I went out with friends on Saturday night to hear a band play at a bar in Sarasota. It has been a long long time since I did something like that. The band was great, and, as I remembered from my younger days, even better during the second set. (Still unclear as to whether that is due to the band's or the audience's advancing lubrication.)
What was different for me was the number of cell phones in evidence. I told you it had been a long time since I have been to a bar to see a band.) People were snapping pictures of the band with their phones and that was kind of cool. The woman sitting at the table next to me was snapping selfies, lots of them. I could see her posing this way and that and snapping away. Good grief, we have become self-absorbed. (I am in danger of sounding like my father!)
I looked around to find that there were plenty of people swiping and texting away on there phone, eyes on the screens -- not the band, not the people they were with. It took a lot of the fun out of people watching. (Like watching sheep eating grass.)
What was different for me was the number of cell phones in evidence. I told you it had been a long time since I have been to a bar to see a band.) People were snapping pictures of the band with their phones and that was kind of cool. The woman sitting at the table next to me was snapping selfies, lots of them. I could see her posing this way and that and snapping away. Good grief, we have become self-absorbed. (I am in danger of sounding like my father!)
I looked around to find that there were plenty of people swiping and texting away on there phone, eyes on the screens -- not the band, not the people they were with. It took a lot of the fun out of people watching. (Like watching sheep eating grass.)
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The cell phone is an addiction. Young folks don't seem to mind. I can be guilty of it a little, but don't do the selfie thing or letting everyone know where you are while ignoring those who are there with you.
ReplyDeleteI can be guilty of over attending to my cell phone, but not when I'm in a social situation. What's the point of going out with friends if you don't pay any attention to them.
ReplyDeleteAww, such a waste. People are letting life slip by. I am always stunned when they show the crowd at a ball game and few are watching anything but their phones. Why even go?
ReplyDeleteYou have to wonder why people go out places if they spend most of the time with their cellphones doing none-essential stuff. But I'm glad you enjoyed the evening.
ReplyDeleteWell at least you had a nice evening, listening to good music and people watching. I don't understand the need to keep one's cell phone at the ready all the time. Though I have a tendency not to look at it as often as I should...perhaps I need to find a balance.
ReplyDeleteAs for selfies, that's an art I never hope to master.
Eileen
Such a shame that they missed out on living because they were attached to a phone/object. I hope you had a wonderful time though. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hear you, and I couldn't agree more. Why bother to even go out if your main entertainment is the phone?
ReplyDeleteI sang in a traveling band in my younger day and the supper club crowd was usually pretty good about listening. If not listening then talking amongst themselves. Don't know how I would feel today if my efforts were totally missed because of a cell phone...lol
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