To think nobody just talks anymore

[Leopard77]

I’m not even just talking about people constantly being glued to their phones when out in public with people (which is bloody annoying and something I’ve noticed a lot recently).

But even pubs and bars - everyone HAS to be doing something or be overstimulated. The music has to be loud. Or there has to be a TV in view of every table so they can just sit and watch sport.

I’ve also found recently that because of social media, everyone knows what people are doing so it doesn’t warrant a conversation. “Oh yeah, I saw you were at the zoo, looked fun”. End of convo.

I just find it so sad. I feel like people are losing the art of just talking and nattering and having a conversation. 🙁

I agree with you that many people are glued to their phones. Not a lot of fun.
There is not a lot of conversation happening when people are on their phones.

But many people loves to talk! When I meet my friends we talk talk talk! And not everybody is on social media, and not everybody is very active on social media.

I don't think the zoo conversation (in your example) has to end there. I would ask tons of follow-up questions! What animals did you see, which one was your favourite, etc.
My friend worked backstage at a fashion show recently, and she wrote a little bit about it on social media, and posted some pictures. I still want her to tell me all about it when I see her!

I was out for 7 hours in a group of 6 last week. Lunch in a pub. No one got their phone out other than to book their Ubers. So I'd say YABU. Age range from mid 20s to mid 50s.

Most people I know love to chat

When I get together my friends and or family no one can get a word in edge ways.

I'm not on social media (before someone points out MN is social media, I mean the kind where you follow friends and family).

Something I've noticed is that people who are, often assume I am and that I'm following them or whatever (I presume they have too many followers to keep track of) so they'll start talking about something I have no idea about.

"After what happened to Joe, of course, I've been looking at it differently" Emma tells me, as I wonder, who is Joe and what happened to him - I daren't ask in case it was something upsetting and I come across as ghoulish.

it's easy to talk to peeps in pubs. I've nice convos in Wetherspoons.
Just look approachable. Smile and people will chat.
Oooh cold is't it

Not true of me, my family and friends we all talk non stop.

I do! Face to face, in person, with real people not separated by screens. Long talks, deep talks, silly talks. Some people still practise this dying art.

Too much time on phones yes. but the art of conversation seems alive and well to me

I was in a bar in a very rural area recently where people just sat on bar stools and talked to each other.It's so long since I've experienced that.
The op has pointed out some issues I've not really thought of before, very interesting.

When we moved abroad the language tutor told us that most conversations in every language use the same vocabulary and it’s limited to x amount of words can’t remember how many words but I remember thinking that’s true.

As I’m getting older I find I’m having the same conversations over and over again and sometimes I feel like we all just say the same stuff on a loop.

As I’m getting older I am guilty of needing a walk, an activity or an event to get me meeting up with friends. I can’t just do coffee and a chat. I have to do something before hand like a walk or shopping.