Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Tech is supposed to connect us. Until it disconnects us.

Less phone-contact, more eye-contact!

I go to Peet’s Coffee every day.

I love Peet’s. I’m a regular there. The baristas (Linda and Jeffrey) know my name and order.

So when they asked me to sign up for the Peet’s mobile app, with which I could check in and earn points on my orders, I did.

Here’s the thing. I’ve since deleted it.

Why?

Because I found myself too focused on getting my phone out and opening up the app at the register, scanning it, then putting my phone back in my pocket and moving along to pick up my order.

I was no longer making eye contact with these amazing baristas. I was distracted by my phone, I was fiddling around with opening the app and totally not in the present moment, and I was no longer having our morning banter.

It became more of a transaction, less of a connection.

I lost that genuine human interaction that’s so amazing about coffee shops.

Yes, tech can make life easier…

Sure, a lot of people might be fine grabbing their coffee and leaving as quickly as possible. I don’t blame people for using an app to earn their free cup…