A recent survey by Retrevo found that “10 per cent of people under age 25 [don’t] see anything wrong with texting during sex.” While this may seem crazy and foreign to many of the older generation, statistics such as this have become the norm amongst younger people. “Public Display of Disaffection,” an etiquette article written by Anne Kingston and Anne Ballingall in Maclean’s Magazine, states that public cell phone use, or “cell-fishness,” is becoming much worse, “given how high awareness is.” Using both expert and anecdotal evidence throughout the story, the editorial critiques the ever-growing use of cell phones during conversations, dinners, and yes, even sex. Pamela Eyring, the director of the Protocol School of Washington, claims that there are “four stages of Blackberry abandonment.” When the person you are trying to converse with pulls out a mobile device and drifts into their own, apparently much more interesting, world, the other feels confused at first, then “discomfort[ed], irritat[ed], and then…outrage[d].” The article concludes with tales of restaurants, theatres, fast-food outlets, and pharmacies slamming down on cell phone use in their businesses. Although some just tell the customers to “turn their ringers off, it’s a start.”
Whilst reading the article, I couldn’t help but to feel uncomfortable. After all, I have committed many of these acts of “cell-fishness.” In a world where technology is becoming evermore important, it becomes more and more difficult not to look at my cell phone to check my Facebook, texts, or whatever social media outlet is being used when this is being read. But, with great power comes great responsibility. As kids, we haven’t quite realized how important face-to-face conversation is. The most important thing you can give someone, is your time. But, as the article explains, cell phones have ”upend[ed] traditional rules of etiquette…it connects far-flung virtual communities and irritates the person standing next to you.” All in all, Kingston
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