I often wonder how my generation and the ones after will primarily communicate in the future. I also wonder what behaviors will become commonplace because of changing technology.

Lately, it’s become a game of mine to watch how other people are interacting with one another at restaurants. All too often, I see a group of people sitting at a table, feverishly thumbing away at their smart phones and completely ignoring those around them. It seems that everyone would rather be talking to someone else rather than the person sitting right in front of them.

I once had an argument with my husband while we were out to dinner because he was playing on his iPhone while I was sitting there doing nothing. I confronted him, saying it was rude and that he should actually be talking with me rather than playing on his phone. But I must confess, I’ve done it to him and other friends, and my friends have done it to me. I once sat with a  group of friends and laughed silently as I watched my three other companions all typing away at their phones. At times when I’ve seen this, I’ve even pulled mine out, quipping, “I suppose I should just join in!” when I’ve felt left out.

This type of behavior has become commonplace, particularly among my generation, the 30-somethings and my younger sister’s teen generation. It’s simply just not seen as rude to whip out your phone and answer a text while simultaneously checking your Facebook, Twitter and chatting with your lunch date.

Although we may not think of it this way at the time, the signal we are giving off to our companion is that everything else is more important than that person at that moment. Or else you are giving the impression that the person you are with is somehow less entertaining than the people who aren’t there. And it shouldn’t be that way. If you are out physically spending time with someone, there’s no reason to be digitally entertaining someone else.

Certainly, if it’s just a quick reply, a genuine emergency, or something work-related, it’s harmless to answer a text or e-mail. But if it’s simply a matter of holding a digital conversation with someone else when your mind should be devoted to the person you are with, it’s just plain rude.

I am 100 percent guilty of being out to lunch with someone and spending a ridiculous amount of time with them texting, checking my Facebook or Twitter. And when I really analyze that, I’m ashamed of myself.

Usually, when I hear my text message alert chime or hear the ding of a waiting e-mail from my iPhone, I’ll assess the situation. Is the person I’m with also checking his or her phone? Am I expecting an answer to a question I need? Is the person texting me someone who I know will need my immediate attention (to which I might argue that he or she should just call me… rarely is there an immediate answer needed for a text, or you wouldn’t text).

But realistically, I know I should not be basing whether I answer a text on if the other person is doing it. After all, that’s only continuing the behavior. I know I need to be the example and do what I think is the polite thing to do.

I’m going to try to keep these things in mind this week when I’m out with people.