Protests against phubbing is gaining momentum, ironically even on social networks.
The word phubbing is not even a month old but the phenomenon has been among us for quite some time now.
Phubbing is just one symptom of our increasing reliance on mobile phones and the internet which is replacing normal social interaction.
It refers to the kind of person who bursts out laughing mid-conversation, making you think you’ve made a brilliant joke, and then says, “Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you, I just saw something really funny on Twitter.” Or those who check their emails while on the dance floor! There would be not many things more irritating than this.
I love my phone
“Phubbing, also known as stonewalling in psychology, is a syndrome where people have absolutely no control on their impulse to check their phones. It’s like an obsession with your gadgets or seeking gratification via your phone,” says city-based clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany.
“It is not just lack of manners. I feel ignored and hurt every time my girlfriend looks into her phone while we are together.
It seems people on the phone interest her more than the man walking with her. Am I so boring!” says Ashish Goel, a city-based MBA student.
Social disconnect
Seema explains that people, who’s friends phub them, feel extremely isolated, rejected and not being part of the whole event. “Many say that they want to break their relationship with friends who stonewall them. Some take phubbing very personally, they feel intense emotion of not being wanted and being treated like a doormat,” she says.
For your eyes only
“It sounds juvenile but once I told my husband that he will have to choose between his phone and me when we are together. I refuse to be ignored,” complains Shalini Singh, a marketing professional.
“Phubbers probably have low self-esteem and require constant reassurance to be connected with the gadget but totally disconnected with friends in person. Unfortunately, they stop valuing people who love them,” concludes Seema.
It may seem ironical but even Facebook has a Stop Phubbing community. Now, how will you whine over your beloved who is ignoring you on a date to update a post on FB’s Stop Phubbing page!
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