So I just finished the drive to my mom’s place, and I come in and everyone’s sitting in silence watching some reality show on the TV. Full volume. Not a “TV-on-in-the-background” sort of thing, they’re all just sitting there staring at the TV. So I say hi, (almost no one replies), grab a laptop from my bag, plop down and start working on mod duties. I noticed that my sister had abandoned the TV as well in favor of her iPad.
Almost immediately, my mother goes “hey, put that away and watch the movie.” It’s halfway finished, and whatever it is, it’s seemingly formulaic. So I ignore her and continue to work. She immediately continues, “you need to put that away and spend time with us.” Ignored, again. Then, “no devices when we’re spending time together.” To which I answer “maybe we should turn off the TV then?” No comment. Then I’m met with “if you’re going to be antisocial, go in the other room.” So I left.
It’s interesting how people’s concept of antisocialism is based on targeting someone else who’s exhibiting the behavior, instead of the actual meaning of the word. If we separate the word into the two root words, “anti” and “social”, we find the definition, which is "not sociable; not wanting the company of others". A definition that is perhaps epitomized by someone sending someone else into a closed room so as to avoid interaction with them.
Topic: Family Time (Read 430 times)