Has technology ruined the art of conversation?

[HairyCyclist]

I've been out to the pub tonight with friends.
Within minutes of being there they were on their phones, checking Facebook, text messages and the like.
In my opinion gone are the days when you could just be out talking and enjoying each others company.
I couldn't get a word in edgeways without being interrupted by an annoying ping or ringtone, looking around I saw couples out for meals constantly checking their phones for updates.
What the hell is going on?
Does this annoy anyone else? or am I miserable or behind the times or something?

[KUSA]

I think you are correct in your hypothesis.

[brewer]

I've walked out when the phone/device commands more attention.

[abaris]

Does this annoy anyone else? or am I miserable or behind the times or something?

I observe people on the sub, even walking on the streets, eyes constantly glued to their phones. Yes, I find it stupid and have a good laugh when some of them actually stumble over their own feet because they can't be arsed to pocket their mobiles.

As for me, my generation grew up without this shit. So we aren't as addicted as the younger generations seems to be. Also, Assbook doesn't interest me one bit. I couldn't give half a shit what an imaginary friend digests right now or if they have procreated and feel like sharing ugly baby photos.

[BrokenQuill92]

I've been out to the pub tonight with friends.
Within minutes of being there they were on their phones, checking Facebook, text messages and the like.
In my opinion gone are the days when you could just be out talking and enjoying each others company.
I couldn't get a word in edgeways without being interrupted by an annoying ping or ringtone, looking around I saw couples out for meals constantly checking their phones for updates.
What the hell is going on?
Does this annoy anyone else? or am I miserable or behind the times or something?

No it's me too, it pisses me off. When I go out I turn my phone off. The off switch there for just such an occasion.

[Minimalist]

Yes, other people have noticed.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yeah, I don't take being treated as secondary very well, so if it's not an emergency and they take the text anyway, I take the message and limit my time with that person.

[Exian]

What ever happened to just living through the awkward silence and waiting for the beer to kick in?

[Jesster]

My ex-boyfriend paid more attention to his phone than to me about 80% of the time whenever we'd go out anywhere. That's not the main reason we aren't together anymore, but it sure didn't help. This is definitely one of my pet peeves.

I also play tabletop rpgs (such as D&D) and I've had to make a hard rule about restricting electronic devices at the table. Some people just can't set their phones down for more than five minutes. I have to gather them up and put them in another room before we can start.

[Alex K]

I've been out to the pub tonight with friends.
Within minutes of being there they were on their phones, checking Facebook, text messages and the like.
In my opinion gone are the days when you could just be out talking and enjoying each others company.
I couldn't get a word in edgeways without being interrupted by an annoying ping or ringtone, looking around I saw couples out for meals constantly checking their phones for updates.
What the hell is going on?
Does this annoy anyone else? or am I miserable or behind the times or something?

My wife would threaten me with divorce if I constantly did that while we're going out.

I don't want to paint the situation with too broad a brush and come across like some old fart bemoaning the decay of society, after all, people are still engaging in human communication with these new technical means - it's just that we seem to have such a hard time to really simply be *there* in a RL location exclusively and with someone, and not at the same time engaging with the virtual crowd. I think that's potentially a problem.