socially reTarded…

Is it me, or have we become socially reTarded as of late?  Let me explain…

It’s no phenomenon that lately text messaging has increased tremendously amongst people, especially amongst young people.  I mean I know I would much rather text than talk to someone on the phone (partly because I’m lazy but also because it allows you to multi-task).  But what really has been annoying me lately is when people text message all of the time…

It seems to me that people have lost the intimacy that was once there when hanging out with friends.  Before cell phones were around, I remember hanging out with some buddies and all of our attention would be on one another.  We’d be talking, joking around, laughing; but most importantly we would be enjoying each others company and having a great time.  Now, it seems like those days are long gone…

Whenever I go out with a friend, I make it a point to take out my phone, put it on vibrate, and put it to the side so that I can enjoy my time with them.  I mean I came to spend time with them, not to text someone else right?  However, there is an exception to this rule: if a family member calls or texts me then I respond to it because it may be important.  But much to my displeasure, it seems as if I’m the only one that wants to be there, because when I look at my friend, all I can see is the top of his head while I hear *tap* *tap* *tap* noises as he busily texts someone else.  More often than not do I get the “no, it’s okay I’m listening response” but I just sit there quietly thinking to myself “why am I wasting my time when he obviously doesn’t want me here…I may as well be at home texting him.”

TWE...Texting while eating...

Where have our manners gone?  Just a few weeks ago I was having lunch with a very good friend of mine who is a non-Muslim.  We both put our phones to the side and I swear we had the best time ever.  We caught up and I can honestly say that I had a lot of fun because I got to truly kick it with him without any interruptions.  As we were walking out, I saw two women having lunch together.  As they were sitting across from one another, they both had their phones out, their heads tilted downwards, and smiles on their faces.  Imagine that…

It’s kind of scary to see us so dependant on technology that we are slowly becoming more and more socially reTarded.  Seriously, think about it.  If we are this way right now with our friends, then when we all have kids, our kids will probably be talking on the phone while sitting down having dinner with us.  If they even sit with us for dinner…

It is really sad to see good manners and practices slowly diminish.  I’m all for quality hang out time, but I’m sick of having someone come over when all they do is text or receive phone calls.  Would it really kill you to put your phone away for an hour or two and give someone your undivided attention?

I only say these things because I was like this a little while ago, but every once in a while I go on “fasts” from my phone and computer where I don’t really text, call, or e-mail anyone for a few days (unless it’s obviously important).  And you know what?  It’s really refreshing to know that I’m not a compete slave to my cell phone or my computer or anything else for that matter…

-peace-

Tags: eating, manners, sms, socially retarded, text messaging