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AIBU

Phone manners.

(42 Posts)
LovelyLady Sat 13-Jan-24 11:41:56

It’s strange how we change over the years. We train our husbands gradually when we first meet them. It’s a slow process. Years later mobile phones arrive and we’re perhaps out of the ‘training mode’. Men are not mind readers, tell your husband it annoys you. Job done.

Baggs Wed 10-Jan-24 10:15:10

I agree, SueD. People are too quick to judge. I generally read a book or a newspaper on my phone when waiting for bus/doctor/nurse/whatever. If I was holding an actual book or newspaper no-one would be judgmental.

That said, what the OP describes is definitely bad manners.

And that said, when I was growing up my seat at meal times was in front of a bookcase full of references books – dictionaries in various languages, atlases and maps, etc – and it was often my job to pull out a book so we could check or corroborate something we were discussing at the table. This very moment I just pulled my phone digital dictionary out of my pocket to check the spelling of corroborate.

I love having a whole library of information in my pocket. It saves the need for a whole shelf of reference books just behind the dining-table (though we have those too, just no so easily accessible.

OP, why don't you tell your husband how rude he is being? I would if mine behaved like that.

Witzend Wed 10-Jan-24 10:00:26

Kim19

I vowed from the start that I would never come beholden to my mobile. However, I do confess that, on the odd occasion I've forgotten to take it into town with me, I feel decidedly bereft. Sad but true.......

I use mine quite a lot, but often forget to take it when going out. Which was once a PITA after I’d realised (having walked the 25 minutes into town) that the buses were on strike! And it’s quite a steep uphill on the way back, with fairly heavy shopping, and I couldn’t phone my chauffeur aka dh to come and pick me up.

I took a cab home, so that was £8 down the drain.

BigBertha1 Tue 09-Jan-24 14:42:56

I think I'm am just amazed at how much my mobile can do with updates and applications added regularly and how convenient it is. We don't sit with them on at dinner but I confess we do look at them often. Its a mobile computer now not just a phone now you can get all your home admin straight, keep up with hobbies and interests and have regular communication with friends and family .

Kim19 Tue 09-Jan-24 14:01:00

I vowed from the start that I would never come beholden to my mobile. However, I do confess that, on the odd occasion I've forgotten to take it into town with me, I feel decidedly bereft. Sad but true.......

Tenko Tue 09-Jan-24 13:50:49

dotpocka

sitting invarious doctors offices for the last year watching almost
every one looking like idiots on phones i passed one on who did not get up when the nurse called him /she just giggled,sick of babysitting these people

I’m a hygienist and I get so fed up of calling patients and they’re not listening due to being ontheir phones . I’ve had a few who have made me wait whilst they finish an email or text !!!!
What they don’t realise that it’s their appointment time they’re wasting .

Tenko Tue 09-Jan-24 13:46:13

No you’re not being unreasonable, that would drive me nuts. It’s also incredibly rude .
I have a phone ban at dinner tables for my family , at home and in restaurants.
I find it really annoying when I go into the staff room at work during lunch and find other staff members all on their phones.

biglouis Tue 09-Jan-24 10:24:19

What annoys me is the assumption that we all behave in those moronic ways. A couple of weeks ago I missed a text from someone who asked "Dont you ever check your phone?" I told them I turn it on when I want to make a call. The phone is there for my convenience and not that of anyone else.

SueDonim Sat 06-Jan-24 22:03:30

My Dh, even with hearing aids, can’t hear conversation in noisy cafes and restaurants especially those with music playing so we’ll look at our phones and maybe share things we come across. That’s better than sitting in silence.

People really shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

hollysteers Sat 06-Jan-24 21:57:50

I had a ‘big’ birthday afternoon tea celebration with DD and DS at Claridges. Large family on next table ignored each other and everything, heads down in phone. I was bemused. Beautiful setting, piano music and people to watch, never mind talk to each other.

MerylStreep Sat 06-Jan-24 21:53:56

flappergirl

It's become the new normal everywhere, with everyone, regardless of age. It's a form of addiction I think, like online gambling only without the financial losses.

It is particularly noticeable in restaurants where couples just scroll and scroll with their eyes fixed to the phone screen. They barely pause to the let the waiter put food in front of them. I mean, what on earth are they looking at?

It is definitely an addiction.

cassioburycourt.com/2022/04/mobile-phone-scrolling-addiction/

M0nica Sat 06-Jan-24 21:42:53

No, you are being totally and completely reasonable.

If DH did that to me, I would immediately get up and walk out of the room without saying a word.

dotpocka Sat 06-Jan-24 21:11:06

sitting invarious doctors offices for the last year watching almost
every one looking like idiots on phones i passed one on who did not get up when the nurse called him /she just giggled,sick of babysitting these people

Patsy70 Sat 06-Jan-24 20:54:06

My OH isn’t that bad! It is certainly not acceptable when we’re out for dinner, only in the comfort of our own home.

flappergirl Sat 06-Jan-24 20:09:07

It's become the new normal everywhere, with everyone, regardless of age. It's a form of addiction I think, like online gambling only without the financial losses.

It is particularly noticeable in restaurants where couples just scroll and scroll with their eyes fixed to the phone screen. They barely pause to the let the waiter put food in front of them. I mean, what on earth are they looking at?

Patsy70 Sat 06-Jan-24 19:05:12

😂 Sorry, but I know exactly what you mean, my OH does it too. I’m sure I have many annoying habits myself, so he gets away with it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

ClareAB Sat 06-Jan-24 18:19:44

Am I being unreasonable to be fed up with my husband picking his phone up in the middle of a conversation and starting to scroll/read messages/look 'something up?'
It really, really, grinds my gears.