There was a time—not too long ago—when a simple greeting meant something.
A smile at the entrance of the gym, a “thank you” or “goodnight” to the receptionist wasn’t just good manners; it was a small act of connection, a subtle but powerful way of acknowledging: I see you. You matter.
But today? That smile is met with silence. A nod, if you’re lucky. Most of the time, it’s ignored—not because people are rude, but because they’re plugged in. Literally.
With earbuds in and eyes down on screens, many are no longer present.
The voice in their ears—the podcast, the playlist, the remote call—has replaced the voice in front of them.
This disconnect is deeper than just technology use. Studies have shown a steady decline in face-to-face communication, even among close friends and family.
A 2023 Pew Research study revealed that over 60% of adults under 35 now preferto message instead of talk.. even when the person is right there. Add to that the workplace shift where remote concerns are prioritized over those physically present, and we’re facing a troubling cultural change: proximity no longer equals priority.
Take the story at a customer service counter. A man, after patiently waiting in line, finally spoke out: “Ms., there are 6 of us here. We traveled. We waited. That caller is at home. What will you feel if you were in our shoes?”
It wasn’t an outburst—it was a plea. A reminder.
Humans are wired for face-to-face interaction. Neuroscience proves this: mirror neurons fire when we’re in the presence of another human being. These neurons foster empathy, trust, and real connection. You can’t replicate that with a message or even a video call.
In the past, people would walk miles just to meet someone—to hold a conversation, to feel presence. We used to chase connection. Now, many avoid it. We’ve become “connected” but not truly in touch.
This is not just about etiquette—it’s about preserving our humanity.
So the next time someone greets you at the gym,—look up. Smile. Say something. When you’re in line and someone is physically present to help you, acknowledge them. Because if we stop valuing the person in front of us, we risk losing what makes us human.
Next article: "Digitally Perfect, Emotionally Disconnected: Are We Filtering Ourselves Out of Humanity?" (July 18)
Thanks to #CDD20 @Pixabay for the photo