The people a person hangs out with usually are the people he or she loves or is very fond of, but many people often overlook the most important thing about quality time with others – giving them absolute, undivided attention. For the majority of time spent with others, people are on their phones, resulting in a loss of respect, meaningful conversation, and lack of comfort that was once present in relationships.

The majority of people go on their phones to either plan get-togethers, to text, or to check social media or the latest news. While doing all of those things are fun and/or important, scrolling through all of that during the time a person is with people is not the time to do so; the people on the opposing side of the discussion will feel neglected, as if their company is not good enough for the person on his or her phone or that the person would rather be somewhere else.

Hurting friends and family due to one’s inattention within the conversation is never a good thing – it’s not worth losing loved ones over something that’s on a screen, something that can be viewed at any time.

Alongside family and friends, elders, coaches, colleagues, and people who have just been introduced to one another are some of the many people who, to receive their respect and gratitude, require a person’s full attention while speaking to them. If one wants to be successful and thrive in life, it is truly crucial for him or her to absolutely focus in on conversations, especially with these individuals. Full attention is required in order to prove one has good morals and truly cares about his or her endeavors along with what the other person has to say.

Scrolling on a phone is detrimental to relationships and endeavors; simply leaving phones in bags or turning them over so one can’t see the screen while with peers is an easy start, and, if they’re still too much of a distraction, leaving phones in another room gets one’s mind off them. Even facing phones downward or putting them a few feet away is a small change, and friends and family members will be pleasantly surprised with the attention they’re receiving.

By not having the distraction of the constant phone ringing, a person will see so much more around him or her, enhancing appreciation for the world and maybe even giving a new enriching perspective on it. All this is possible, as well as showing friends, family, and peers admiration and acceptance – something everyone deserves.

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This piece started as an Advanced Writing proposal essay. It has been edited for length.