The Small (small) Screen: addicted to our phones.
In a coffee shop today, I discreetly observed an elderly man with his two granddaughters, young teens who had just finished a sports game. My heart broke for him as he tried to engage them, smiling as he talked proudly about one girl’s great kick, or recounting gleefully about a dexterous move the other pulled off in the game’s final minutes.
He got only grunts and rolling eyes in response. They barely looked up from their phones, hypnotized by their screens.
Many others around us were similarly glued to their screens, as they had coffee and chatted with friends.
Neighbors have a great rule when they go out to dinner: all the phones go in the center of the table — and the first to check their phone has to pay the bill. Fantastic! Remember how we used to reminisce, tease, and debate over some detail, like which actor starred in that movie, or when a certain rock band came to town? Now, someone just whips out a phone to fact-check, when having the answer isn't usually pivotal.
What’s a Savvy Girl to do? How do you manage the small screen? And how do you handle it when friends or family can’t tear themselves away from their screens?
So true! That should be one sign of a true lady – no checking phones during conversations – be it acquaintances, dates, friends or family. Good tip – though so obvious, it will be nice to observe and think of yourself as one savvy girl : )
Hello Rose, lovely to see your name pop up! You’re right, the phone can too easily take over and detract from the time we have with friends or others. But being aware of how it encroaches is a great step.
Thanks for stopping by, and my apologies for the delay – I don’t know how I missed your comment earlier.
Alicia
Great etiquette tip Alicia! It really annoys me when you catch up with friends for a meal/coffee/vino and they spend half their time on their phone. I understand that we are in a world of social media where people like to keep up to date with what everyone else is doing, so add a comment on what you’re up to, but don’t be tweeting every 5 minutes. Friends should be aware, my time is valuable to and I’ve chosen to spend it with you not your phone or your cyber friends! It’s so lovely to meet up with friends face to face, we should make the most of it.
Hi Holly, I know what you mean. Feel free to post, but how important are things that we have to report them every few minutes?
Here’s to Savvy Girls the world over, who put down the phone and immerse themselves in real-world connections with real friends!
Thanks,
Alicia
Wow, how timely! Just in time for our first Easter Sunday Brunch with our new granddaughter (65 days old!) Amelia and her parents. We are all screen people so this really helps me to think in advance about this matter to help prevent a faux pas. I think talking about it in advance is the way to go here; get everyone’s take on it and hopefully reach a consensus before the great event next weekend.
Whew!
Thanks, Alicia!
Hello Louisa, how gorgeous that little Amelia is already more than two months old!
Thanks for your input – here’s to a lovely family catch-up amid a screen-free Easter Sunday Brunch! 🙂
Alicia
As it happens, I had lunch with a friend yesterday who told me when we sat down that she was going to have her phone on the table in case a call/message came through regarding her kids (on in school, the other in day care). I really appreciated her telling me at the start of our catchup as opposed to her continuously looking at her phone during our catchup. I do otherwise find it the height of rudeness and have been tempted to just get up and leave when friends are doing this whilst catching up with me. Am I not important enough to have their undivided attention or am I THAT boring?? And why is it some feel the need to post on social media where they are and/or who they are with when they are out with others. Don’t they respect the privacy of their companions? A real pet hate really….. up there with watching tv at a family dinner – now don’t get me started on that one!!!
Tander, I agree. Sounds like your friend made all the difference by mentioning she was expecting a call, it shows respect for your time. I’ve been tempted to get up and leave when friends can’t tear themselves away form their phone – and for the most banal things! I’ve even visualized putting dropping their phone in their drink! (I haven’t done it!). And you’re right; people need to ask before posting their friend’s details on FB or other social media… same goes for tagging them in photos. Small gestures that make a difference!
Happy Easter,
Alicia