Respect is the key
It’s important to be respectful with your request, but don’t be afraid to get a bit creative, too. If you’re out with a group of friends, try asking your pals to place their phones in their bags for the night, or, somewhere out of sight so that you have each other’s undivided attention.
You can say something like, “I’ve got a group chat that’s blowing up right now, but I’d rather talk to you without getting distracted. Can we put our phones away in our bags?”
Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, told Haupt that she once heard about a group of girl pals that pushed their phones to the center of the table during dinner to prevent phubbing. The first person to reach for their device had to pay for the entire meal.
While this approach is intended to be lighthearted, the request might feel uncomfortable for some. In that case, taking a more direct approach is totally okay. As Twenge suggested, you could say something like, “Hey, I know we’ve all got things happening on our phones, but I really want to talk to you right now.” This offers a polite and respectful way to ask for your friends’ full attention, without making them feel like they’re being scolded or called out.
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