Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

78 replies

kristinmoore0022 · 25/05/2016 18:42

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?

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 26/05/2016 02:03

I've definitely noticed it more, not sure it annoys me though as it doesn't affect me.

I am quite happy in my own company though, I could (and do) happily spend a bus journey staring out the window :o

chitofftheshovel · 26/05/2016 02:32

I am loving the irony of this thread

specialsubject · 26/05/2016 10:02

Yes, it occured to me too....although I have tablet and laptop only. I don't want a brickphone and one of the reasons is that I want to get away from the net when out of the house . too addictive!

blackheartsgirl · 27/05/2016 10:28

Yes is having a handbag on you at all times compulsory now Hmm

Omg who knew!

BeyondTellsEveryoneRealFacts · 27/05/2016 10:31

Meh, it saves having to look at people and no doubt do something else 'wrong' instead

purpleapple1234 · 27/05/2016 11:10

Annoys me too. For many people it is an addiction and the constant use of phones means that it has become normalised. Rude and dangerous behaviour is on the increase because of them and no-one knows what affect they are going to have on kids developing brains.

I include myself in that generalisation - I admit it, I am addicted to using the fucking it thing. I find myself giving my phone a quick check when talking to someone (not surfing, but checking if someone has rung or texted). I can't sit without anything to do any longer. People sit at lunch at work and check facebook when in a group conversation. I am a teacher and today saw other teachers messing about on their phones during an assembly. Don't get me onto trying to separate teenagers from their phones. They have ruined pub quizzes. And people using their phones while driving leaves me speechless!

Of they are useful and great at times, but no-one needs to be that contactable and no-one needs constant access to the internet. Speaking as someone over 40 (old git), I remember that life ran perfectly smoothly before we could talk to someone or send emails at any time from anywhere. Also I remember when someone with a mobile was considered to be a sad wanker.

HeffalumpHistory · 27/05/2016 11:25

Yabu. You don't need to do it. Leave others to it so long as there's no harm. Like the driving thing-that's illegal!

I can be found MNing from my phone while my kids are in the park.

It's almost my only me/zone out time & this is how I choose to use it
currently on phone, sat on sofa, avoiding housework

namechangeparents · 27/05/2016 11:29

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

It does have an impact when people are on their phones while walking along and either stop suddenly or go very slowly or don't look where they are going. Or even worse, when they are driving.

I really have to wonder what people find so interesting about a tiny screen. That said, before phones people used to walk along reading books or their newspaper.

Artandco · 27/05/2016 11:37

I use mine on public transport. Usually I'm starting up replying on my work emails on my commute, so once I'm at work I'm already half done on that part. Then I can leave earlier to collect children from school also.
This morning I did my ocado order whilst stuck in a taxi in traffic. Means by tonight I have saved about an hour across the day of 10 mins here and there, so will head to local wine bar instead!

crazywriter · 27/05/2016 11:53

Walking and texting isn't cool. Although I've walked and had my phone in my hand for maps and if I'm expecting a call.

As for just being aline and using it, why do you care what others do? If I'm completely alone, I'll use my phone to research or get ideas for work or something going on at home. It's my time and I'll spend it productively rather than staring at a wall. I can also read books from my phone.

I do get annoyed at people using their phones when I'm trying to have a conversation with them unless it's an emergency. And get annoyed at parents ignoring their children in favour of phones.

soundofthenightingale · 27/05/2016 12:13

I think its interesting subject.

I think it must affect us all subconciously. Its a bit like when you come back from abroad and notice that people in this country don't look at you when they walk past you, it can feel quite chilly.

MassDebate · 27/05/2016 12:14

When I become King of the World I plan to introduce a new pavement shunting system which automatically emerges to shunt everyone walking along while looking at their phones into a firepit slow lane.

Ilmatar · 27/05/2016 12:19

So reading on a phone is not okay, but reading a book is? And how do you know they're reading Simon Cowell? Do you look at their phones? Because between that and deliberately walking in to people doing things you don't like makes you seem like a judgemental old cow.

angelos02 · 27/05/2016 12:37

I always wonder about people that always seem to have their phone in their hand when walking about. Just stick it in yer bag/pocket. Loads of celebs seem to do this. Is it a 'thing' that I don't know about because I'm a gimmer. If anything, I would've thought it looks needy rather than cool.

