That behavioural pattern that has pretty much taken root these days, in many 40's and under, in situations of embarrassment, social discomfort or just sheer boredom, just wouldn't have had an outlet before the mobile phone. I, myself used to tsk, tsk at such behaviour, yet I'm aware that I do it myself just once in a blue moon. For me it's significant that I am still aware I'm doing it on those rare occasions. I would say you are right about the age group as I was in my 30's before I got my first mobile phone, so I had already established a social behavioural pattern without one. I didn't automatically reach for it like a blue blanket to comfort me, which, these days, is a side effect of the smartphone especially. It's modern behaviour. Hey, I still bristle every time I see words like gotten, or tonite, or dove [past tense of dive instead of dived, not the bird type], or the fairly recent emancipation of the gerund, pretty much all of which has come over from the USA. Yet this is all modern chat in the English speaking world, much as I might rail against it.
I would say that it is rude to put your phone on the table if out dining with friends....after all you wouldn't put a portable tv on the table would you? Not a bad thing to break yourself of the twitch habit at least occasionally. One girl annoyed me by regularly checking her phone near me whilst in the cinema....the bright light was annoying. I told her to turn it off unless she was waiting for a new kidney...in which case I'd forgive her. Obviously thought I was a nutter, but she did stop doing it....so result!
A good social experiment for younger people particuarly is for a small group to go out for a meal with a phone ban amd the first person to slip up pays for everyones meal.
I have the Samsung S7 edge that I am pleased with , but if it was not for the poor camera , I would still have my HTC one M8 .
I remain doggedly (? stupidly) in the 'one device for one use' camp. Apart from a basic text facility I just want a phone to, well, phone people on. The all singing all dancing smart phone does not really appeal. I like to use my camera for pictures, my tablet for on the move internet, sat nav for, um, sat naving and a green butterfly net to catch wild japanese monster thingys. But then I'm currently being ridiculed by my children for having started a list titled "If they were invented now it would be seen as an advance". FM radio for example, instead of DAB, especially in cars. Or any audio format apart from mp3.
You make a very valid point . I use my phone for " Snap shots " If I am going to an event etc ( family get together holiday etc ) I take my Canon Digital camera . I wish we still had PROPER photographs !!!!! Not something that can end up getting used as a Drink Mat . It's not easy passing around a lap top / PC for looking at pictures ..in fact ...IMHO it's **** !
Stacks of photos can be annoying, but at least you probably pick out a few to keep. I have several holidays and family events that haven't got past my digital camera and probably never will. Some may think that is a good thing, but lose your camera or phone without downloading and you may lose the first few years of a baby's life.
My wife and I both enjoy taking pictures with our 'posh' DSLR cameras. She has become quite competitive and joined the local club, I mutter in an antisocial way in the corner. Her main problem now is storing the vast amount of pictures she takes, she's using DVDs in the spare room at the moment but keeping track is a bit difficult. She's not someone who really understands the concept of backups so I've resisted setting up an external HD or NAS for storage, she'd manage to wipe the ruddy thing as sure as eggs is eggs! Just a thought, has anyone taken pictures at St Marys with a 'proper' camera? Do the stewards get shirty if you wander in with your big telephoto sticking out at the front?
I have one of these . https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong5 Still going strong & perfect for my use . Also it was a wedding gift from my Mum & Dad , so Loathe to get rid / Change .
My phone is even older than yours. I use it for texts, phone calls and to take pictures in an emergency (when someone reversed into my car!) but I have no wish to peer at the internet on it or take proper photos. I don't have it wielded to my hand but lurking somewhere in my pocket or bag. I have even been known to turn it off!
My phone doesn't even take photos....which means it is lovely and small....so lovely and small I keep losing it in my bag. Hardly ever manage to find it in time to answer a call....that's if I hear it of course.
