How many times have you been in the middle of a conversation with someone and their cell phone rings? What happens next? Does the person excuse themselves to take the call, look at their phone or do they continue focusing on you?  I feel the average person will at least take out their cell phone and see who is calling before determining if they answer or ignore the call.

I am confused on how an invention created to allow us more freedom has changed how we interact with each other.  If we step back and reflect if we’re in the middle of a conversation how many of us would let someone else interrupt the conversation.  If I’m talking to you and focusing my attention on you why would I let someone else come between us if they just walked up and started talking?

How many times do we see people texting while “engaged” in a conversation with someone else? How is this possible to be truly engaged in a conversation if your mind is somewhere else? What does this say about us and about how we view relating to others?

If we are truly engaged in a conversation or dialogue with someone then that person needs to be your sole focus.  I think we need to rethink how we view our cell phones usage.

Watch this video from wimp.com. Let me know what you think about their message about cell phones and connecting with others. I think it’s a great message. I promise not to look at my cell

 


Comments

Christine
01/29/2012 10:18

I have to agree with you about the cell phone usage. I have found myself doing exactly that, checking the message, or if I hear my phone go off, I have to fight the urge to check it and stay in the moment with the person in front of me.

It is a bad habit we've gotten into, and I think taking a moment to sit and think about what is truly important is the answer.

If we are indeed waiting for an important call, I believe we should let the individual we are with know that we may check if our phone rings. If we are not expecting an important call, I think it would be important for us to turn the phone off, to avoid the distraction, and temptation.

I honestly believe it's habitual. It would only take a 3 to 12 weeks to break ourselves of the habit and form healthier ones.

Thank you for posting this and giving us time to pause and think of our automatic behaviours.

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02/01/2012 21:25

I believe the need to look down or to even answer a cell phone when interacting with someone else is a generational issue. I know of many Gen Y's who believe it is an acceptable practice, while other demographics know it is not polite but may be distracted by their mobile device.

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