My dear husband complains about co-workers who fiddle with their devices during meetings. I told him about a book I read, where the author (seemed smart and capable) said that this is 'self-comforting behavior.' Feeling threatened by the meeting (who screwed up? how do we cope?) they turn to their toys, which are under their control.

Makes sense to me. Before phones, people drank coffee, coughed, fidgeted, daydreamed or drank water to defuse the same tension.

The DH is a formidable man. I think the juniors are intimidated by him, and without thinking much about it, they turn to their toys, which the DH interprets as contempt, which shows up in his demeanor, which further intimidates the juniors...

It's a vicious cycle. I suggested he tell them that the meeting needs their training and insights to solve a problem for the client, and that he wants their complete attention with all phones, blackberries, etc turned off.

He's thinking it over.


Concerts are a different story. I agree with whoever pointed out how irritating myriad flashing lights are in a concert setting. There's no reason for that.