Just learned a new word tonight: phubbing. Yeah, it’s a portmanteau of “phone” and “snubbing” — when you’re sitting across from someone and instead of actually engaging with them, you’re scrolling through your phone.
I’ll be honest, I’ve been guilty of this more times than I’d like to admit. You’re in the middle of a conversation, someone’s telling you something, and that little buzz pulls your attention away. Before you know it, you’ve checked three apps and completely lost the thread of what the person was saying.
The timing of learning this word is perfect since Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. The article makes a solid point: if there’s one night when we should resist the reflex to check notifications or Instagram, it’s February 14th. Your partner shouldn’t have to compete with a rectangle of glass and aluminum for your attention.
The fix is pretty straightforward — turn on Do Not Disturb, flip the phone face down, or better yet, just leave it in your pocket. Those messages can wait. The person across from you deserves your undivided attention.
So here’s my Valentine’s resolution: less phubbing, more actual presence. Who’s with me?
