We all live off our smartphones now. It is the heart and soul of our very existence and if we could, we’d probably want our smartphones sewn in our hands so we’d never lose sight of it. Texting, or using our phones is just something we expect to do all the time now – whether you’re walking, in the middle of a conversation, eating, watching TV, you’re always scrolling through the screen of your smartphone obsessively and it’s pretty hard to stop.
When you’re so used to constantly looking at your phone every hour of the day, you’re bound to start isolating yourself from the real world. Have you ever been called out by friends for gluing your eyes on your phone all the time? If you have numerous times, it’s time to reassess your phone etiquette.
Using your phone during a date – especially in the early stages- can be off-putting. It makes you seem disinterested, and while you may think you have had a good time, the other party may have gotten a bad vibe.
We asked a few men if they’ve ever gone out on a date with a girl who spent most of the date on the phone, and asked them to describe the experience:
“That has never happened to me before. But if it did, I’d just leave”. – Aiman
“It was annoying, but I sympathized because it was just her mom texting her about her whereabouts. She apologised for it it, but at the end of the day, no matter who you’re communicating with, it feels like you’re being left out”. – Dan
“I think a lot of people don’t do that, especially during the first date unless if it’s important. A friend of mine is always on her phone because her job depends on it. I think if you’re doing it because you have no choice, it’s quite understandable”. – Chew
“Yes. It’s was really uncomfortable, I tried my best to strike a conversation but to no avail. I resorted to inserting random words and actions to gauge her concentration and interest. Let’s just say, “do you like anal” got a nod and a yes”. – Shayne
“I was drinking at a bar with my friends once, and I saw this girl among her friends. She was texting on her phone, taking photos whenever the opportunity arose. I thought she was cute and decided to talk to her. She seemed interested and we went to a table and started talking. She was looking at Facebook a lot, though”. – Ben
Spending half the time on your phone makes the situation awkward, and again – you’re sending a bad outlook of yourself. Here are some basic phone etiquette tips when you’re out on a date:
1. It’s okay to answer a call, just excuse yourself so you can answer it privately.
2. If you know you’ll be getting lots of messages from work, or someone concerned, let your date know beforehand so you can pardon yourself.
3. Instagram, Facebook, picture-taking and texting are off-limits. You should be paying attention to him, not your current social circle.
4. Do apologize when you’re answering a text or email while sitting in front of your date. He’ll respect you for it.
5. Leave the phone in your bag. Leaving it on the table is already a bad sign to him. That aside, you’ll be more likely to check your phone when it’s right in front of you.
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