Love in the time of smartphones

hat modern- day scene — everyone around the dinner table ( remember, how the dinner table, once upon a time, used to be the nucleus of “family bonding”?) on their smartphones, Whatsapping away or texting away or checking Facebook statuses even as the salt is being passed — is now a reality. We all go ‘ tsk, tsk’ and wonder what’s happening to the world and all that — but the tech trend continues. Unabated. Now, moving away from the dinner table and discussions on socially- inept kids ( because they are constantly on their mobiles), have you ever considered how smartphones are driving a wedge between the man: woman relationship? My friend was telling me the other day how she and her husband spent an entire weekend brunch session — that had been carefully planned so they could spend “quality time” together — hunched over their respective phones. The only times they disconnected from their gadgets were when food was being served ( there too, a few of the ‘ food presentations’ found their way onto Instagram and Facebook via smartphones). Are we treading on a ‘ dangerous liaison’- type territory? Read our cover feature and decide for yourself.

And then, yet another dinner table engagement, only this time it’s not wondering whether it’s time to get disengaged from your smartphone; it’s about whether you are having dinner on time. Research has proved that an early dinner ( 7pm is a good time to stick to) is good for health. But just how feasible is it? We find out. Hollywood takes stock of director Oliver Stone, whose new film on Edward Snowden is being eagerly awaited. Travel explores the fairytale setting at the Orlando Disney World. Kitchen Classics serves up a trayful of hors d’oeuvres so the upcoming party season can be sorted for you in style. All this and much more. Enjoy reading wknd. and have a great weekend.

RelationSHIPS- Wise, are We Treading on a ‘ dangerous liaison’- Type TERRITORY?