Social i'mobile'lisation .

It's called being AP - absent but present!

Me too Otw10413 . My DH and I had my sister round for dinner last weekend and she spent the entire evening texting and face booking. I know I am boring but......... I find it the height of bad manners.

I don't know what they find to say to each other when they're constantly texting!
It's very sad.

I am afraid that anybody who was a guest at my house and started using any mobile device, except in an emergency, would soon get told that they were being bad-mannered. Perhaps they just don't realise?

I agree Greatnan and did tell my sister on many occasions that she was being really rude and at one point suggested that she would be better off leaving. It had no effect though as she continued throughout the night, chuckling away to herself at whatever -crap-- she was texting.

I'm thinking of starting a wi-fi-free restaurant/pub guide - one where all mobile devices are banned, what do you think?

Otw10413 I'll be your first customer.

I will be your second. I will not be bringing my sister!

Our favourite country pub for lunch, is in a black hole where no phones work!

Ella, I'd love to know where that is - could you pm me, please?

Will do Anno

I must tell my daughter that Ariadne when she comes on Sunday and out comes the phone. "AP absent but present" Very good.

I do sometimes think it would be nice to take out my kindle and read whilst waiting for the food to arrive.

Oh I do that j08 is that counted? Surely not. Reading is education and that's never wrong.

I know a few people who can not be parted from their phone even for the duration of the meal.
I was out to dinner with twelve people and one woman kept checking her phone every minute and telling people on FB where she was eating and who she was with.
I can forgive medical emergencies and need to be in contact with babysitters but social websites ?

The only time I allow facebooking during family visits is if we're having a high old time and want to rub it in share it with others.

My senior GS is the worst culprit in the family. She should know better and so should our generation.

gillybob next time, empty tables permitting, why not move to another table with the rest of the family and leave your sister on a table by herself. It is what I would do if any of my family behaved like that.

Shall I start a wifi free thread on GN?

With postage stamps the price they are?

Yes , a wifi free thread sounds great ( we could book holidays where no-one could reach us ) . On the rare occasions when I have forgotten my phone , I have rediscovered the sort of relaxed free-thinking space that I'd almost given up on ! One should expect that at times when we share meals with family and friends and I think the second and third times , when I 'forgot ' my phone may have been more than forgetfulness .