The Laptop plague ...

[dogtag]

Seems like a plague anyway. I visit my local library on a
regular basis and with each visit, I find most of the available
armchairs are occupied by someone, usually male, fiddling
with his laptop. Why the Hell can't he do his laptop fiddling
at his house, why does he have to clutter up my library ?
I've never visited a Starbucks, but I hear tell the place is also
full of laptop fiddlers. Again, why can't they do this where they
live ? Can these people not leave home without it ? These
laptops along with I Pads are having a detrimental affect on the
art of conversation, and if it continues like this as it appears
it will, then future generations will be reduced to grunting.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...-STICKERS.html

If I could "High Five" these pranksters, I would.

[Roadkingtrax]

Maybe you should stay home, as you appear ill-equipped to go out into society.

[sid]

The thing with smart phones is even worse. Every time I go into a waiting room of any kind I am the only one there without a smart phone. Most of the people seem to be playing games while a few are engaged in conversation which annoy everyone else. It used to be that you could sit quietly and read a magazine.

[Sandpebble]

The thing with smart phones is even worse. Every time I go into a waiting room of any kind I am the only one there without a smart phone. Most of the people seem to be playing games while a few are engaged in conversation which annoy everyone else. It used to be that you could sit quietly and read a magazine.

Sid is quite right on this ...

One of the first questions we ask new hires to our small business is .... " Can you go two hours without playing with a phone ? "

Though all say yes very few can actually do it.

And I'm sick to death of listening in on other peoples phone conversations ....

and it's bad enough they answer but why does someone call their Mother at 9 a.m. for a chat when they know she's at work ?

[Marty T.]

Because these days most people are NOT at work.

[dogtag]

Because these days most people are NOT at work.

Actually, most people are it seems.
Thanks to Trump we have very low unemployment.

[Roadkingtrax]

Actually, most people are it seems.
Thanks to Trump we have very low unemployment.

No.

[PWC]

They go to the library for the same reason they go to Starbucks....free WiFi. If they stayed home in the basement they would have to have a job to pay for the home connection.

[JB White]

People can't walk down the street without having their attention focused a foot from their face and buds in their ears. Why would a library, a coffee shop, or a book store be any different? At least be thankful they aren't stumbling blindly in front of your car. One less person that won't be suing you...today.

Truth is they annoy the hell out of me too but they exist and breed.

[rayg]

They go to the library for the same reason they go to Starbucks....free WiFi. If they stayed home in the basement they would have to have a job to pay for the home connection.

Many people use those places because they don't have WiFi connections on their computers while traveling. Also, I've had to go there until my computer connections were completed when going to my seasonal condo in Fl..

[JB White]

Many people use those places because they don't have WiFi connections on their computers while traveling.

Well, that's an angle I often overlook. Thanks.
That having been said I do know people who feel those are places to get out to and socialize. Obviously their definition of socializing conflicts with my own interpretation of the term, but....
I usually speak to people. Not text message them from the next seat over. Things have certainly changed.

[dryheat]

I'm going to Starbucks to play on my laptop. People will think I'm cool. Oh, there's another guy at Starbucks playing on his laptop. I'll watch play on your laptop if you watch me.

[togor]

DT, make it a Macbook. If you take a regular PC laptop to the coffee shop, people will think you're working on your Manifesto.