You see it everywhere, especially in New York City. Bistros, fine dining, fast food, outdoor bars. Like a quickly spreading epidemic I walk by these tables and see couples sitting having a beer, or food. But there is no speaking, no yelling, no communication. Well there is rather, but all on smart phones. Take a look again at your nearby restaurant and you'll be shocked by the number of people sitting face to face but on their smart phones - texting, BBMing, fbing, four-squaring where they are.
What happened to the love of sharing food with someone you love?
What happened to the joy of food?
In an era where smart phones are becoming as much of an accessory as lipstick or your watch, communication is becoming more electronic and interconnected than ever before. You can hold 34 conversations simultaneously on your phone while updating where you are all while learning the latest Perez Hilton gossip. But this activity becomes infectious, and this worries me as the sheer activity of live communication becomes second to what buzzes in your pocket.
You see it all the time, the table is silent but to the noise of fingers clicking on the phone. Why bother going out then? The premise of going out to eat, grab a bite, catch up with a friend has lost all its value and novelty as you drive your attention to your 2.5x4" screen. The idea of being able to physically engage with your companion all while surrounded by the ability to enjoy food is something special and one of the few times in life where you can just slow down and forget what else is going on.
The inner foodie in me kills me when I see it. So do me a favor, and for the sake of all food lovers, conversation lovers, and people lovers out there: turn off your damn phone. Things can wait for 60 minutes.
>>>EDIT>>>
Seems like CNN and Netiquette agree with me as well:
Article here
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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