Is Your phone that FREAKING important to you.Phones And Quality time

originally posted by: ImmortalLegend527
I see couples walking down the street..texting while walking.I see couples in the car and one is texting or neck is bent over looking at something maybe on social media.I went to a friends house the other day, was invited to dinner and the kids were at the table texting while eating dinner..the wife as well.

Yesterday, I decided to treat my self to a lobster dinner and as I sat in the restaurant I looked at all the couples and family at the tables.At every table, some one was looking at their phone.The father sitting at one table had to have asked his daughter within 20 minutes to put her phone away at least 5 times while i was sitting there.

Just curious how many of you go through this? It takes away the quality time one should spend with family and friends.

How does one win against the phones?

I remember when I'd see couples out eating together reading newspapers and families relaxing at the beach or pool with magazines and novels in their hands, not paying attention to each other. Everyone seemed fine with that. Then there's always those people you see eating together in silence who don't talk to each other; just look at their food and watch other people.

Then there's the couple who dine out and share the same booth seat instead of sitting across from each other who are wrapped up in each other gazing into each others faces, entranced with every move the other makes.

Back in the day, sitting at a typewriter, writing a letter, was viewed as a big deal a big shhhh, don't bother them because what they're doing is important. Watching their fingers fly over the keys left one a bit in awe. Now days, writing a text message or email is seen like a big mehhh. Only since everyone does it right, even little kids can. And do. No one's in awe, just maybe annoyed or feeling left out, so the typical response to that is get out their smartphones or go on their computer and engage their interest somewhere else, watch t.v., read a book, until they get with someone that interacts with them one on one.

originally posted by: tinner07
I see that a lot at work too. On break everybody looking at their phone.

Me too now. I am 52, back in the day everybody had their nose in a news paper at break.

Well there you go.

Riding on trains, buses, planes, almost everyone reading newspapers, novels or magazines. No one bitched much then.

Who cares what people do with their free time?

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

Ever read Ray Bradbury's The Veldt? It had a profound impact on me about 15 years ago. It terrified me.

I still think about it regularly, when I see kids freak out about having their tech limited.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Who cares what people do with their free time?

Everyone with their free time.

It's a circle of care.
But priorities first!
Phone > RL

What people think on the phone is of paramount importance!
People in real life? Ehhh it's minor.

And why do you care who cares what people do with their free time anyways?
I sense guilt.

originally posted by: muzzleflash
And why do you care who cares what people do with their free time anyways?

I don't. If people want to get worked up about other people using their phones that's their issue.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Who cares what people do with their free time?

I don't, until it start affecting other people, ie, stopping or slowing people down by walking like a zombie with their heads down, causing traffic accidents because they are on their device, not being able to get somebodys attention, ect.

a reply to: kyleplatinum

The Original Post was discussing it at dinner.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: muzzleflash
And why do you care who cares what people do with their free time anyways?

I don't. If people want to get worked up about other people using their phones that's their issue.

I hope you sensed my typical sarcasm when I said that.

I know a guy who hates it when we use the word issue. He always trys to remind us that it's a problem, and that an issue is basically our children or to 'sally forth'.

I told him he has many issues.

a reply to: muzzleflash


I'm in sales and we don't call it a 'problem', it's a 'challenge'.

a reply to: chelsdh
Had to watch "The Veldt". I had not seen it before. Yes anything done in excess can be detrimental to body and psyche.

I think many have reached that point where only an EMP attack will be able to free them.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: muzzleflash


I'm in sales and we don't call it a 'problem', it's a 'challenge'.

You mean an "opportunity".
I'm in...the creative writing department.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: kyleplatinum

The Original Post was discussing it at dinner.

OP also refered to people walking down the street texting and people driving. In the first sentence.

a reply to: Gothmog

I bought my first one in March. Son got lost coming to meet us, and our phones would just not accomplish the task of Google Maps. So I upgraded all 3 of the phones. I probably am the only one of us that actually use it for what it was meant for. I do find it nice to be able to check email and do schoolwork when I can't be at home. I have all of two games and I never open them. It also helps that no one calls or texts me anyway lol But at least in an emergency I can function almost as well as having a computer right in front of me.

It just floors me that the first computer I ever had is SMALLER capacity wise than my freaking phone.

a reply to: ImmortalLegend527

How does one win against the phones?

You can't. Technology has reduced face to face interaction. It's caused many young people to become lazy, rude, mean and disrespectful. I thought my generation who didn't grow up with cell phones wouldn't become obsessed, but some have succumb to it mostly because of the popularity of Facebook.

