Eating out but not talking.

Do people eat out several times a week? Really? I thought everyone was meant to be ‘just about managing’ from what we read.

You are so right lemongrove not only sad but potentially dangerous when parents are concentrating on screens and not where the buggy or child is.

Yeah I'm a spring chicken of 64 Lemongrove, I made no reference to the bloke in the park but whatever, I would guess he's self absorbed and doesn't know how to interact with his son, I know my kids Dad struggled with ours when they were young.If the kid could talk to you and tell you he wanted to stay and play he's just as capable of telling his mum the same. Maybe that dad was having his weekend visit with his son and has run out of ideas of what to do with him, it happens but I don't know them and wouldn't have judged. Some mothers may ignore their kids I suspect some Mothers always did and always will. It's a fact.

I think it is sad when people choose their phones or tablets over talking to their companions. One day that companion may not be there - I would give anything to be able again to have the long conversations I used to have with my DH - that can never happen. The emails, tweets and Facebook will always be there - the person across the table from you may not

Yes some people do eat out several times a week, it's part of their routine, just as others eat takeaways several times a week. Have a look at programs like eat well for less for example.

Lucky sods!

Each to their own I guess, I went off takeaways after a dodgy one tbh but frequently think I could make it in the time they take to deliver anyway.

I thought this thread was going to be about going out with DH and sitting in silence . It’s what happens when we go out!

Suedonim of course thats a possibility but I thought there was music because young people like it. Its generally geared towards younger people. (But that could be a whole other thread )!)

I think it is geared towards younger people, Annep. Though given that I find it difficult to hear people through the loud music, I can't understand why the young folk with their sharper hearing aren't deafened by it!

They don't hear it.
Too busy on their Ipads and phones!

With ear phones in! Maybe they're all busy messaging each other because they can't hear what anyone is saying.

Sending messages saying "Blimey! This music is ruddy awful!"

Please do not judge all C on iPads, our GS is on the autism spectrum, and if the restaurant is noisy or he just gets overwhelmed the iPad and earphones are a lifesaver for him. Prevents a meltdown which is distressing for him and those around.

Lol, MissAdventure! I'm now unexpectedly going out for dinner this evening - I'll report back on my observations.

DH & 1 eat out reglarly..before or after a theatre/ cinema / music gig / catch upnwith friends etc etc or just because we want to. I cook for 4DGC x 2 weekly and regularly for us too.
We are fortunate to be able to eat out as often as we do. Only occasionally see total non communication! We use our mobiles to look up what actors have done etc as we can never remember!???

PECS - sounds like H and I - our memories are useless so often have to "google" to solve a "discussion"!

Exactly * Grannygravy*

Flexible Friend Just to let you know being glued to a phone isn't inevitable for younger people.

My DS and DDiL and their children manage to function in the modern world without being glued to mobile phones, ipads or anything like that . Phones are used, when needed to phone people, text and do all the other things people do with them. But most of the time they sit on the side to be responded to if necessary.

Similarly DGC have no electronic games, or xboxes etc. Eldest has just got a phone now that she has started secondary school and is getting an ipad through the school as it is integrated into how education is delivered. Both children's bedrooms are electronics free.

They suffer no handicaps because they have been allowed to use their parents phones under supervision. Meals in and out are screen free.

They are not the exception. Both of them have a group of friends whose parents have the same attitude to screens that they have, Unsurprisingly, all these children do well at school and are good communicators, because they are in households where members talk to each.

Thank you, Grannygravy. I can see how headphones and iPads could be used to help some children in noisy environments.

I’ve often noticed couples sitting in silence so when we go out I have an agenda! I save up interesting things from the previous week to discuss whilst I have his undivided attention..
As for children, I feel that sitting round a table and conversing is such a good way of encouraging, not only social skills but also table manners. These may get them a job in the future. MyDGS has his tablet time but puts it down quite happily to do something more interesting.
Like most things in life balance is the key.

M0nica maybe you should actually read my posts before referencing them because I never said young people were glued to their phones. You could have referenced untold others who did though.

My DGCs may use a screen in a restaurant before food arrives. Once it is there they are put away. Gives adults a chance to catch up before engaging kids in the conversation. It works for us!

Our DC's gt grandmother told us that she was always in trouble for reading a book under the table. Some things don't change much. This will have been about 1900.

Now I did say things ain't so different these days, reading a book, looking at a screen just variations on a theme.