Talk to your friends

I love visiting Barnyard Theatres.

I love the vibe, the music and some of the performers are quite soft on the eye. Last week, I went to two shows and although I wasn’t feeling well, I couldn’t help but get swept up in the golden oldies of song and dance. The performances are well-choreographed and executed.

What I have noticed, however, is the visitors who arrive a few minutes early. Watching people’s behaviour is one of my favourite pastimes. They usually arrive in a group, chatting excitedly while looking for their table. They have already ordered drinks and some even set up the table in anticipation of the fun they are going to have. As soon as they have organised their seating arrangements, they sit, get comfortable and the next thing, they pull out their cellphones.

For the next few minutes, while waiting for the show to start, each person is so engrossed in whatever is happening on that cellphone that they don’t even acknowledge the person sitting next to them. At one particular table, the group settled down and immediately pulled out their cellphones, except for one person (it looked like it was his very first visit to the Barnyard) who was interested in everybody around him, but his friends were completely ‘absent’ and ignored him until the show started.

He looked a little perplexed and almost hurt by their actions. This made me sad because what could have been an enjoyable evening out with his friends turned out with him being ‘the odd one out’ because he decided to rather absorb his surroundings and not what was on his phone.

This made me realise that cellphones have become better companions than friends. Social media is part of my life (work) but there is just no comparison between talking to your friends face-to-face and what they are up to on Facebook.

One day, when your friends are no longer on earth, all you will have left is a Facebook message and no real memories.

Until next week – talk to each other – you may discover that person is really nice.

Ciao