I love having a cell phone. I really do. I like that I can get a hold of my kids when I need to, or track my parents down when I am worried about them. I like that I can send a quick text message to someone, and get a quick message back. They are convenient and make me feel safe.
BUT . . . I wish there were some established rules regarding cell phone use in public—and in particular when you are out with other couples.
Here are a few true stories from my life recently.
1. We have two couples at our house for dinner. While everyone is sitting in the family room visiting, one of the women receives a text from her child. For the next twenty minutes she texts her child and talks to the lady next to her about the texts she is receiving. The rest of us try to carry on a conversation without them, but it is very distracting since we are all sitting in the same room.
2. We are out to dinner and a movie with another couple. We pick them up and all the way to the restaurant the man talks on the phone. He puts the phone away for dinner (thankfully) but resumes his talking as soon as we get back in to the car. He also talks on his phone all the way home.
3. We are with two other couples driving to Mesa (1 hour drive). All the way there and back the two men are playing games on their phones.
I could go on . . . and on and on.
None of these people are casual acquaintances. They are all very good friends. (Or at least were until they read this . :-) But seriously, it drives me crazy. My personal opinion is that it is very rude and it is all I can do to keep myself from screaming, “Good grief!! Put away your phone!!”
But, then I feel I would be being rude as well. So, what do I do?
What is acceptable behavior and what isn’t?
And how do you deal with people who spend their time talking/texting others or playing games on their phones while you are together?
Advice is appreciated.
