Technology connects us to the outside world, but what about connecting to the world right in front of us? Take a look around you: How many people are on their mobile phones talking, walking, reading, surfing, emailing or texting?
Now look again: How many people are engaged with their phones while they're with another person? What happened to actually paying attention to the person in front of you—the person with whom you (hopefully) arranged to spend time?
The brunch conundrum. On any given weekend morning, observe people having brunch at a restaurant. I used to be amazed at how people could share a meal, enjoy their first cup of coffee and read the newspaper—all without saying a word to their companions. Why bother going out? (Some people say it's a sign of an established relationship when you don't have to speak to the other person. I don't buy it.)
Now it's become even worse (yes, that is how I see it—worse). These people no longer bring a newspaper to brunch; their newspapers have been replaced by smart phones and Siri. I recently observed this behavior firsthand when my husband and I went out for a weekend brunch. For at least 15 minutes, the couple next to us never exchanged a word. They were completely engaged with their phones instead of each other.
