Dear Ellie:

We are just coming out of COVID and beginning to go to dinner and events with friends. I am so thrilled to see people, but yet on our first outing I ran into the same problems I have with my friends being on their cell phone when we are together. Maybe I am selfish, but I want their attention and am tired of being runner-up to a cell phone. I hear that they have to talk with their kids, or spouse, and then I hear I am getting a tweet or trending. I don’t want to be a runner-up, I want their full attention to see how they are doing, not stare at the back of their hand and phone.

- Always the runner-up and not the Queen

Dear Runner-Up:

This is a concern of many, but they don’t speak up, thank you for doing so. Your friends are being RUDE. You asked for dinner, so an hour or so of their time, you didn’t ask for a social media embargo. You need to make your point, and be clear; no phones at the dinner table. Certainly, they can respect this for the time you are face to face, and they can catch up with their family after dinner. If they cannot, ask them why? Us older folks managed to grow up and raise kids without a social media check in, so can they. It is a matter of making a good example and reflecting consisting values. Social Media has caused extraordinary isolation, help your friends come out and begin quality face to face time.

- Ellie

Dear readers, this is a growing problem. We need to connect with people and stop isolating ourselves with over usage of social media. Social media cannot hug you, console you during a hard time, or bring you dinner after surgery. So how about we make better decisions and have more face to face time, and leave the cell phone in the car.

Let me know if you too are having similar issues, and let's work together on a fix.

Sincerely, Ellie

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