People can tell when you’re physically there and mentally scrolling.

Presence leaks. The half-second delay before you answer, the eyes flicking down, the questions you do not ask because you missed the answer, all read clearly to the person in front of you. They may say nothing and they still register it, and over time it tells them where they rank. Being in the room is not the same as being with someone.

Pick one conversation a day this week and put the phone somewhere you cannot see it: dinner, the walk home, ten minutes with whoever is around. Ask one follow-up question to prove to yourself you were listening. People notice that too.