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?

But how do you know people who are on their phone in the street are surgically attached to it?

Maybe they haven't switched it on for a week and are sending a solitary text whilst walking to the bus stop?

So much judgment, on so little evidence!

Just live and let live

What if they're reading a book on iBooks?

This is never the case - they don't have the attention span for a book, unless it's something by Simon Cowell

I don't understand the difference between a phone and a book for these purposes. Or a book and an iPad. Particularly when you can read a book on your phone or your iPad....

How do you know they don't have the attention span for a book?

How are you finding all this out?

It just annoys me

There is something almost weak about not being able to be alone with yourself. Having to be externally stimulated. I annoy myself as I find I turn to the mobile increasingly, when I'm alone eg in s train.

YABU. I think the deliberately walking into people thing is very disturbing as well. So, is someone reading the Metro on the tube equally as annoying? Where's the line drawn?

Well the Metro is a very poor newspaper so yes

Why is time alone staring at nothing better than being on a phone?

I'm not saying it is, it's just this thing of requiring a constant distraction

What annoys me most is people gawping at the phone while ignoring caring for babies & small children.

Apparently pre-schoolers' language skills are regressing because of a reduction in interaction

Since I recently got a phone that is more than just a phoning phone (I'm a bit behind the times)I notice I look at it more and more like an addiction. Nothing much will have happened since I looked at it 5 minutes before so I am actually in the process of taking myself in hand and cutting down on my obsession. I think it is sad we are so attached to these things. We are missing real life.

I agree - that bit about language skills regressing reminded me that people who do well academically have normally heard many more words in the early years than their peers who do less well. I wonder whether parents being glued to their phone and not interacting has something to do with it.

Yes that is true Cat . I recently attended a speech and lang course where they described how the speech and language skills of five year olds entering school have been steadily falling over the last few years. They said it was thought to be a direct result of parents on screens and not talking to their children

How do you know it is "constant"?

I was our with dd today and I had my phone in my hand and was constantly looking at it.
I could see the looks people were giving me, like I was some kind off neglectful parent but I was. Actually looking at a map and trying to find my way around somewhere new
Phones are brilliant for so many reasons and you don't know what people are using them for.

This is never the case - they don't have the attention span for a book, unless it's something by Simon Cowell
Citation needed.

YABVU to walk into people because you don't like what they're doing that has absolutely no effect on you. In fact you're being a twat.

On Monday I sat in the garden for 2 hours whilst youngest Dc was at nursery. No phone. No iPad. My book in my lap but not reading it.

It was bliss but I don't do it very often...if I have free time I'm usually looking at my phone/iPad.

YAProbablyNBU

I do spend much of my time walking and on public transit alone, and I can't imagine taking my phone out in a restaurant. But my family lives on another continent, so if we're alone at the same time, I'd certainly rather chat with my mom while I walk to the shops than wait another week before we can talk. You don't know everyone's habits and situations.

YABU

I get the impression many people hate others using their phones a lot, I've sensed irritation on the bus from an older lady - perhaps it's more disturbing for some older people as things have changed so much. I use my phone to read the news, books, listen to podcasts, mobile banking, following a map, checking urgent emails, taking photos as memos, googling questions for the kids or showing them pictures of animals or whatever. The above is all productive and it's great to have access while out and about. People who don't understand what smartphones can do are more likely to think badly of those using their phones. Rather than being a neglectful parent I'm going online to give them more information or checking the school diary to ensure we buy the right items etc, it's brilliant. I also admit to using technology to fill the void - I have depression and chronic pain, distraction is a good technique to get through the day.

Anyone using a phone whilke driving should have it rammed up their arse. Perhaps that would actually be an effective deterrent.

What about the lady I came across recently fiddling with her phone at the top of an escalator. After making a few shuffling noises behind her I had to ask her if she was actually going to go down. She looked at me shocked and then said sorry. I think people get wrapped up in what they are looking at sometimes and forget where they are.

Is it compulsory now for a girl to use a handbag? I mean, I do mostly but if I'm nipping out sometimes I'll just bring my keys and phone.