How Mobiles take the Fun out of Real Life

I yesterday told you how I didn’t approve of a stranger offering my child his phone. The mobile phone however seems to have become such a normal item in society, an ever-present gadget in everyone’s hand at all times that it doesn’t even seem to disturb a lot of people anymore!

That is something which I had mentioned in a blog entry not too long ago and I noticed it again on our short trip to Delhi. Mobiles everywhere, while people are sitting together in a conversation, when people are waiting anywhere and even while they are walking.

The most disturbing of these events was again during breakfast in the hotel. We had our table next to two young Indian men. They were eating in silence until one pulled out his mobile. Not that they started talking with each other then – no, but it was the end to the silence: he started watching a video! And it was loud enough for us, two meters away, to hear the music and conversations as well! He laughed at some stupid jokes and practically had his phone entertain him during breakfast while his friend was sitting opposite him, not able to see the screen, obviously not involved in this fun!

How come you can ignore the one sitting in front of you and prefer watching a video on your own? When has that become acceptable in society, why did the man who was with him not object?

We were just about to leave anyway, so I didn’t say anything anymore but had that noise started at the beginning of my meal, I would have asked him to turn it down, as we were all sitting in that room and not only him alone! There are earphones for this kind of situation, too – but I have heard that still today one finds inconsiderate people in public transport who play loud music as well!

Now listen closely: apart from the fact that you should take care to keep any of your entertainment to yourself and not annoy your surroundings, please realize that there is real life around you! Put away your mobile, take the eyes off the screen and look at what is happening outside! See the beauty of nature, talk to real people, listen to the music of birds, a child’s laugh or just the busy hustle of those around you! Don’t isolate yourself by putting all your attention onto your mobile, be that a movie, a chat or photos!

Please, be real. Live a real life in this real world!