| I can very much relate to Adam's observations, in two ways: First, I constantly have to withstand the temptation to use the "occasional" moment to check my phone when I am with other people. I probably only manage to stay strong 50% of the time, and I have been (deservedly) called out on it. Yet, I so far find myself unable to abandon this unnecessary, rude and impersonal behavior. Second, I have been in countless situations where I have become annoyed with people that constantly check their phones while they are engaged in a conversation with me. I have actively ("do you mind...") and passively (just stop talking until they look up) called people out on this behavior, and will continue to do so. Why I, as a "victim" of constant phone-checking, continue to engage in the same rude pattern myself is somewhat a mystery to me. I believe it is partly related to the urge to "beat" your inbox by processing emails as fast as possible. Adam also mentioned that divided attention has somewhat become socially acceptable, and that might be an excuse I subconsciously use ("hey, the others are doing it as well"). People oftentimes don't even make an effort to hide what they are currently focusing on... I think the most important part for me will be to be consistent - either (sadly) continue to engage in this behavior, and don't be offended if other people do it as well, or (much preferably) stop it altogether and behave in a way that my parents would have considered decent. |