Oldshoolguy;1293349 wrote: My gripe/question is not about talking on the phone. It is about playing games on the phone while with another person, spouse, etc., while out for a fun evening. Last night the wife and I went out for dinner and a concert. While waiting for our food to arrive I walked up to check on our order. When I got back the wife is playing Solitaire. (She just got a new iPhone and found out she can play Solitaire.) She says, "Well you got up so I started playing." When the food was ready she stopped and we ate. Then, we went to a concert at a local venue. During the first acoustic act I look over and she is playing Solitaire again. I asked her if she was bored and she said no. After about 10 minutes I ask her if she could at least turn off the sound effects on the game and she does, but continues to play. I then ask her nicely to stop playing and pay attention to the band. She finally lays down the phone and I thank her for doing so. A little while later I come back with our drinks and she is back at it. I joke with her that Solitaire, by virtue of the name, is supposed to be played when you are alone, bored, and have nothing else to do. She says she can enjoy the show and play solitaire too. She keeps on playing. I reach over a couple times and touch the screen and mess up her cards just to get her attention. We both laugh or smile, but she does not stop playing, even after I repeatedly ask her to.
After awhile I just take my drink and walk out to the stage area and leave her to play solitaire alone. As the show is winding down, I go back to our table and get my coat and tell her we are leaving. We go out to the car and don't talk the whole way home. This morning we "discuss" the matter. She thinks I am looking at it as a "you weren't paying enough attention to me" issue. I see it as rude and childish that she chose playing solitaire over enjoying a concert, even when she knew it was bothering me. So, who is right here?
You are not alone by far.
I hate mobile phones with a passion but my girlfriends seem to have an urge to pick them up and check for messages every minute of the day.
I have a close friend who Is addicted to the games on his phone. Very often I am talking to him while he Is oblivious and carries on playing. My answer Is to just walk away. Then they ask where you are going. When I have their un-divided attention again, I will return.
You could try that with your wife. She will I hope see the amount of times you say nothing but walk away from her and realise how rude she Is being.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. R.L. Binyon
It certainly isn't worth having a major row about it I'm sure. As you say Kathy - a kid with a new toy. I think we've all been there, I certainly have both as the 'kid' and as the 'victim' 
Try to be patient with the 'kid' OSG. If it takes longer than you'd hoped, just get one for yourself and you start playing solitaire when she wants your attention, or go and read the paper and get absorbed in it so you don't notice that she is talking to you. :sneaky: 
What's sauce for the goose and all that !
