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 have the kindle app on my phone, I do half my work on my phone. I make phone calls when walking so that when I get home I can put my phone down having made the calls I need to and just spend time with my family. Why would I not chose to use my phone to get things done when I am among strangers rather than have to do it when I am with people I want to be with.

I don't feel the need to be physically aggressive with people (barging in to them because they are doing something perfectly legal that I don't approve of).

I'm also pretty happy - which you sound anything but OP. The world is how it is and you are going to spend a lot of time being annoyed if you make an issue of this.

I think "I find people being inconsiderate annoying" is a sentiment I can support. "I hate people being on their phones all the time" time is only really defensible from the point of view of someone who has a family member who is actually and observably 'on their phone' all the time. A bod on the street that you happen to pass and who happens to be on their phone... it is more difficult.

I use my phone alot, I read books (with long words and everything), I listen to podcasts, audio books and the radio - It all helps when passing the time walking down the street, waiting for a bus, doing the shopping, sitting on a train. I also insist on dinner at the table with no tech, I read books to the kids and I talk to them. But if you passed me in Tescos while browsing my phone for recipe ingredients or changing the music I am listening too, then you might dismiss me as a phone-zombie.

When picking up my youngest child from school it will seem to an outside observer that I am ignoring her to chat inconsequentially on the phone. But I am talking to my middle child, dd1 rings me everyday on her way back from school, she is highly anxious (has ASD) and needs to talk to me on her way home. We have managed to get to this after months of me having to meet her from school. The phone is allowing me to be in two places at once - not ideal but a worthy compromise. So I have learned not to make assumptions about phone use.

It does seem people are surgically attached to their phones these days. I don't have a mobile (yup, I'm the one) so maybe it's just strange to me. My husband and both sons have mobiles and check them constantly. Drives. Me. Mad.