Texting in the company of others
I have become increasingly concerned about my interaction with one of my daughters who is in her late 20's due to texting. And, I have noticed that it is not just when I am around but when she is in the company of other parents and relatives (can't speak for her friends - and they may not have a problem with this). She is constantly texting when visiting or even if I am at her house to assist with her children which particularly bothers me. I feel that she is talking to me less and less as a result of texting and it is affecting our relationship from my prospective. I find it extremely rude that she is so much more focused on the texting then her children and others who are there to visit or help. While I am unsure if she does this when she is alone with the kids I find her obssession with the phone a concern. And, I admit I am resentful of assisting her when she does not appear to want to give me the time of day. She is totally in another world. I can't imagine what is so unbelievably important that she can't get with the world around her. She is just so extremely removed. I discussed it with her and she reacted quite angrily indicating that is was with her husband who is an shift worker. While I do believe it is fine to do some of that, when you have someone over or are at someone else's house even that should be limited in my opinion. What happened to a text message of "so and so is here - all is well will text when I can" or " I am at so and sos with the family for dinner, all is well will text when I can," Keeping the message quick and to the point. When I was young and the telephone rang (and there was no such thing as an answering machine), we did not answer it during dinner or if we had company (with the rare exception of the expectation of an important call). Focus was always on the people around you. It is not just my daughter, but several young men I know who are around 30s with iphones. They are constantly on the internet or doing something with the iphone. Perhaps I am a dinnasaur - - - but I do not see this as good - - - and now that it has crept into the population of young adult raising their family - - not a good example on human interaction for the children they are raising. Opinions?
Always OK
Side Score: 3
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Never or rarely OK
Side Score: 7
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Texting is never or rarely OK! Most times it's just rude. If you had company you certainly wouldn't spend a couple of hours on the phone with them or watch TV for an inordinate amount of time. So why would you subject someone to texting while they are in your home for whatever reasons they are there. At best it's simply unmannerly. Side: Never or rarely OK
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It's just flat-out rude, unless you're interacting separately in a non-intimate situation (e.g., laying on my bed with my best friend while he watches a movie and I read a book). But when you're spending time with someone, their inability to focus on you and their need to find some other entertainment is insulting. I mean, hell, I even feel bad if I'm texting on a train platform. Why can't we interact with other people and live in the moment?! (Although texting my boyfriend was very comforting when I was the only person on the 2 who wasn't black, male, and above 6'.) Side: Never or rarely OK
I sort of agree. It's pretty much always rude to some extent, but I think it depends. There's no "sometimes" in this debate, which is the most frustrating part about the site, and sometimes, texting is just fine. In large groups, at parties, and among other young people texting is perfectly acceptable, unless it's extremely excessive or obnoxious. A quick text or two is often less obtrusive than a phone call (I'm a teenager, and I'm mostly thinking in terms of parental communication- you NEVER decline a call without calling them back or responding in someway in the next thirty seconds, and even then ONLY if you have a damn good reason), and, as with any behavior, very useful in moderation, and if performed with taste. In any social situation, one ought to be present in the conversation or interaction, and ideally they will be; however, every situation doesn't require intense and rapt attention for every second. So, there's space for both use and abuse. Sometimes it's okay. Side: Never or rarely OK
When I'm in the company of others, especially olders, I try and limit my conversation on the phone via text or calls as do most people I know. But the younger generation use the phone more and more. All I can say is stop paying for their bills and they'll stop using it OR regulate the amount they can use it. They're spoilt these days. Side: Never or rarely OK
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