The word of the day is phubbing, or phone snubbing: the act of staring at your phone while talking with another person. We all do it.
Online solitaire service Solitaired surveyed 1,098 Americans and found that 91% of respondents have looked at their phone while talking to someone who was physically in front of them. The reason? Boredom.
When we get bored, we look at our phones. Respondents say they do it while watching TV, waiting in line, and using public transit. We use our phones during phone conversations and virtual and in-person work meetings, so why not while socializing?
Who phubs you the most? When asked this question, 28% of respondents accused their significant others. And another 47% say this happens to them every day.
The second most likely person to look at their phone while talking to you is your best friend. Meanwhile, the least likely family member to phub you is, apparently, your dad.
The interesting bit is that people know they do this and use it to their advantage. A total of 66% of respondents say they use their phones to get out of talking to specific family members. And 71% plan to use their phones at the Thanksgiving Day table.
