After sitting next to someone for a lunch one too many times and being virtually ignored, I have given considerable thought to the reasons I hate texting, and here is what I've come up with:
SMS texting, like a lot of technology, has replaced the smoking habit for a lot of people. I like to call it chain-texting. Think about it. When done habitually, chain-texting is self-imposed ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The text junkie is unable to hold a cohesive conversation with those in her physical company. She is often unable to maintain eye contact or hold her hands still.
Texting tethers its user to a device like a slave. Rather than focusing on the quality of her relationships in person, the chain-texter feverishly inputs her running texts to keep her contacts happy and at bay. When a person begins to confuse the words "friend" and "contact," she's probably already too far gone.
As we have seen in recent video, chain-texting is often unsafe, as one feels it is necessary to constantly view the keypad while operating. I have witnessed mothers obliviously texting while crossing busy parking lots, their toddlers meandering steps behind as incredulous motorists wait to see how far behind the child can fall before mother finishes sending and jerks her child back to her side.
Chain-texting takes her totally out of the moment, causing her to miss fully experiencing her immediate physical environment and her attentive company, and incites frustration in others.
This habit is often anxiety-provoking when the chain-texter is unable to respond or keep in constant touch with contacts. In fact, text withdrawal can strike at any moment, resulting in a panic attack upon finding one's phone has died or lost signal.
Chain-texters disrespect the company they keep by dividing attention, much like someone who physically leaves company in a restaurant to venture outside for a smoke several times during a meal.
It also insensitively leaves everyone feeling like a person left out of a private conversation that is occurring off to the side.
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