Manners?

Since I lost my mobile phone and didn’t replace it, I can look at the world in a new light. One issue struck me today – the lack of respect by users of mobile phones. Remember when, as a couple, it was polite to acknowledge the presence of the other person and continue to interact? It used to be considered impolite to read alone, or carry out other absorbing activities while ignoring the presence of another. Now we see, commonly, couples where one person with a mobile phone is absorbed in talking, or checking for incoming calls and text messages, thereby completely excluding their companion. It would be equivalent to a threesome, where one of the three is debarred from the conversation.

And then there is the lack of consideration by companies, especially banks. This is a new development. For example, I cannot access my accounts at present because my bank insists I respond in a certain way to their text for the sake of security. Did they ask if I have a mobile phone? Of course not, it was assumed.

And how about the lack of manners in meetings, including Parliament? Important business is being discussed and yet several participants are ignoring the dialogue and reading the messages on their phones. It seems that texting has become an addiction as powerful as alcohol or gambling. It is sad to see a group of friends at a cafe or meeting in a park, not talking to each other, but all consulting their phones. Perhaps that is the only way they can interact.