Phones and dinner, sorry for the umpteenth thread!

The Teenager and me just returned from a holiday. The main dinner entertainment for us is people-watching (fortunately we speak in an obscure language so can remark on happenings quite freely. )

However, year after year there is less and less to notice as the fellow diners don't actually do anything, they just eat and... stare at their phones. GRRRR!!! Honestly, this year is the worst ever.

We sat next to a family with 3 girls around 10-ish, the girls stared at their phones in silence throughout the meal. They even stared at them whilst selecting their desserts, scooping ice cream with the free hand. The Dad ate in silence, browsing his phone.

Honestly, you are in a posh hotel restaurant after a lovely day in a foreign country and you don't say a word? Not interested to hear what any member of your family thought about the day or the food? Night after night you sit together but don't actually say a word and that's fine?

Even my Teenager was a bit upset that so many people around us were enjoying their own private bubbles rather than the world around them. Kids, teenagers, adults... The Bubble is more interesting than the reality in front of you.

I think it's getting worse year after year. Phones are not the devil and many people around us used them to see photos or google sights and directions together with their fellow diners, but many were just shutting the world out to watch videos (yes I'm a snoop )

What's the scene in 2029? Is there a need for restaurants or tables for more than 1 person?

I'll develop a virtual people-watching app and become a millionare

 

I don't see this at all

but Jiffy you don't go out that's why you don't see this happening

 

Once in London we pooled our pennies together to visit the tearoom at Harrods. Gaping at the wonderful china, impeccable service and heavenly menu I noticed a young tourist at the next table... checking the tearoom website. She didn't look up or around, but stuffed her crumpet towards her mouth and apparently read what the website thought of the iconic tearoom she was in. Probably it told her that the tea tasted delicious.

My friend in her sixties has a great rule for her outings with the girls- the phones go in the middle of the table and the first one to touch a phone pays for the next round. Invariably they end up quite drunk.