I skimmed a lot of the comments. I just wanted to say that I have noticed with my own kids the difference the last years are with texting, Ipads, etc.
My son's kids are trying to get his attention, he's texting or looking something up (and no, it's not anything important). I do believe that as much as everyone is saying that face to face is still here and what's so wrong with looking at the phone, Facebook, Ipad etc while at dinner, I do see the difference.
Yes there are emergencies and you have to be on that phone while checking out at the register but having worked for awhile at that register, I can tell you that I never once heard anything other that things like...well, so and so is doing this and I want to do this, and you know what Judy said......Yesterday I was at the pharmacy in the hospital. Big sign with the red line, no cell phones and guess what? Two people on their cell phones right in front of the sign. The one lady said, I'm bored, I'm going to call xxx to see what she's doing. Emergency? nope. (I wasn't snooping, you can overhear).
I just think the OP was noticing just how much/many people have the technology tied to them and not necessarily interacting with what's going on at their table. People can't even get off their cell phone at the gas station even though there's a sign that says you can blow the place up.
Anyway, that's just my take on it.