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Do You Text at the Dinner Table?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Do You Text at the Dinner Table?

 

It seems almost no one is without a smart phone these days:

 

Kids walk to and from school with them

 

There seem to be more drivers on their cell phones than not, and not using hands-free devices…illegal in many states, including CA

 

People stroll the aisles at the supermarket, chat in the library, walk on the beach and on side walks, ride bicycles and skateboards, and sit on the pot in public restrooms on the phone

 

iPhoneAnd people aren’t just talking on their phones, but texting everywhere it seems.

 

Is there any place or time that is sacred these days as far as texting is concerned?

 

Texting seems to be far more prevalent. It’s understandable - in places where you can’t talk, say a meeting, seminar, in church, a doctor’s waiting room, texting is still possible, and people take advantage of this.

 

You have to wonder…is it all really necessary? Are there times, like the dinner table, when you really COULD wait a few minutes to text someone?

 

And how about in your car where you are risking your life and others?!!

 

pink toiletHave our personal and business lifestyles become so entwined with technology that no place is sacrosanct, no time and place forbidden?

Or is it that we simply allow it to become a habit, set no boundaries, and don’t consider NOT taking our phone or using it.

 

Is there life without the phone and texting?

 

All that said, who hasn’t either had a personal experience, or read of one, where a life was saved, some disaster averted, evactuations were ordered in a fire, or medical help was quickly found because of a smart phone call or text. No doubt critical communication is far easier and faster with today's technology.

 

Do you use your phone and/or text everywhere and anywhere you go?

 

Are there times when your phone is off (other than when required, say on an airplane? Or not answered (e.g., when with a client)?

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

No phones, no computers, no tablets at my table (EVER)! It's just so rude and obnoxious as far as I'm concerned. And what in the world is just that important? I shut my phones off regularly.

Oct 03, 2015 05:34 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Our family has a rule. We meet for dinner and I say, "Everyone check messages please." After several minutes I say, "Okay, time to put phones away." And they must be placed out of sight (not on the table) for the rest of the meal. I want to spend time with my loved ones, not AT&T!

Oct 03, 2015 05:55 AM
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I text at the dinner table, surf facebook, check for a date on Tinder, watch videos and all that stuff.  Of course, I'm a single guy.  When I'm with others, I'll keep an eye on my email and texts, usually because they are important 9 times out of 10.  In addition, I get many alerts and some of those alerts demand immediate attention (brush fire, news alert, rescue call...).

 

I actually discussed an offer with one of my sellers Thursday night while I was at a club.  Have phone, will work.

Oct 03, 2015 07:06 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Colby & Michele Myers 

Well I have to agree - it just keeps getting more and more prevalent, with pressure to respond immediately, anytime. Best we can do individually is set parameters and let others know when we can or can't respond. But not sure how successful that will be, at least with some

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 07:34 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Jane Peters 

Yep, I agree with you on that. And I must confess my habits have gotten kinda bad as well. It's far too easy to let things go astray rather than set more boundaries and shut the darn thing off, at least for me. There is probably no place where you won't find someone on the phone or texting

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 08:12 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Nina Hollander 

Yep, calls and texting in particular at the dinner table (or breakfast or lunch) is rude and not necessary. I need to work on shuttng my phone off more often - my vacation will be a time to test that out - can't wait

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 08:23 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Jeff, the Internet and Cell phones are the biggest advancement in your and my generation. There is also a negative and down side to these innovations too. You address this quite well.

Oct 03, 2015 08:23 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Gwen Banta 

I think that's a pretty good rule to have, and observe. Maybe better to get the stuff out of the way before sitting down. I have a friend whose family does NOT allow phones at the table at all, even when off

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 08:56 AM
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

   Absolutely no.  There are no texts or phone calls or tablets at our dinner table.

Oct 03, 2015 09:05 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Ryan Huggins 

I think this is probably the norm for many people. And it IS tough when others have expectations of immediace. The world has changed - we used to get by just fine for the most part before all this technology. And I admit, I am pretty mobile most of the time, but I try to be respectful.

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 09:12 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Noah Seidenberg 

Well it's not changing for the better anytime soon. I think the biggest gripe I have is feeling (and that is part my fault) that I always need to be reachable, and that's just not necessary, at least much of the time. It has gotten to be a habit. And acceptable for many

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 09:15 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Gary Coles 

I think it's a good rule to observe for any meal with family or guests

Jeff

Oct 03, 2015 09:51 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeff- I confess my phone is always with me but I do not answer it when I'm with a client or at lunch or dinner with someone.  When out to breakfast with Larry I'll read  football scores to him and go on CNBC to get the early movers. 

Oct 03, 2015 12:14 PM
Andrzej Niemyjski
Realty One Group - Sun City West, AZ

I have to admit that my phones are with me all the time but I do not answer when I'm with a client

Oct 03, 2015 03:15 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

My phone is off when I go to bed, in a concert, at yoga, etc. On silent mode with clients. I'll check for messages during intermissions, etc. And--once in a blue moon I'll text from a restaurant - last night, for instance, I texted my granddaughter to see if she wanted to walk over and join us for gelato!

Oct 03, 2015 03:46 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

You have to wonder sometimes...what were the olden days of real meals, attentive driving and actual conversaion really like ..the up and coming genrations will never know !

Oct 03, 2015 06:30 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Jeff.  No phones at my dinner table, they are left in the other room.  No texting, talking or business.  (But, we are watching the news on TV.)

Oct 03, 2015 09:18 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Jeff. No way in hell, it is nuts how bad it has gotten.

Oct 03, 2015 09:22 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Jeff... I'm about to leave on vacation at the other end of the world with an 8 hour time difference. What I do is alot 2 hours each morning to catch up on work and messages and then a quick review at the end of my day. I've not had clients be upset as I alert them in advance to my scheduled. They usually just say "I won't bother you, you deserve time off." To my mind it's about setting expectations upfront with clients and prospects as to communication.

Oct 03, 2015 09:27 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, eating dinner is nice not to read emails or text clients, at least for a half hour!  

Oct 06, 2015 11:24 PM