That Person is More Important Than Your Phone

I appreciate all the positive changes phones have brought into my life. But too often, they distract us from the people around us—both friends and strangers.

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[MsDoglover]

I was visiting family out of town recently and actually felt lonely my first night because their phones were more important than me. Some people show more courtesy to cashiers, etc, than to family and friends. Thanks for the reminder that I'm not alone. I'm not perfect, but I try my best to use the golden rule with phone etticate too.

[martilynnsmiles]

Of course there is one particular person that I really want to send this to, as a way of saying "please, can I be more important than your phone?" But instead, I'll step up my game with my own phone, and be the change I wish to see.

[simply.clutterfree]

Nowadays you need "two hands" to listen rather than "two ears"...meaning that you've set your device down and are giving a person your full attention. ❤️

[valeriee]

This is basic respect !!! I am 54 and was raised in a world with no internet, yet also the education my kid was taught. I believe things are going so far to one side that there's going to be some serious rewind someday... Thank you for voicing this !

[victoriajohnson]

Respect! That's what comes to mind. It was considered disrespectful to not be present!

[mscatnipper]

I'm heading out for a 4-day glamping trip with 30 other humans to a place with no cell phone coverage. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones during a restorative vacation in nature. Pure bliss.

[vondrabejot]

I went to a Diamondback game on Memorial Day. On one of the breaks, the fan camera scanned the audience. The camera on that break highlighted families with children. The children would get all excited and jump and down patting mom or dad on the leg as kids do. They were yelling and pointing. You know this picture right. Except the parent in every case was talking or playing or scrolling on their phone. I felt embarrassed for the first mom and then the camera would float to another. After four or five of these scenes, I was shocked. These parents spent a lot of money for these experiences with their families and this is how they spent those precious hours with their children. Speaking as a mom of four and an empty nester. Time goes by too quickly and you can never get it back. So sad.

[valerierogers]

I'm sick of people with that phone in their face, or having lunch with someone having the phone at the table, glancing at it or "have to" take calls. So important are these folks today they can't possibly miss a call.

[maryloueppard]

It is called manners, respect, honor of another.

[teresamoore]

I believe phones are damaging many relationships. Just a few observations, being out for dinner and seeing two parents on their phones all the time I was there and not speaking to their child or each other once. 😔 Sat in a car park waiting for my son and across the way is a McDonald’s, a mum and son pull up next to me with a drive through meal, mum never spoke to her her son once, just on her phone whilst eating. Kids just hanging out on a bench, all on their phones, not speaking to each other. It makes me sad. I’m not a phone person but I like my iPad, but if someone walks into the room I instantly put it down.

[Raine]

My bf had begun to slide into that abyss. One day we went to lunch together, our food had been served, he was eating and scrolling. I simply sat there, calmly, maintained a pleasant demeanor until he looked up.

He asked, "What's wrong with your meal?"

I replied, "Am I having lunch with you or with your phone?"

That was 4 years ago and he's never opted for his phone instead of me again. ❤

[nancyyoung]

I grew up without technology so I’m used to doing without. I feel it’s rude to not put down phone when someone is right in front of you. I get annoyed with my neighbor when he stops in to chat but then gets on his phone and is scrolling or listening to something out loud while I’m sitting there. I don’t like it & have said so. I always try to do right thing and give my full attention to whoever is in front of me. Important.Good one Joshua.

[JLR]

You said it very well without shaming or malicious intent. We ALL needed this reminder no matter what age we are. Thank you!

[ThankfulNanaDiane]

Stepping on toes here! Thank you. It’s called common courtesy, which isn’t common anymore, sadly.

[purplequeen]

thank you for this important message! Being polite and present is important!

[Jewels]

Love this! When I was a cashier at 18, it bummed me out when people would act like I didn’t exist and talk to someone on their phone while tossing their items and card/money at me. I was excited to get to interact with people but I quickly found that too many didn’t think I was worthy of eye contact or even a hello.
Now I’m in my thirties and if I am on my phone, I will always kindly tell the person I’m speaking to that I’m going to put my phone down so I’m not rude to the cashier while I check out. I place the phone down on the counter and say hello and chit chat with the cashier. More often than not, the cashier acknowledges with a thank you and says that they’ve never had someone do that for them before. I like to think that for that 5 minute moment they know they are noticed and special. It’s basic manners really.

[MMEDIA]

Absolutely heartbreaking, Joshua! It's incredibly disheartening when a parent is so engrossed in their phone that they fail to notice their child desperately vying for their attention. It's truly heart-wrenching because those precious years when a child craves their parent's presence are fleeting, and once they're gone, they're gone forever. All that remains in your later years are memories of those missed opportunities, and the realization that your phone was the only constant companion. Those cherished moments with your child, where they were within arm's reach, yearning for your undivided attention, cannot be reclaimed. Let us treasure them while we still can!

[Team_]

Warren Buffet says ... if you're having a conversation or meeting with a person and they keep either checking the time and or keep going on their phone to end the conversation or meeting promptly. He said it's better to end the meeting than to have completed it not to its full potential

[valeriehowden]

I always thank service people ... and if they have a name tag, using their name and a smile.

[homerogallegos]

When someone I know doesn't put the phone down, I usually send her a text instead of talking. It works most of the time!

Thanks for the reminder about the value of others, Joshua!

I make an effort to pause the content I'm watching when someone approaches me and wants to talk. Even, so, I think many of us would visibly show our dissapointment because of the interruptions. I've seen my children prefer to talk later because even before starting the conversation they see I'm staring at my phone. 😞

It's hard for our children not to be constantly on the phone if they see us do the same.

Finally, I caught myself scrolling through the comments while watching the video instead of listening to what was being said... I should've paid attention.