I came across the word ‘Phubbing’ several months ago and had wanted to write about it but it kinda got lost in my pile of ideas lined up to be written about. Today is the day it’s getting out. Amen!
So, what is Phubbing?
Phubbing’ can simply be described as PHone snUBBING.
You are Phubbing when someone is talking to you and your eyes are glued to your phone.
Imagine your wife talking to you about how a woman in the market had insulted her that day and you didn’t even look at her for a second.
Imagine your best friend telling you about her unexpected break up with her fiancé and all you could do that moment was to keep pressing your phone.
Imagine your child reporting his/her younger sister or brother to you and you just keep nodding your head while you are busy trying to finish up a session of game on your phone and then you just dismiss the accusations he/she just made with a “He’s your brother now”.
Does that sound like you?
When was the last time you went to lunch or dinner with your spouse and didn’t operate your phone?
Many people are guilty of Phubbing (I see a lot of examples on a constant basis) and that probably includes you reading this write up.
Technology is good. However, Phubbing is one fruit of technology that is ruining our relationships.
Before the advent of mobile technological devices, you had no choice but to look your friends in the eye while they bore their minds to you.
Imagine for few seconds what the fate of relationships will be in the next few years if we continue at this rate of neglect of intricate details that make a healthy relationship. . .
I see couples who wouldn’t talk to each other at all. I see face-to-face communication nonexistent. I see people communicating only via social media. I see spouses getting to know about what’s going on in their partners’ lives only on the internet. . .
Okay. Snap out of the journey to the future. . .
It is imperative that we do something about this terrible habit. And it has to be now.
We are turning from being the relational beings that God had made us to be to virtual beings. And this is affecting many people’s relationship with God too. Instead of spending time with God, they do e-talk with Him by waiting on others to speak to and hear from Him on their behalf.
First you have to identify yourself as a ‘phubber’ and the negative effects your actions are having on your relationships.
Then you have to make conscious efforts to get yourself delivered from this bad habit. Set practical rules like phones being prohibited at the dinning table and agreeing with your partner to be committed to reminding each other to set the gadgets aside when you’re talking with each other.
And yes, remember to pray that God will help you invest in your relationships so that they can succeed and deliver you from Phubbing.
Remember to enlighten your friends and spouses who are guilty culprits too.
I wish you a phubb free relationship henceforth!
~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016
