What happened to idle chit chat over dinner?

Whether it's a smart phone, tablet, MP3 player, whatever it is, everywhere you go, you see people in their own little world jabbing away at tiny screens.

The thing is, there aren't even any buttons on gadgets anymore. If you ask for a mobile phone with buttons, the shop assistants look at you as if you have three heads and you've requested the moon on a stick.

Then they quietly guffaw and snigger under their breath as you plead with them. When I did upgrade my phone, I had to settle for some hybrid device, part buttons, part touch screen. Then the salesman tried to sell me a bluetooth kit. "No thanks," I replied. "But what happens when your phone rings and you're driving?" Hmmm let's think. "I don't answer it," I responded. "But what if it's important?" he asked. "Well, they'll leave a message or call back," I answered. "But, but..." By now he seemed quite fraught and was also making me feel like a bit of a freak.

But I didn't give in. I'm no addict. It seems that some folk really are though. When I was out to lunch recently with my parents and boyfriend we were chatting away as if we'd not seen each other for months. However the family on the table next to us were not quite so chatty. They ate their meals with a few clipped comments to each other and within minutes of finishing, for dessert each of them turned their attentions to their chosen slab of technology. Whether it was a phone or an iPad type thingy they all started tapping away totally absorbed and oblivious to the world around them.

Whatever happened to talking to one another and showing an interest? Technology has stuck a big old knife in the art of conversation and killed it. Dead.

And please don't get me started on headphones. You can have an entire conversation with someone only to find minutes later they are 'plugged into' a device and not really giving their full, if any, attention to you at all. Insulting just about covers it.

The worst case yet was when I was running one night. As I approached a figure up ahead I said: "Excuse me please." Nothing. "Excuse me please." Still nothing. So I turned up the volume a notch and bellowed: "Excuse me please." Still nothing. I squeezed past the young girl, also running. "Oh you scared me," she squealed, jumping aside, startled. Of course I did dear. You're running, in the dark, along an unlit road, with your headphones in. The music is loud enough so you can't hear me shouting. So would you hear someone creeping up behind you, ready to grab you and drag you into the bushes? I doubt it. Dangerous springs to mind followed closely by stupid. Is listening to music really worth putting your safety at risk? I don't think so.

Frankly, I can't wait to jet off on holiday and leave my phone switched off and not be in contact with old Blighty unless I want to be. Okay so I'm taking my kindle but that's a glorified book and is really about me being able to pack more shoes rather than lug bulky novels about.

One last thing

Is it just me? But what is wrong with people these days? Everything is always someone else's problem or someone else's fault. Everyone insists on being right all the time. Why can't people just hold their hands up and say: "Hey that was my fault, I'm sorry." Or: "No you're right, I was wrong. I apologise." Why do people insist on judging others? Are they really all so perfect themselves? I don't think so. It would be refreshing if some people could take responsibility and be upfront and honest a bit more often. Probably myself included. Rant over.

Read Lisa Williams first in your Weekend Shropshire Star