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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think smartphones are a blight on our society?

55 replies

WhoDaresWins · 12/05/2014 18:13

Took DC to the cinema yesterday and we sat down with about 20 mins until the film started.

It was quite full and as I looked around, the most common sight was a parent tapping away on a phone while the kids fidgeted. One particular parent didn't exchange a single word with her son for the whole time - she was tapping, he sat in silence.

Now I'm not holier than thou in this regard, I probably do it as much as everyone else although I'm aware of it and try to catch myself. So I'm not judging as I would be judging myself.

But as a society, we need to kick this habit don't we?

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 14/05/2014 11:55

I don't have a smart phone and am trying to resist getting one. All my friends and family keep going on about when I am going to get one. I just want to text and call people. I'm not bothered about going on the internet and downloading a load of apps. I know if I got a smart phone that I would end up becoming addicted to it.

angelos02 · 14/05/2014 12:00

YANBU. It is so sad that you see people together in pubs, cafes etc and they keep checking their phone. I think it is rude. Put your phone in your bag and leave it. It is so sad.

CorusKate · 14/05/2014 12:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 13:00

Because it makes people think they look important, but in reality they just look needy.

Momonga · 14/05/2014 13:02

YABU. Rude, inconsiderate people are the problem here. Smartphones are great and so useful. My last trip to the cinema, the main problem was people talking all the bloody time. Rude inconsiderate people again.

CorusKate · 14/05/2014 13:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

angelos02 · 14/05/2014 13:58

Because it makes people think they look important, but in reality they just look needy* yy to this.

Some people can't seem to be able and just sit and enjoy their own company. There is a woman that occasionally gets on the same bus as me and she always rings someone. Its always inane waffle. Unfortunately I can hear her.

CorusKate · 14/05/2014 14:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 14:13

"But normal people have smartphones now. You'd have to be deluded to think it makes you look important."

"Normal" people don't feel the need to look important though Grin

angelos02 · 14/05/2014 14:13

Its not having a smart phone that is the problem. The problem is that people don't seem to be able to leave them alone. On holiday mine goes in the safe and stays there for the duration.

Bunbaker · 14/05/2014 14:21

"On holiday mine goes in the safe and stays there for the duration."

On one occasion when I didn't have my phone DD and I went on a boat trip (OH went for a very long walk instead) that we thought was returning at 3pm. When the skipper told us we were calling at another port on the trip I couldn't contact OH and he had another two and a half anxious hours wondering where we were. After that we decided that if we were going to do different things during the day we would have our phones with us.

Otherwise our phones go in the safe as well.

picnicbasketcase · 14/05/2014 14:22

YANBU

Sent from my iPhone

CountessVronsky · 14/05/2014 14:24

You're right, they are.

Very few people are able to give their full attention to the moment at hand. And, a lot of correspondence falls by the wayside because you read an email while you're out and forget about it, as opposed to sitting down and saying, right, I'm going to catch up on my emails now.

I've challenged myself to just leave my iphone in my bag when I'm with other people (exception: being accessible to babysitters).

PaulinesPen · 14/05/2014 19:09

I don't even have one. My mobile is probably horribly untrendy but it does the job. I dont even use it much. What do people find to say all the time, that's what baffles meConfused

Mintyy · 14/05/2014 19:23

Today I was crossing the road at Vauxhall Cross (which is like one of the busiest road junctions you can imagine in a city). Its one of the places where you have to go across in two or three stages, all controlled by traffic lights and the traffic gets up to speeds of 30 mph +. There I witnessed a young woman, holding the hand of a very small toddler (a barely walking toddler), crossing while the man was on red (although the traffic was momentarily clear) whilst tapping on her FUCKING PHONE. Stupid stupid idiot.

hellokittymania · 15/05/2014 03:47

I have a visual impairment, so find smartphones wonderfully helpful and easier to use than a PC.

I live in Vietnam, where free wifi is everywhere and 3G is $2.50 per month with package...

I was lost last month in Australia with the limited wifi available...

differentnameforthis · 15/05/2014 04:26

YABU. It's not the phones, it the users.

cocacola1 · 15/05/2014 05:02

Don't know if this has been posted or not but the video is very moving click me

CorusKate · 15/05/2014 12:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Smilesandpiles · 15/05/2014 13:11

I'm in the middle of my exams at the moment and have heard endless rants and comments and arguments from kids about them having to turn their phones off.

They can't seem to get it into their heads that phones are not allowed, cue 2 people today being thrown out after their phones have gone off and another 1 a couple of days ago when they were caught using it. They argued "but it's on silent and it's my mate, I'm not looking at the answers".
1 had an actual temper tantrum because she didn't know how to turn it off before we went in.

I swear that some people will think that the world will end if thier phone isn't on or in their hands, it's like some form of life support. It's all too strange for me.

Bunbaker · 15/05/2014 15:52

"I've challenged myself to just leave my iphone in my bag when I'm with other people"

What is so difficult about that?
Puzzled

CorusKate · 15/05/2014 16:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dwerf · 15/05/2014 16:01

As a self-confessed net addict, I deliberately have a phone that the internet is crap on. If I'm away from the keyboard then I'm away. In the real world.

Of course I can still text and ring, but I don't tend to. I certainly wouldn't sit in the cinema texting. Phone goes off as soon as I'm sat.

wintertimeisfun · 15/05/2014 16:16

yanbu i agree

Bunbaker · 15/05/2014 16:29

Grin CorusKate

I just have a third hand Galaxy S2, but it does me.