Community Chat

[Shorty2U]

DH and I went out to a nice seafood dinner tonight.

While waiting for our dinner, an elderly man came in with another man who was his "adult" son. (I know it was his son because he called him dad). They sat near us, (I was facing them).

The son went on his cellphone the entire time, (he was texting ). His dad kept talking to him, but he wasn't paying attention to his dad most of the time. The dad even said are you listening? At one point the dad even tapped his sons arm to get his attention.

I thought this was so rude and so sad. I didn't interfere (of course), but I felt like saying to the son that he should listen to his dad, because I wish my dad was still alive to talk to. I miss him every day. Some day this mans dad will not be here and he will regret ignoring him.

I am so sick of people on cellphones everywhere, especially while driving and in restaurant's. It annoys me when parents hand their kids the phones too to keep them busy instead of talking to their kids about school or their lives, but this is the new world I guess?

But this took the cake today. I felt so bad for this dad who just wanted to spend time with his son and talk to him.

[chrystaltree]

It's the new reality.  The dad would have had better luck if he'd texted his son.

[ValuSkr]

I'm with you on this.  Our obsession with mobile phones & devices is dehumanizing.  I don't like it.

[bonnielu]

My family is glued to the phone also when they come visit or when I visit.  And when I make the call to them, no answer, when I email them no answer.  When I text, they respond.  Seems I am out of the communication loop unless I text.  I guess it IS the new reality.  Sad.

[BornToShop]

DH & I had breakfast at Cracker Barrel this past weekend.  A family of 5; mom, dad & 3 teens...all disengaged & guess what???  All 5 heads down, lazar-focused on their cellphones.  No dialog, no eye contact, no nada. They barely acknowledged the waitress who wanted to take their order.  What has our society come to?!?  Everyone is so disconnected, I have no hope they can ever connect.  

[september]

I don't ever pull my phone out in a restaurant, unless I want to share some photos.  It's the same way with all of my friends and family. I don't think this is so common..unless you're looking for it?  

[Suziepeach]

It's a darn shame to see people, like @Shorty2U seeing at the restaurant, people on their phones, oblivious to their family and surroundings.  Like at Disney, people yakking on their phone while on the rides, everyone at dinner at the same table on their phones- no interaction whatsoever between them- I just shake my head and thank goodness our cellphones don't come first.

[GCR18]

It's sad.  I like to be respected, so I treat people the way I like to be treated.  If I bring my phone, it's turned off when I'm with others.

[nomless]

Sad, indeed.

[jaxs mom]

It's really no one elses business. I know adults that are autism spectrum that bring their electronic devices out to restaurants and it's helpful for them to cope with what would otherwise be a very stressful environment. I just try and mind my own business and not worry about it, especially when we have no idea what's going on with other people. It's not like we are talking about loud drunks distrupting the whole restaurant. Now that I can see being unhappy about.