First published through The Paris News on July 10, 2017. The article can be found on their website at http://theparisnews.com/opinion/article_1eb35f46-658a-11e7-b26d-93f1ab8ae4dd.html

I was in Walmart the other day talking to someone while looking around and noticed all of the zombies walking, looking down and nearly running into the merchandise. It concerns me about seeing so many people mindlessly wandering around, unaware of their surroundings. Where did the community go?

Don’t get me wrong, I use my phone on a daily basis. But, I strive to not pull it out while talking with friends. It’s rude to pull out your phone while talking to others because it tells them you’re not interested in the conversation.

Every time I’m in a conversation with anyone, I try to keep my phone away, even if I’m talking with someone about whether the earth is flat or round and I couldn’t be less interested. It’s flat out rude to pull a phone out and start playing a game or messaging someone else.

Instant gratification may have something to do with how we use our phones, because we think that when we have something to say, we need to have it said immediately. Before fast food, when someone wanted something to eat, they either had to wait until dinner time or go in the kitchen and cook. Now, with McDonald’s, Taco Bell or any other fast food place, we can go and order something to eat and have it done within a matter of minutes. It may be the same with communicating and socializing.

When so many people were walking around unaware of the others around them in Walmart the other day, I thought about how people need social interaction.

Scientist Matthew Lieberman said to Scientific American expressing social pain may not be just a metaphor.

“…the existence of social pain is a sign that evolution has treated social connection like a necessity, not a luxury,” said Lieberman.

I classify myself, as many others do, an introvert. I need my alone time to relax and recharge from a day spent around a large group of people. It’s not that I prefer to be alone, but sometimes I just need to escape from people. If I’ve been surrounded by a lot of people for more than three hours, I become tired, as if I’ve worked hard.

However, Psychology Today said socializing is a part of life. Susan Cain with the publication said mingling with others can boost your happiness, which includes us introverts.

“Sure, socializing makes us feel good. Sometimes it’s worth it to push ourselves. We’re all social animals; on some level, love really is all you need,” said Cain.

However, an introvert can over socialize and get bogged down. But, even an introvert still needs to socialize — in person, not just through a phone.