Distant
I’ve been watching couples and families lately when I’ve gone out to eat. It’s amazing how many people text and/or talk on the phone when they are dining with someone else. I see this as saying (without words of course) “You don’t/can’t have my full attention.”
Now, now, Brig … in some cases there is a completely different message. That being, “I am so comfortable with you, I don’t feel the need to fill every waking minute with idle conversation, your company is enough.” Doesn’t mean they don’t have your full attention when it is needed, though.
That’s why they call such behavior “acting like an old couple”. Take it from a happy member of one of those couples … we spend dinner each reading our own books while we eat, only talking really on the way in, the way out, or if an idle thought strolls by our mind we feel like sharing at the moment.
You’d probably REALLY freak if you saw us, too. I use a Xoom (Android tablet) and I upgraded her Kindle to a Kindle Fire as a Christmas present. Two people sitting there with tablets is way more noticeable. 😀
Having to deal with computers every second of the work week, I’m notoriously difficult to reach during the weekend. I do NOT read email on weekends; I NEVER feel compelled to have my phone with me (nor does it have a data plan – on purpose), and the few times I do text on the phone, I spell out every word, and use proper grammar and punctuation.
Fortunately, I can get away with all that ’cause I’m and IT person; we’re SUPPOSED to be weird in a geeky way. 🙂
I think there’s a difference, somehow, between reading a book at table and texting or phoning . A book is a static thing and isn’t a different ‘person’ (like the one on the other end of a text) enjoying your company. Enjoying a book at breakfast is like enjoying a cup of coffee…it needn’t take you away. This may be because I like to read at the table…
And of course, reading a tablet counts as reading….you can have all of Twain, RLS and Heinlein in one hand!
Reading during a meal (newspapers) or maybe watching a television show is one thing. You can share sections of the paper, and discuss and share a television broadcast experience. Hey you’re sharing right? But, reading different texts (books) on a tablet is being more self-serving…do like how tablets offer space saving convenience…maybe on day I’ll have one.
Anyway, in the comic Midge and Mouse are talking to each other while hiding from each other. That’s pretty funny and yet so true to life.
On a similar note, this comic is reminding me of one of the many amusing google April Fools videos that came out yesterday and have links in yesterday’s comic discussion. I’m thinking of the G-mail Tap App. It’s Morse Code with only 2 keys, a dot and a dash, making it especially useful for people with “fat” fingers, ha. They even had a doubled up version so you can tap out morse code texts to 2 different people at the same time, yah, right…not. Funny thing was that someone commented that morse code originally used just one key, so the google spoof app was overkill. Huh? Using four separate single-button keys to keep 4 separate phone texts going simultaneously… Seems talking would be so much simpler.
Technology is pretty rad and pretty scary all at once. Good thing there are cat videos!
No amount of texting will every substitute good ol’ fashioned yelling-at-one-another.
Sigh…I miss my old friends and family…
My hubby told me that there was a recent study about cell phone addiction. That they found that people who use their cell phones constantly, have the same level of endorphin’s rushing through their systems as someone who is in love.
I don’t remember what the percentage was but out of the folks in the study, most of them said that they would rather give up sex then their cell phones. Pretty scary if you ask me… I know people who can’t go five seconds without checking their cell phone to see if they have a new text or message…
I really believe that it’s time to unplug some of these people…
Actually, Brig, I don’t think you got the message quite right. It should be“You don’t/can’t deserve my attention.”
Uh… Isn’t “Mouser” a name given to a cat who is good at killing off mice?
If both parties are okay with it, I don’t have a problem. Patrick and I have Rollick’s dates where we each bring a book–or he does and I play on my Kindle Fire. Now if they’re sitting at the same table and texting each other…
I don’t like seeing people texting/phoning while eating or driving
either.
Just sayin, be careful and don’t judge because you never know. I see that kind of thing and I wonder … does one of them have a speech impediment and would rather type than talk? Perhaps one of them is deaf and the other does not know sign language? Perhaps they have an anxiety disorder and by typing they keep their eyes off the room, fooling their own mind into forgetting they are in public and thinking they are, instead, alone (and therefore safe)?
I’ve been judged by others for far sillier things so I worry about looking like an idiot (not to mention hypocrite, if I did that) myself if I jump to conclusions. So I always give them benefit of the doubt.
Now if they outright prove me wrong and they ARE being idiots, then all bets are off, and so are my safeties. ::evil grin::
No doubt, Technology is awesome and stupid at the same time. It can connect us and separate us all at once… a double edged sword. If you and your person you’re with have an understanding, then fine. Recently, I had a conversation with someone who nailed it… when you are texting or whatever, you are never IN THE MOMENT… can’t enjoy the now.
Dada… yah… Yelling at someone in person… that’s where it’s at.