sam17•1mo ago

Talking to my younger cousin made me think twice about something

My 19-year-old cousin came over last week and saw me scrolling on my phone during dinner. She told me it was rude and that older people always do that now. I got defensive at first but then I realized she was right. When I was her age, you never had a phone out at the table. Now I do it without even thinking. It hit me that the norm shifted so slowly I didn't notice I became the one breaking the old rule. She called me out gently but it stung because she was correct. Has anyone else had a younger person call them out on something you thought was totally normal?

3 comments

3 Comments

wadecooper1mo ago

But do you actually agree with her or just feel bad about being caught?

king.stella1mo ago

Last time I checked, feeling guilty about getting caught usually means you know you were wrong. Nobody sits there and feels bad just because someone called them out on something they actually believe is fine. If you really think it's no big deal, you'd just shrug it off and move on instead of feeling that knot in your stomach.

xenagarcia1mo ago

Yeah @wadecooper, I was honestly in the same boat... I used to think it was no big deal, just checking a message real quick. But she had a point - it's not just about the action, it's about showing the person you're with that they matter more than whatever's on the screen. Now I try to leave my phone in my pocket or on the counter when I'm eating with someone, even if it's just my cousin or a friend grabbing coffee.