Texting at Parties

[MissBrit]

If you (general you) are at a party with a group of people and witness Person A text messaging Person B to talk about Person C while all three are in the same room. Is that rude? A friend of mine said she did this with her bff at a party they attended and it really rubbed me the wrong way especially if it was a smaller party where people were bound to notice. It feels the same as people whispering in each others ears in front of a third party. Then again, I feel that texting someone, especially continuously, at a party is pretty rude. It is especially rude if the party is a small one. I was at a party this past weekend where two of the four of us were texting someone for a good 15 minutes and then they told each other what each text said. The host and I just started our own conversation as it was clear we were not part of theirs. Is it rude to host a party and ask your guests to keep their cell phone usage to a minimum? What say you e-hellions?

[Dandy Andy's Daddy's Love]

It is rude to text conversationally at a party, period. If you need to text someone for logistical purposes, for example, your kid's babysitter, you can step out for a moment to do so. However, to actually have a conversation over the phone (and texting is still over the phone) with someone while ignoring the other party guests is rude. I'd say these people were twice as rude because they were gossiping. Both of them get cast into E-hell.

[hannahmollysmom]

I agree this is very rude! I find that these days, texting is getting out of control. Nothing bothers me more then when I am talking to someone face to face, and they receive a text and feel the need to text right back and end the conversation mid sentence. I can understand if the message is an emergency, but most often it is not. I have gotten to the point that I just walk away as obviously the text is more important than me.  Sorry for the rant, but texting is a sore subject for me.

[Allyson]

I think it depends on the kind of party. If it's a small get-together, a sit-down sort of event, or a movie night, I would say it's definitely rude, the same way whipping out your phone and talking on it would be (for anything other than a functional message). But if it's more of a house party, with lots of guests and people moving from room to room, a casual atmosphere...not such a big deal. At least, not amongst my social set (nerdy 20-somethings) anyway!

Texting someone in the same room seems like it's a little odd, like they might be talking about someone else, or something. I mean..my friends and I will do that to be funny, when a few of us are hanging out casually, but it'll stop at one message and everyone generally will know what it says.

[rockchalk]

I think it depends on the group of friends. My friends and I always text at parties/get-togethers, and have no problems if someone else is texting.

Having a conversation about someone, essentially as you said, talking about them behind their backs, is not only rude, but catty and immature. Especially if they are doing it and making others around aware that they are doing it.

[familyfun]

If it's a large party where it can be difficult to hear each other, a quick text might be ok, but otherwise, just talk to the person since there right there.  I agree at a smaller, quieter gathering it could be seen as talking about others and that would be rude.