PuppyMonkey · 27/05/2016 12:51

I can't look at my phone on public transport as it makes me travel sick. I also can't text and walk at the same time, I must have missed that lesson. Blush

Do I win a prize? Grin

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 27/05/2016 12:56

I am sociable and if out on my own shopping will chat on messenger to DH and friends about stuff. But what gets to me is people who get ratty just because you are holding phone. not even looking at it yet they give big sighs if you are momentarily in their way.

The worst is people in bus queues. I have mobile tickets on my phone but have several times had people ask me crabbily if I am getting on bus and rolling their eyes because I am looking at phone...looking at phone to activate my mobile ticket.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 27/05/2016 12:56

There's a massive desire to look down on people on their phones as proved by OP deliberately walking into folk. The act of a dick. .sorry.

theredjellybean · 27/05/2016 13:01

i am with OP ...find it in equal measure :

sad
irritating
infuriating
sad

families sat in restaurants ..all on phones
families sat on beach...all on phone
my most blood boiling moment..at panto on christmas eve...interval...dad and mum next to me both on phone straight away...both playing games...two chidlren about 5 and 8 ...' mum..i need a wee'..ignored....'dad can i have an icecream' ignored....no chat about the panto so far, the funny bits, the songs, how exciting it all is etc etc....no interaction at all.
I wanted to beat the parents over the head with their stupid phones...

anyway i didn't ...i pulled up my big judgey pants and held a beautific and enriching conversation with my DDs and DSDs...hoping to demonstrate the art of family interaction...i think i failed .

oh yes and as curtain went up the little boy wet himself...

however very occasionally i am clutching my phone on street as using google maps to try and find somewhere

Sanchar · 27/05/2016 13:03

Yanbu, I find it sad that people blunder about gawping at a phone rather than looking at the actual world around them.

I've had my "goodmorning"s ignored because they are too engrossed in texting.
Been walked into
Been the only parent waiting to collect NOT looking down at a screen.
Been cut short by people checking, then replying, to texts.
People are addicted and it's really bloody rude and antisocial too.

My main source of stranger social interaction is with the over 65s, they seem to be the only ones in these parts not glued to a device.

specialsubject · 27/05/2016 14:35

No , handbags aren't compulsory. Another reason not to have a brick phone as they don't fit in pockets.

specialsubject · 27/05/2016 14:37

And yes, dippydrawers ambling along with ears plugged and eyes glued to phone is a menace. Mostly a city thing though - and apparently there have been some Darwin award accidents. Looking where you are going is good.

DoubtfireDear · 27/05/2016 14:48

I'm on my phone alot when I'm out and about in public.

At home I read books, play an instrument, cook, crochet, draw, write or just sit and enjoy the silence.

I think it's quite ignorant of you to assume that because someone uses their phone when walking down the street that they "don't have the attention span" to read a book.

Your comment about purposely barging into someone just because they are sending a text and you find it annoying makes you sound like a cunt.

StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine · 27/05/2016 14:50

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 makes you a dick.

Toxicity · 27/05/2016 14:52

I don't think you are being unreasonable OP. This was actually on my mind today because:

(a) last night I was in a restaurant with two family members, one of them was constantly on their phone, I find it so rude.

(b) a woman walked into me this morning and yep she was staring at something on her phone.

(c) I was having lunch in a cafe near work and a woman was having a conversation on loudspeaker on her phone grrrrrrr! She looked a bit scary so I didn't ask her to refrain!!

I use my phone when out and about but I have cut down a lot recently, I just feel that a lot of us are not in the moment anymore and I am trying to just use my phone when necessary.

StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine · 27/05/2016 14:53

I rarely look at my phone on the school run. I'm hardly going to stop and stare too hard at my surroundings, though. At a rough estimate, I've done that flaming walk almost 4000 times, each way. There isn't much left to look at that I haven't seen before, apart from the location of the newest dog turd.