Phubbing is on the rise in Washington. Most don’t even know they’re doing it, but it is alienating people, hurting friendships, and in some cases destroying relationships. So what is Phubbing, and how can you combat it? We’ll explore that below.
What Is Phubbing?
The term “phubbing” was coined in 2012 by an advertising agency to describe antisocial behavior, and sadly, most of us have done it. Whether you’ve meant to or not. Whether intentional, boredom, or simply out of habit.
women outside, looking at a phone.
According to Wikipedia, Phubbing is:
“The act of ignoring one’s immediate social interactions in favor of engaging with a smartphone.”
The word is a combination of ‘phone’ and ‘snubbing’. Make sense?
Why Does Phubbing Happen?
Several reasons why people Phub can include the joy and sudden dopamine spike from a notification or a LIKE. Boredom (like I mentioned above), and even FOMO… the Fear Of Missing Out.
You know you really have a problem when you’re constantly checking the phone, or even leaving it on the table during a meal, just so you can take a peek, even when you’re not needed.
My Experience Phubbing
As much as I’d love to say that I’m not guilty of phubbing, I am. I did become more aware of it many, many years ago when I was on a date. The girl seemed to get her phone out every couple of minutes and check it. I felt it was rude, her constantly checking turned out to be due to a family emergency, so that was acceptable, but made me realize that we need to be MORE in the moment.
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I now only Phub when the conversation I’m in the middle of turns to politics. To me, it’s just better to stay out of it. Usually, it is between family members, and that’s when I open up my phone and look for muted cat videos and memes.
woman with cat ear hairpice holding a phone.
How Can You Cut Back On Phubbing
I’ve found that just leaving the phone somewhere you are not, or turning it off, helps me. I try to stay focused on conversations, and as much as I may love my phone, I remember that we as a society went decades without being connected at the hip to the world. It’ll survive for a little while without me being connected to it.
Are you bad at Phubbing? Do you have good reasons to do it when you do? How do you stop it? Tap the App and let us know.
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