Dear Abby: Device-obsessed Husband Takes Tablet Everywhere

[cereta]

DEAR ABBY: My husband is obsessed with his personal electronic devices and insists on using one most of the time. He gets angry if I ask him to stop even for a short time. But the worst part is, he routinely takes his tablet into the bathroom with him for extended periods. And no, he does not sanitize the tablet afterward -- or ever, for that matter.

Abby, he reads your column and I'm hoping you might comment on this unsafe and repulsive habit. Please help, because he won't listen to me. -- GROSSED OUT IN NEW MEXICO

DEAR GROSSED OUT: Because your husband gets angry when you ask him to put his electronics down, it appears he may have an obsession. Not only is what he's doing rude, but it isn't healthy for your marriage because communication is important between spouses. When he takes his tablet into the bathroom "for a long time," could he be viewing or texting things he wants to keep from you?

As to his hygiene habits, smartphones and tablets can be more unhygienic than toilet seats if they're used for "toilet texting." The user's hands should be washed afterward, and the device should be disinfected, too -- particularly if it will be in contact with the user's face.

Comments

[jadelennox]

I'm not convinced. It's entirely possible that the LW says "oh my god, Husband, don't take your tablet into the bathroom, that is absolutely disgusting," or "I can't believe you spend all day on that thing instead of watching the news with me. It will rot your brain!" Or any of the other endless series of anti-device baloney I've heard from people. It's also possible that the LW calmly says, "hey, would you mind cleaning the tablet between taking it into the toilet and putting it on the kitchen table?" and he bursts out in rage. I feel like there's not enough information in the letter to tell. I have encountered all of these types of people frequently, both the sensible and the non.

[xenacryst]

True, that. I'm more used to the mild obsession that cuts into the together time of meat space than the irrational anti-device stance, so that's what I assumed. But you're right that there's no good indication which direction this scenario swings.