A public restroom made me question how much social media has changed our behavior.
Yesterday I witnessed something that left me thinking long after I walked away.
I was waiting in line for the only stall in a very small men's restroom. There were several people waiting. Two young guys (maybe around 20) had apparently just been shopping. One was trying on T-shirts while admiring himself in the mirror, while the other held the hangers.
When the stall became available, instead of using it quickly, the guy went inside to continue trying on shirts. He repeatedly opened the door so his friend could take photos of him, and they stood there reviewing the pictures together while the rest of us waited.
I eventually gave up and left.
What struck me wasn't just that they were being inconsiderate. It was that they seemed completely unaware that anyone else mattered in that moment. Their attention appeared to be entirely on creating the perfect photo.
It made me wonder whether social media has subtly changed how some people experience public spaces. Have we become so accustomed to documenting ourselves and seeking validation online that an imagined audience can take priority over the real people standing a few feet away?
Or is this simply ordinary self-centered behavior that has always existed, with smartphones and social media just providing a new outlet?
I'm genuinely curious what others think. Have you noticed similar situations where it seemed like an online audience took priority over the people physically present? If so, do you think this is a consequence of social media, or just ordinary inconsiderate behavior wearing a new face?