Dear Lauren,
Whenever my friends and I go out, they are always on their cell phones. We end up staring at our phones more than we talk to each other. How can I help break this habit with my buddies?
Sincerely,
Blinded by Technology
Dear Blinded,
Cell phones have absolutely taken over our social interactions and it’s really dreadful.
Did you know that you cannot make real connections with other human beings through cell phones? Yes, it’s true.
We actually have to talk to each other face to face in order to form real friendships.
Maybe you have heard of this technique before, but some people like to play a game where when they go out to eat with their friends or family. Everyone puts their cell phone face down in the middle of the table. Whomever picks up their phone first, has to pay for everyone’s meal.
That game is a great way to trick people into letting go of their electronic devices for an hour or two.
Another option is to just be honest with your friends.
Have an open discussion with them and tell everyone that you feel like their phones are a major barrier between everyone. Simply just ask them if they could just enjoy the company of the people they are with instead of focusing on what people are doing on Facebook or Twitter.
If they respect your friendship enough, hopefully they will be willing to give this a try. Remind them that if they are not actually present in the moment, then they will just forget the good times that you are having.
Good luck and remember to always listen to Lauren!
Lauren Dwyer
Senior Features Editor
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