self-reply: this whole thread makes me wonder: what did people actually do like 15-20 years ago, when there were no cellphones to distract them? Have interesting conversations instead? I'm pretty sure children (well, I was) were playing around (if the particular place allowed so) or else maybe playing boardgames/cards whatever on the table. Not sure what the grown ups did though.
I spent most of my time playing with other kids around my block in the park, and just hanging out in the arcades, shooting pool, bowling, playing video games together, watching movies, or just wandering around the streets. When I needed to contact someone, I'd actually walk to his/her house and ring their bell
