Will unplugging be a trend in 2015?

There’s a Starbucks less than a mile from my house. To say I visit it frequently is an understatement. The baristas know me and my drinks by name. It’s sad, really.

I usually visit this Starbucks during the morning rush, when the line can extend out the door.

And the people in that line are often on their phones. In fact, I’d say 90 percent of them are on their phones. I’d also say, given the demographics of the neighborhood (this Starbucks is next to a school), that most of these folks are 40 or older.

Strangely enough, I’m usually the one in 10 people who is not on his phone. I’m on it so much during the day I’ve learned to take breaks. Standing in line is one of my breaks.

I chatted with a gentleman the other day about this habit of being on the phone while in line, and he felt the same as I do: If people would look up, they might discover an interesting person with which to talk. I did.

My local Starbucks certainly isn’t the only place this happens. People stare at their phones while on the bus, on the train, in the grocery store, at the movies. It’s no revelation people are hardwired to their phones these days.