Why does nobody talk about people just staring at their phones on public transit? I visited NYC last week and it bugged me so much.

I mean, I get it, phones are interesting. But I was on the subway in Manhattan around 5 PM last Tuesday and like 30 out of maybe 40 people in my car had their face buried in their screen. Nobody even glanced up when a guy started playing guitar and singing pretty loud. It felt like we all agreed to just ignore everything around us. I actually put my phone away and watched people for 20 minutes and only saw 2 people make eye contact with anyone else. Is this just how it is now or am I being too old fashioned about it?

3 comments

3 Comments

mary77623d ago

Phones ruined the subway vibe for sure.

margaret_jackson7323d ago

30 out of 40 people ignoring a loud guitar player? That's wild. I get not wanting small talk, but a whole busker performance getting zero reaction seems like a missed moment. Does nobody clap or even nod anymore?

terry_thomas23d ago

Oh man, I love it. Finally I can get some peace on the train without some rando trying to make awkward small talk or a loud musician trying to busk for change. Everyone staring at their phone is the perfect way to signal "leave me alone, I'm commuting.