My husband and I spent all day yesterday traveling from Geneva, Switzerland to Florida. To our surprise, customs and the ride between terminals went rapidly so we were left with a rather long transfer time in New York. We decided to go into a sit-down restaurant to get some non-airplane food to eat. It was an experience that made me wonder if my outlook is out-of-date.

Although someone did come over to see if we needed help ordering, he was not there to take our order. Instead, standing in front of each of us was an iPad and we were expected to order on them! When we ordered and wished to pay cash, we were promptly told that the restaurant took no cash!  Luckily we keep our credit cards for special needs. – This was a special need!

We then settled down to wait for our food. The only difficulty was that the two iPads in special holders made it impossible to see each other and have a conversation. Instead, we found ourselves staring at an iPad inviting us to surf the web.

Hmm. Is this a sign that I am not with it? Yes, I am older and part of a different generation from the younger ones who thrive on such eating spots. Not only do you not need to have a conversation, the system is also set up so each person can order and pay separately. – Yes, there was a separate place for each to swipe our cards.

At the risk of sounding out of date, I will say that I personally still love to sit across from someone I can see and with whom I can have a direct conversation. So be it! My age-esteem is alive. I will still have my dinner conversations while others share theirs with an iPad.