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

Riversong

Mara69 wrote: »

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.

I agree some mothers give me funny looks as I walk round chatting nonsense to my two. But I think of our time together chatting as time to get to know each other and for me to teach them things. Those same mothers tend not to talk to their children.

Also I have noticed that if I say hello to younger people eg on busses or trains etc they jump like I have stung them. Older people though tell the most wonderful stories and chat to me and my brood like they're family.

I'm in my 20s by the way.

Ames

I got so sick of going out and everyone else sitting on their iphones leaving me bored that I got one myself. But it just doesn't feel right sitting messing about with it when I'm out.

I don't think it's a sign of the times though, when I was a kid I went everywhere with a book. And I mean everywhere!

meritaten

I was the kid with her nose in a book - didnt mean I didnt glance up now and then to see what was going on! and I could still HEAR!
Was up mums today and at one point both DILs and my DD were on their Iphones! I was so ruddy annoyed - mum really looks forward to seeing them and hearing about their lives and the great grandkids doings!
I didnt say anything then - but I WILL! individually and in PRIVATE!
my OH isnt the most observant of people - but he came home from helping DS1 tile his kitchen and complained that DIL was on effbook ALL evening and DG was encouraged to play on the Wee and DS wouldnt let DG even pretend to 'help'!
Family life is going to hell via electronic devices!

mrcow

Well we're not as bad as that, but I have to admit, when we go out with our three, I'll bring something for them to do whilst they are at the table. They don't have anything electronic, so it's usually colouring, draawing or puzzle books so we can play noughts and crosses etc.

My kids are 10,6 and 4 and will sit anywhere quietly and behave nicely. But I wouldn't expect them to "make conversation" with me especially for dinner. They do that all the time anyway. If they don't have anything to play with, then we usually resort to word games/competitions etc or I'll get a pen and paper out of my bag for hangman etc. They are kids and waiting 30 minutes for your dinner whilst seated quietly can get a little boring.

Mind you.....once the meal comes, it all gets packed away.

VfM4meplse

My family is nothing like that, we never waste the occasion of a family meal out and always mark it with a heated row! (2 parents and 3 kids in our 30s, living in 4 different households with good reason).

catkins

Well I have no children but when me and OH go out for a meal, which we do at least once a week, we chat away and usually have a laugh as well. We often see other couples that don't really speak at all (sometimes the only thing they say to each other is something like "pass the salt" and that is not an exageration!). I know not all couples are as talkative as us but we both think it is very sad seeing the couples not speaking just rushing their food and leaving.

We have been married over 30 years and never seem to run out of things to talk about. We don't chat non stop every evening, we always catch up on each other's day and then maybe watch some tv or read or both use our laptops but when we go out to eat it's a good chance to have a good old chat.

I think families with children eating out and not talking is very sad but more and more I see one or both parents with a child or children and just ignoring them whilst talking, texting or whatever. Some people seem to not be able to cope without a mobile phone!

meritaten

I just think its so sad that so many people live their lives posting such trivial 'stuff' on effbook, 'twit'er etc. There is a whole world going on around people - and they are missing it!

on the rare occasions OH and I go out for a meal - we can talk non-stop! usually about the food, the ambience, the wait staff - and my fave - the other diners! (I like to people watch and invent 'lives' for them).
at home in the evening very few words may be said - I am usually on here while OH watches the idiot box! funnily enough - we talk more in the car or during the weekly shop, but when OH comes home from work is when we catch up- 4 - 5 pm is sort of catchup time!

Money_maker

FatVonD wrote: »

It's the same on pubic transport

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
I really should get out more

ellay864

At times when my sons were stroppy teenagers it was almost a blessing if they plugged in and shut up arguing :rotfl:Seriously, I've always loved family meals out - I have 2 boys now 19 and 17, DH has a son and daughter the same age. When all 6 of us are out together it's great fun...used to be a bit tense when my DS1 and his DS were together as they didn't get on too well for a while. Now we have a great time, and often includes their partners as well.
DH and I do love just chatting at times but sometimes if we go out on our own (not that often as we're usually too skint!) we just love being together and don't need to talk a lot. We don't sit there in stony silence, but we can both just enjoy taking in surroundings and not feeling the need for conversation. Not so much if out in a restaurant here but if we're away, especially sitting outdoors, we both love just chilling and taking it all in enjoying the peace

runningwoman

I completely agree.

In the olden days, families would go out on a Friday night, hard working father and homely looking mother, former childhood sweethearts.

The rosy cheeked children, healthy through a diet of apples, homemade cupcakes, and love and intellectual conversation, would laugh merrily as they chatted away.

There were no IPads, computers, or Facebook thingies.

As a result, everyone was happy. There were no divorces, child abuse, or financial issues for ANYONE. No-one was rude and everyone was well mannered because they were the Good Old Days.

(that above bit was meant to be satire, by the way.

If I was going out and I saw some nosy parker spying on my interaction because they had nothing better to do, I'd be inclined to throw something at them, that would liven up the conversation a bit.

What's it got to do with anyone how other diners conduct themselves? Maybe their oven has blown up and they're working seventy hour weeks so dining out every night.

Maybe they just like to do their own thing without being worried about being perceived as the "perfect"family or couple.

Etc, etc, etc.

Maybe as well as getting conversation kids need to be shown "don't gossip about other people or try and set yourself up as superior to them, that's bad form")