There Were Three on a Bench …

Spotted at Bradford-upon- Avon, where we were saying goodbye to Becky (Queen of Squares) who had been a brilliant host to Anabel (Glasgow Gallivanter) and me when we stayed with her last Autumn. Here is a bench, providing space for three young people to do what they do best. Scrolling.

For Jude of Travel Words’ Challenge: Bench

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

58 thoughts on “There Were Three on a Bench …”

  3. I don’t agree with Jo or Bushboy – I don’t think it’s sad at all! If I’m waiting for a train or bus I get my phone out and read something too – when I’m alone, that is, and these three are sitting far enough apart to make me think they don’t know each other. There’s a picture does the rounds occasionally when people complain about the young and their phones. It’s a train carriage full of men with their newspapers held up in front of their faces! Nothing changes.

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    1. I suppose I’m guilty of thinking that reading a book is in some way ‘better’. My own phone-scrolling when I’m stuck at a bus stop without a book tends to be the Guardian, so I suppose that makes me one of the men in the train carriage!

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      1. I listen to audio books when on the train. If there is too much distraction (aka: school kids) I might do something mindless on the phone. I don’t miss the times when I was just sitting in the train and being bored. And worse: talking to strangers. I remember a time when totally unsolicited a woman kept commenting on the lipstick I was wearing being the wrong colour for me. I didn’t want to be rude back and didn’t know what to say. I was just glad when my stop came.

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      4. It’s a northern thing as well as a Glasgow thing too. But doesn’t often descend to personal comment of the downright rude variety. Compliments are acceptable!

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    2. I totally agree. As for striking up conversations I shall never forget when I used to commute by bus from work to Sheffield railway station, which passed a hospital I would ALWAYS get someone who wanted to tell me their (often very personal) reason for visiting the hospital. I must have one of those faces! But I could not read on a bus, I get very travel sick.

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      1. Oh poor you! I get travel sick too, but a short bus journey I can manage, and train journeys are OK. People who like to chat to strangers is a grou which includes my husband. I generally hide!

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  7. It’s a sign of our times but I don’t have a problem with it if all three are alone, as I’d be doing the same! Checking blog comments, checking the news or weather forecast, looking at friends’ photos on Instagram or maybe messaging with Chris 🙂 All valid ways to pass the time imho!

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    1. Of course it’s valid. I don’t do it much, as I’m too mean to use data unless it’s free. And I generally have a book I’m dying to get on with. And typing on a phone is a pain. So books win every time!

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  9. It’s a great shot and I tend to agree with Anabel that they are sitting so far apart they probably are strangers. I often look at my phone to check on the blogs or email when I am alone. And I also carry a book if I know I am going to be waiting around for a while. I guess the sad thing about this photo is that people don’t tend to start up a conversation with strangers any more. But then that can be creepy too.

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