it as well… yesterday we had a long walk, and afterwards he said; so why do you only complain when i use my phone? i didnt use it the entire time and i dont even get a compliment…
and here in the netherlands the dutch even do it while biking; absolutely crazy.
Absolutely a hot button with me! Often I see tables at restaurants and the tiny kids (their own phones??!!) texting away! I laugh about the folks walking down the streets eyes glues to the phone..maybe they will walk into a pothole? No smart phone for me! I have a Tracphone..but then I guess I’m a fuddyduddy.
Very clever! The new illness of our times…