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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Taking phone in the shower

80 replies

Panda86 · 06/03/2022 12:54

My partner is constantly glued to his phone, so much so, he takes it with him even when he goes for a shower. Is this normal behaviour? Should I be worried? It’s kept on silent too so never makes a sound when messages/calls come through. There’s clearly something he doesn’t want me to see on there or am I being paranoid and maybe this is just how people are with phones?

OP posts:
PinkNails1 · 06/03/2022 14:47

@Baconandmaplesyrup I can understand listening to something when you come out of the shower and your drying, moisturising etc… but in the shower with them? That’s a sign of addiction. It takes 5-10 mins to shower. Can people really not take a break away from their phone? I’m in my 20s and I’ve noticed people who are 40+ are glued to their phones!

PinkNails1 · 06/03/2022 14:48

I meant you’re before anyone comments…

Hugasauras · 06/03/2022 14:49

I like to listen to a podcast in the bath. I would in shower too except I usually have baths in the evening. I don't get much chance during the day when DD is home so why not? I also listen when cooking!

BeHappy91818 · 06/03/2022 14:50

I take my phone in the shower to listen to music…And I can’t remember the last time my phone was on loud

Barleysugar85 · 06/03/2022 14:51

I usually keep my phone on silent and take it with me when I bathe but I tend to be in a dressing gown and just keep it in the pocket.

I understand your concern though, I had a partner a long time ago where I could tell something was up because he'd keep his phone suspiciously glued to him all the time, would turn it face down when he set it anywhere, always had the screen turned away whilst texting... Finally got to check it one night whilst he was sleeping and all the evidence of the affair was on his texts.

Will he let you borrow his phone? I borrow hubbys now and then if I am low on battery/ minutes/ ringing my banks fraud department after a suspicious call. He has no problem with me knowing the code and handing it over and will leave the phone with me and walk out of the room. So I've never worried with him. He takes his phone into the bathroom with him most of the time.

Booboo24 · 06/03/2022 14:54

My showers are more like 20 mins, it's the only down time I get!!!! I have been known to answer the phone whilst on the toilet, and if they're lucky I'll even let them know that!!!!!

MissMaple82 · 06/03/2022 15:00

Suspicious behaviour

ElleGB · 06/03/2022 15:02

@RampantIvy

Some of you must take really long showers to not be able to go without listening to music for 5 minutes.
I actually use music on my phone to time my shower….try not listen to more than one song so I don’t stand in there for ages due to cost.
TigerLilyTail · 06/03/2022 15:13

I just put it on the stool

envy

Not like poo stool!

I have a stool in my bathroom to put my clothes on while I'm having a shower. Is that weird?

Momicrone · 06/03/2022 15:24

Taking a phone to go to the toilet is a bit strange

WorryMcGee · 06/03/2022 15:31

I listen to podcasts in the shower!

Panda86 · 06/03/2022 15:55

Thanks for all the replies, maybe not so out of the ordinary then. A few other things make me suspect - phone always face down whenever he does manage to unglue it from his hand. He once showed me a photo on it, I went to hold the phone myself to see the picture properly but he kept a firm grip on it/wouldn’t let me hold it myself! Little things but they make me wonder.
Evenings of chatting and watching something together slowly turning into him on his phone and me feeling if I can’t beat him, join him - so I’m then on my phone too. Not healthy but seems like it’s a common problem these days

OP posts:
Darbs76 · 06/03/2022 15:56

I’m addicted to my phone but I don’t take it in the shower. My son does, I can hear stuff playing when he’s in there

DysmalRadius · 06/03/2022 17:51

[quote PinkNails1]@Baconandmaplesyrup I can understand listening to something when you come out of the shower and your drying, moisturising etc… but in the shower with them? That’s a sign of addiction. It takes 5-10 mins to shower. Can people really not take a break away from their phone? I’m in my 20s and I’ve noticed people who are 40+ are glued to their phones![/quote]
My parents have had a radio in their bathroom for as long as I can remember (they're in their 70s), so I don't think it's about phone addiction so much as using a shower as a chance to listen to something other than the sound of running water!

BuddhaForMary · 06/03/2022 17:59

I take mine wherever I go, including into the shower 🤷🏻‍♀️

user1493494961 · 06/03/2022 18:12

I prefer silence.

melj1213 · 06/03/2022 18:48

I actually use music on my phone to time my shower….try not listen to more than one song so I don’t stand in there for ages due to cost.

Same here - I allow for 2 songs in the shower as that is roughly about 5/6 minutes, if I'm still showering when a 3rd song starts then I know I need to hurry it up and get out.

DD is the same, it's the easiest way to keep her from having 10+ minute showers as she can easily end up just daydreaming and wasting water. U

lljkk · 06/03/2022 18:53

30-something Friend has her phone 24/7.
So bad that my teens joke if she comes here to watch a movie that her eyes will be on phone all the time.
I dunno what's 'normal' but it's not healthy.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 06/03/2022 19:00

We both take our phones in so we can listen to music.

Much more interesting than silence and the sound of running water Grin

TracyMosby · 06/03/2022 19:04

My phone is always on silent, too. I find it really intrusive with its constant noise otherwise.

My dh is always on his phone. I did the thing (from mumsnet) where you can check how long you’re on different apps etc. he spends hours on a game. Hours. Everything else is barely any time at all. Hmm

HELLITHURT · 06/03/2022 19:11

@Hugasauras

I always take mine in. Bathroom is the only chance I get for some peace and quiet sometimes to doom scroll Grin
You don't have a Doberman puppy do you? X
TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/03/2022 19:15

I take my phone in the bathroom and I'm not up to anything - just listening to podcasts or Irish radio.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/03/2022 19:19

He once showed me a photo on it, I went to hold the phone myself to see the picture properly but he kept a firm grip on it/wouldn’t let me hold it myself!

I HATE when I show someone a picture and they take my phone and start scrolling. My father is the worst for this, and although I have literally nothing to hide, I JUST HATE IT. Is there any chance you do this, OP?

Panda86 · 06/03/2022 19:24

@TheYearOfSmallThings

He once showed me a photo on it, I went to hold the phone myself to see the picture properly but he kept a firm grip on it/wouldn’t let me hold it myself!

I HATE when I show someone a picture and they take my phone and start scrolling. My father is the worst for this, and although I have literally nothing to hide, I JUST HATE IT. Is there any chance you do this, OP?

No I don’t get a chance to! His grip on it is like a vice
OP posts:
Hugasauras · 06/03/2022 19:43

@HELLITHURT 3yo and a cocker spaniel! Grin

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