AIBU to be annoyed that everyone seems to be on their phones all the time?

[kristinmoore0022]

On the train, when driving, when at a restaurant, while walking down the road. Even if they are not using it the phone is often clutched in a hand.

I know I should live and let live and I probably am being unreasonable but the fact that many people seem to have these phones surgically attached is really annoying me. Can't people spend a bit of time being alone every so often?

[Lilaclily]

I'm usually alone
Mumsnetting is still alone yes?

[kristinmoore0022]

Lilaclily Not really, you are physically alone but still having input from others, although digitally. I really mean being alone with your own thoughts without distraction.

[EquinoxBloom]

Are you mumsnetting from your phone?

Why are you online? Wouldn't it be more fun to sit and stare at the wall for a while?

[Welshmaenad]

I don't really understand the point of getting 'annoyed' at what others choose to do when it has zero impact on you.

Personally I need distracting from my own thoughts or I would go insane

[kristinmoore0022]

EquinoxBloom I never said that it was something not to do full stop, but it's the constant nature of it that is disturbing (especially walking/on the phone at the same time - why do people need to do this?)

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

I'd watch tv, but that involves input from other people.
I'd read a book, but someone wrote it so that's no good either.

[oldlaundbooth]

It annoys me too.

But I do it all the time so don't really moan about it.

[Dozer]

Driving - not OK, dangerous.
Walking - not a great plan, dangerous/risk of mugging.
In a restaurant - rude if with other people who might mind, alone - not your business
On train - not your business

[Jushilicious]

I find it very annoying too but am guilty of it myself although not when I have company or in a restaurant or driving.
It really annoys me when girls walk around with a mobile in their hand but no handbag! What's that all about?

[kristinmoore0022]

I said in the first post that I probably am being unreasonable, but it does annoy me.

I have to admit that I have taken to deliberately walking into people who are walking and texting at the same time, hopefully next time they think again.

[Dozer]

That's aggressive and mean.

Mobile punishment vigilantism

[dudsville]

I don't mind, phone, book, head phones, whatever floats your boat.

[dudsville]

and anyway, how do you know they don't spend time alone?

[NameChangeMum456]

Not annoying to me, mostly because before phones I had my nose in a book the same way. Now it's either my phone or my Kindle, although not when I'm walking and I don't drive.

[kristinmoore0022]

A book I could get behind

[powershowerforanhour]

They've probably got crap reception at home.

[gamerchick]

It's the zombie apocalypse, it did come

[gamerchick]

.

[Pipbin]

Before phones people had different distractions.

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

What if they're reading a book on iBooks?

[EquinoxBloom]

How do you know it's constant? Do you follow them around?

[VenusRising]

I sort of know what you mean op: I'm rather old fashioned, conversation at meal time kind of gal.

BUT you'd probably think I'm a phone wearing knob as my phone at the moment is massive and doesn't fit in my pocket....so I have it in my hand when I'm out and about also I can never hear it ring if I have it in my bag

Not sure what you intend to get as a result from assaulting people though.. Take it easy eh? They're not doing it to annoy you after all- no need for a personal and aggressive response....

Maybe try a session with a counsellor...
Were you much ignored as a child? Seems a very strong reaction to deliberately bump into people...... You do know that's assault don't you?

[juneau]

I have to admit that I have taken to deliberately walking into people who are walking and texting at the same time



Yeah, it pisses me off two OP. I look at my phone, but I'm not surgically attached to it and I often leave it lying around somewhere and don't notice for hours.

I love that painting of how people ignored each other before smartphones. A good book has always done the trick for me.

[juneau]

two? too

[Welshmaenad]

So you deal with people doing you no harm whatsoever by being deliberately twatty and aggressive? Alrighty then.

Quite often when I have my nose in my phone I'm reading a book on my kindle app, because it's easier than carrying my kindle around.