I hated answering the old wired land phones back in the day. Now I have to communicate by texting to my kids. It's their preferred method. What the hell happen to calling someone and using your voice to communicate! My damn fingers are too big and it frustrates the hell out of me just trying to send out one line of text! I don't know how these young people can text so fast!

I think the older generation can easily relate to your frustration. Times have sure changed. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: muzzleflash
And why do you care who cares what people do with their free time anyways?

I don't. If people want to get worked up about other people using their phones that's their issue.

Don't think it is safe to help anyone on the road anymore. In fact it is now a patently bad
idea to be chatting with a person who has pulled over to ask directions since, in their free time, motor vehicle operators are playing with themselves, texting into their collars, while driving. God help you if you are changing a flat. Assume every driver is aiming for you and step off the road when any car approaches. You cannot hear the electric missiles so you must train your peripherals to detect movement. If you have kids, with bikes, tell them to stay on the sidewalk as much as possible, and to pedal on the wrong side of the road so they have a chance to see and avoid what is about to hit em, and run. They will need supplementary instruction regarding crossing driveways, alleys, and streets, since drivers, even when they were responsible, before car surfing, never look to the immediate right when exiting these routes. I suggest we use some of our free time to teach our children what high level assholes adults have become.

Tonight, aside from the standard brace of guided missiles blowing controlled intersections with their newfound self entitlement, was the added hazard of two SUV's ambling slowly down the center of the dark street, with the drivers transfixed to some website, I presume, or perhaps checking their app for LE so they don't have to stop at stop signs.

I watched as both SUV's decelerated, and wandered first down the center of the street, and then periously close to cars parked on the side of the oncoming lane, which is common, as a way to minimize risk of plowing off the road into the curb, or into any parked vehicles to the right, when the operator is using free time to be engrossed with a 3 inch toy.

One of them stopped, screeching to a halt, just before nearly sideswiping a parked car on the opposite side of the road, possibly because the computer, having sensed a collision, stopped the car in lieu of the driver. This is exactly why cops are getting scraped against cars at high speed during a traffic stop. It could happen to anyone, because people have lost touch with the reality of what operating a vehicle implies. And when they run you over, they flee, since cognitive dissonance is too shocking to come to grips with.

# 865

I've been really irked lately by this issue.
It's summer, a time when we eat outside, have guests over a lot, socialize more than usual as people are on vacation.

I kept finding myself at tables with everyone silently staring at their phone!

This is France - a meal is the big social event usually; they last for hours and include debates and stories and jokes and arguments.... not this year. This is the first time since I moved to France (27 years) that I've spent the summer at silent dinner tables all summer.

I don't bring my phone to the table, or to any moment where I am with others. I got really pissed off many times this last few months. This was a thing people complained teens were doing, but now it's all ages.

I do not always charge my phone. I "forget" to do it often because I kind of resent being a slave to it. I quit smoking for that reason too. People proclaim they want freedom, but I suspect they just mean they want to choose their prison themselves then give up.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

Who cares what people do with their free time?

Ah... if only people would reserve it for their free time! When they are not driving cars, making exchanges in public places, walking in crowded areas, have small children under their responsibility, have arranged social gatherings to develop relational bonds and alliances, or happen to have embarked upon projects of partnering with others in living arrangements like marriage....


If someone can't put down something even when they risk killing someone with their car, losing their relationship with their family or friends, possibly injuring people passing by, then they are not "free", they suffer from an addiction.

originally posted by: flowerpower691
a reply to: Gothmog

I bought my first one in March. Son got lost coming to meet us, and our phones would just not accomplish the task of Google Maps. So I upgraded all 3 of the phones. I probably am the only one of us that actually use it for what it was meant for. I do find it nice to be able to check email and do schoolwork when I can't be at home. I have all of two games and I never open them. It also helps that no one calls or texts me anyway lol But at least in an emergency I can function almost as well as having a computer right in front of me.

It just floors me that the first computer I ever had is SMALLER capacity wise than my freaking phone.

I like your name there. That was one of my mantras back in the day....
Reminds me of days long gone.
I have 3 Gaming PCs , 2 laptops (one gaming) , one work laptop , and I am never without access . If I need it. No one has to "text" or email me. They can call toll free from anywhere in the world. Or come see me.
I check my email about once every 3 months. If it was important enough they wouldnt email . They would call.
The way I roll.
The first "computer" I had was a Vic-20 .What was yours ? A sheet of paper had more "bits"

originally posted by: muzzleflash
You mean an "opportunity".
I'm in...the creative writing department.

An 'opportunity' in sales is a chance to make money.