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Do people not TALK to each other when they go out anymore??

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  • geri1965_2
    geri1965_2 Posts: 8,736 Forumite
    loracan1 wrote: »
    But...I'd be inclined to wear the earplugs even if not attached to a phone if on public transport.

    Me too, to drown out the inane chatter of the idiots all around me.
  • rinabean wrote: »
    Sign of the times? Due to technology? Maybe they just prefer to eat their meal without talking and to focus on the food. I doubt they would have been any more talkative 50 years ago.

    I'm like you, I love talking while we're eating. And we don't eat out much, so we would be celebrating something if we were out, so we'd definitely be talking. Some people just don't care much for it, though. My husband is one. He doesn't dislike talking at the table, but he doesn't care if we're not chatting at every meal. Just personal preference. It doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy my company or he doesn't know how to make conversation or anything else. It's not sad in the slightest.

    (I sort of wonder if it's to do with speed of eating - my family talked a lot at the table and we absolutely inhale our food. His family prefer to sit quietly in front of the tv and they eat very, very slowly. If they talked as much as I did, their food would surely go cold before they'd finished. But maybe they're not related and it's just coincidence in these cases.)

    How can it possibly be to focus on the food whilst they're shovelling it in one handed whilst facebooking/tweeting/killing monsters on the DS??
    And I agree,we don't chat non stop whilst we chew(I'm also a huge stickler for table manners aswell as a chatterbox:p) but surely in the gaps between courses,after you've ordered and are waiting for food etc,well those are ideal opportunities to talk about your week or what you have coming up?Gawd you could talk about anything!I don't get how you can sit in total silence:eek:
    I appreciate the family I just posted about are an extreme case and tbh I've never seen a mum AND dad plus kids plugged in before.Each to their own and all that but it still makes me feel really sad that kids are sat totally zoned out in DS/FB land and really missing out on valuable family time and surely picking up really bad social skills?
    Slightly mad mummy to four kidlets aged 4 months,6,7 and 8 :D:D:D xx
  • VestanPance
    VestanPance Posts: 1,597 Forumite
    I think the scenario above is an extreme example, but I'd say it is more common. The information age allows us to have constant updates and access to information and media, but the downside is when the method of delivery becomes a constant need. I certainly know a good few people that can't handle the loss of internet access for five minutes as that constitutes a major crisis. Don't even get me started on those that need to check their phone every other minute.

    Although for those complaining of the use of it on public transport. I'll admit to being a teenager in the 80/90's with a walkman permanently in my ears when using public transport.
  • thorsoak
    thorsoak Posts: 7,166 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We talked about this just the other day (No 1 son & I). When I grew up, we didn't have TV, so you would find mum knitting, dad reading the paper, me - nose in a book, sis 1 nose in a book & sis 3 & 4 playing a game ....and I would be forever getting into trouble for trying to read at the table - so is that really so different to today.

    Although I confess to making friends on the train when going to work - I was out at a do with 9 of my "train ladies" just a couple of weeks ago. Mind you - we could be noisy ....its not the first time someone has started opening the door to where we were sitting - then seeing/hearing us - and moving further down the train!

    But I do agree - its very sad when you see a whole family tapping away on their electronic devices like this
    378540_10150365526506986_709521985_8634966_1896148708_n.jpg
  • FatVonD wrote: »
    It's the same on pubic transport nowadays too, I look around and the majority of the train carriage is plugged into some kind of technology or other. I recall making friends with people on the train when I was in my teens and 20s but the youth of today (God, I just turned into my parents!) seem to feel they don't exist unless every aspect of their life is fully documented on Facebook or Twitter, it's really sad.

    Totally agree.Seeing people sat updating facebook about the day out they're having or the pub they're in,what they ate or what pants they're wearing..!!!!!! how are you truly enjoying an evening out with friends if you're on FB every 2 minutes?
    Slightly mad mummy to four kidlets aged 4 months,6,7 and 8 :D:D:D xx
  • Melonade
    Melonade Posts: 747 Forumite
    It is quite sad these days. I love talking hehe and would never use my phone in a resturant or while eating at home, unless in an emergency lol.

    The other day we were eating our tea and my sons phone beeped. As he put him hand in his pocket I told him "you touch that phone while we are eating and it'll be the last thing you do". It's very rude imo and I won't stand for it in this house. Although OH can answer his phone at mealtimes because he is self employed and I'd never risk him losing work because it's tea time. Saying that he usually ignores it because he does love sitting down to a peacefull (not always quiet lol) tea.
    Even if you stumble, you're still moving forward.
  • Mara69
    Mara69 Posts: 1,409 Forumite
    I've noticed on the buses how so many parents (mostly mother's) don't talk to their children on the bus as they are usually glued to their phones. The child is usually bored and badly behaved because they are bored and being ignored. Such a shame; when I was a young Mum I used bus journeys as an opportunity to talk to my children, point out local landmarks and play silly games with them. Sometimes, on the way to school they used to read to me, or vice versa.
  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,567 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    FatVonD wrote: »
    the youth of today (God, I just turned into my parents!) seem to feel they don't exist unless every aspect of their life is fully documented on Facebook or Twitter, it's really sad.
    Extremely sad.
    What is this need to announce everything they're doing/thinking all the time? (Why do they think anyone is interested?)
    I believe it's only a matter of time until someone's facebook page sports the following entries:
    Am breathing in...
    Am breathing out...
    Am breathing in...
    Am breathing out...
    2.22kWp Solar PV system installed Oct 2010, Fronius IG20 Inverter, south facing (-5 deg), 30 degree pitch, no shading
    Everything will be alright in the end so, if it’s not yet alright, it means it’s not yet the end
    MFW #4 OPs: 2018 £866.89, 2019 £1322.33, 2020 £1337.07
    2021 £1250.00, 2022 £1500.00, 2023 £1500, 2024 £1350
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  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,567 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    thorsoak wrote: »
    378540_10150365526506986_709521985_8634966_1896148708_n.jpg

    :rotfl:
    Really hoping this is ironic. If so it's quite brilliant! :beer:
    2.22kWp Solar PV system installed Oct 2010, Fronius IG20 Inverter, south facing (-5 deg), 30 degree pitch, no shading
    Everything will be alright in the end so, if it’s not yet alright, it means it’s not yet the end
    MFW #4 OPs: 2018 £866.89, 2019 £1322.33, 2020 £1337.07
    2021 £1250.00, 2022 £1500.00, 2023 £1500, 2024 £1350
    2025 target = £1200, YTD £9190
    Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
  • lostinrates
    lostinrates Posts: 55,283 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    DH and I often notice we talk less when at a restaurant. We've been wonering why, and think its several reasons....we are usually shattered by the time we get out, and its always after a day together, and almost always would quite happily have snuggled up together at home. We usually perk up a bit when the food arrives when its impossible not to interact...we usually try each others food giggle and relax a bit. We don't scoff but do tend to head off promptly at the end of a meal rather than loiter over puding and coffee because we're ready for ''a cuddle'' and some sleep.

    we go out once a month with only each other without fail, whether or not we fancy going out or not, because we think its a pretty good habit but sometimes we are quiet...we smile alot at each ther when we are shattered and sometimes sit almost not talking but holding hands, so while we might not be talking ten to the dozen we are interacting!
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