Straight From Strater

It is truly amazing to think about the distinct differences in public interactions in the past as well as in the present. With the newly created inventions such as cellphones, it is becoming more and more apparent how younger and younger generations are much more inward that outward, when it comes to interacting with others surrounding them. Conversations with strangers are no longer in existence, it is considered weird to start a general conversation of some sort, instead looking down at the floor at our cell phones.

It makes me a little self-conscience upon realizing that I do this on occasion. Specifically, one day in Shilling Hall, I was walking down the hallway on the fourth floor and I saw someone who I had not spoken too in a while. Although I was a little familiar with this person, I was tired at the time and I really did not want to have a conversation with anyone, so before we were close to the point of talking, I took out my phone to avoid the person. Although what I did during this instance was intentional, it led me to realize all of the other unintentional times when I have taken out my phone and used it during other social situations unintentionally. Most of the time, and every one of us has been guilty of doing this some time or another, I will just look at different social media websites when I am sitting in a room full of other people. Some of the time I become conscious of this, and, in order to better myself, I put my phone away and attempt to converse with others, attempting to do this because I usually realize another problem. Most of the time in a big social setting, many of the people around me are looking at their phones, or tablets, or laptops, not engaging in conversation either, ultimately leaving me with no one to converse with.

What can we do to better ourselves to take our focus off of our phones and began engaging with others around us. I have a few ideas to put forward.

First of all, become aware of the environment around you. To me, this means to survey and realize if people are acting more inward or outward, and going from there. If people are acting more inward, focusing more of their time on their personal electronic devices of any sort, try starting a conversation with a person, it may be a little awkward at first, but by doing so, it can make help another person break the viral wall around them and join in with others in the room.

If people are acting outward, focus on what you are doing. Are you being the one reserved in the classroom? If so, then take your attention off of the screen before you and begin engaging with those around you, helping yourself and creating and contributing to an environment where young Millennials are more socially inept then they are now.