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?

I'm usually alone
Mumsnetting is still alone yes?

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.

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?

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

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?)

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.

It annoys me too.

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

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

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?

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.

That's aggressive and mean.

Mobile punishment vigilantism

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

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

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.

A book I could get behind

They've probably got crap reception at home.

It's the zombie apocalypse, it did come

.

Before phones people had different distractions.

What if they're reading a book on iBooks?

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

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?

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.

two? too

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.