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That is one social norm. My norm is that I don't owe people my time, which you may consider rude.
by tomjen3 9y ago
That is one social norm. My norm is that I don't owe people my time, which you may consider rude.
- wutbrodo 9y agoI don't think anyone is suggesting that people owe anything: it was possible to keep to oneself in public spaces even pre smartphones. At the population level though, a shift in norms and behavior means that even two people who would be fine engaging with a stranger now do so less. To be concrete, it has less to do with forcing anyone to do anything than with changing the environment such that, across the population, it's harder for those on the margin to interact socially.
- notacoward 9y agoIf there wasn't going to be any social interaction anyway, there's nothing to detract from. I read books on my phone in public places - e.g. subway stations and trains - all the time. But some places and times are intended to be more social. If you're at an explicitly social gathering, at a party or happy hour, dining with friends, etc., and your face is buried in your phone the whole time, that's rude. You don't owe others your time, but neither do you have the right to turn a shared social space into something else for your own benefit. If you want to be alone, get to a less social space. Everyone including you will be happier for it.