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I think the more annoying part is being out in public, there is a vast decline in basic human interaction in places that are meant specifically for that purpose

I think the more annoying part is being out in public, there is a vast decline in basic human interaction in places that are meant specifically for that purpose even. It is much harder to meet new people at a bar for example than it was even 5 years ago. The difference is dramatic. How are you supposed to meet strangers and have interesting conversation when they won't look up long enough to see that you are attempting to make eye contact with them?

sizzle 7y ago
Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to meet those people. I'm looking for the ones that do the opposite, greet you with a smile and can hold a conversation about anything effortlessly.
- jvagner 7y ago
  If those people are having a moment, and not to be dismissed out of hand because in their moment they happen to be staring at their phone, it can be a lost opportunity. Recently, I've observed that you're more likely to meet someone, and end up in a long conversation, close to the point where either you, or they, show up. So, you could strike up a conversation with someone after sitting next to them for 30 minutes, each doing your own thing... but it's been my experience that when you show up, or when they show up, there's more of an incidental openness that can be exploited with a "hello" (or whatever suits the occasion).
  - sizzle 7y ago
    Absolutely and I am mindful of people not having their personal space or privacy invaded in public. This dynamic changes in a social setting however where the expectation is to socialize or be friendly to others.
  - c0vfefe 7y ago
    This also applies to meeting one's neighbors when moving houses.
cylinder 7y ago
I've also noticed a decline and people just seem unhappier and grumpy. I don't think it's the act of staring at a screen itself. It's the information coming from that screen. It's stressing people out and adding a huge amount of complexity to life.

sizzle 7y ago

Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to meet those people. I'm looking for the ones that do the opposite, greet you with a smile and can hold a conversation about anything effortlessly.

jvagner 7y ago
If those people are having a moment, and not to be dismissed out of hand because in their moment they happen to be staring at their phone, it can be a lost opportunity. Recently, I've observed that you're more likely to meet someone, and end up in a long conversation, close to the point where either you, or they, show up. So, you could strike up a conversation with someone after sitting next to them for 30 minutes, each doing your own thing... but it's been my experience that when you show up, or when they show up, there's more of an incidental openness that can be exploited with a "hello" (or whatever suits the occasion).
- sizzle 7y ago
  Absolutely and I am mindful of people not having their personal space or privacy invaded in public. This dynamic changes in a social setting however where the expectation is to socialize or be friendly to others.
- c0vfefe 7y ago
  This also applies to meeting one's neighbors when moving houses.

cylinder 7y ago

I've also noticed a decline and people just seem unhappier and grumpy. I don't think it's the act of staring at a screen itself. It's the information coming from that screen. It's stressing people out and adding a huge amount of complexity to life.