In the heat of conversation, your body speaks as much as your words, if not more. A sincere smile, a hand stroking a lock of hair, etc. are all signals that forge a bond with others. Conversely, an evasive look or attention captivated by a cell phone screen can create an invisible wall between interlocutors.
Although most people are unaware of it, these behaviors reveal a deep part of your state of mind. Moreover, it is very difficult for someone to ignore these little things. In this article, discover the psychological significance of these gestures perceived as harmless that fill your social interactions.
Using your cell phone while talking
With recent technological advances, it has become commonplace, to the point of being banal. You have certainly experienced this situation at least once. Indeed, you are having a passionate discussion, and suddenly, your interlocutor’s gaze slides towards the luminous screen of his cell phone.
Tapping away on your smartphone during a conversation, of any kind, is a bit like putting up an invisible wall between you and the other person. The impact is direct, touching the very heart of the exchange and the strength of the relationship. So let’s be clear, it’s never perceived as a good sign!
However, there is a crucial nuance to be made here. That’s because glancing at your cell phone is not the same as actively immersing yourself in it. Making a call, writing an email, sending a message… these concrete actions can sometimes be part of an emergency situation.
However, if you were honest for a second, the simple act of looking at the screen, without a specific purpose, often reveals a distraction. A distraction that, by the way, could wait a few moments. Yet this small gesture, which may seem insignificant to you, can distance you from the person you are talking to.
Some explanations, according to psychology
Although there can be no positive explanation, using a cell phone during a conversation can nevertheless have several meanings. The most direct one? Blatant disinterest. Indeed, the attention captured by the smartphone signals a definite lack of enthusiasm for others.
However, sometimes it is not so much the message that is ignored, but the messenger himself. This is undoubtedly the worst-case scenario. Quite simply, because this behavior can reflect emotional distance. It can also indicate a detachment from the person in front of you.
As we said, it’s as if you’re putting up an invisible wall. In this case, your cell phone becomes a barrier to human connection. On the other hand, there is also this other interpretation, less obvious, certainly, but just as revealing. Namely, lack of self-control.
Thus, unable to resist the incessant call of notifications, the person concerned shows a difficulty in controlling his or her impulses. The urge to scroll, to check, then takes over, even at the risk of hurting the person talking to them. In short, those few seconds of inattention speak volumes.
In particular about your relationship with screens and often, unfortunately, about your relationship with others. Therefore, maintain a healthy relationship with your cell phone in order to maintain healthy relationships with those around you.
