? You never turn your phone off
? You obsessively check for texts, missed calls and emails
? You always take your phone to the bathroom with you
? You never let the battery run out
It's funny to think that around 20 years ago the only people with mobile phones would be businesspeople carrying their large, plastic 'bricks'.
Of course, these days, mobile phones are everywhere. A UN study from this year said mobile phone subscriptions would outnumber people across the world by the end of 2014.
And when there are more phones than people in the world, maybe it's time to ask who really is in charge? Are you in control of your phone, or does your phone control you?
So, what happened with my university friend? When I arrived a few minutes late he just laughed and said: "You haven't changed at all – still always late!" And we had a great afternoon catching up, full of jokes and stories, with no interruptions and no nagging desire to check my phone.
Not having it with me felt strangely liberating. Maybe I'll leave it at home on purpose next time.
Quiz 測驗 1. How did the author feel when he realised he had left his mobile phone at home?
He had a sinking feeling.
2. What proportion of British people are afraid of being out of mobile phone contact, according to the study?
Two-thirds of British people.
3. Which word was used to describe old mobile phones?
'Bricks'
4. Who is more likely to be 'nomophobic'? An 18-year old girl or an 18-year-old boy?
An 18-year-old girl.
5. Did the author regret not having his phone after meeting his friend?
No, he felt it was 'strangely liberating'.
Glossary 词汇表 delayed被延誤了 that sinking feeling下沉的感覺、心神不定 anxious焦急的 on edge緊張不安的 brick大哥大（手機） subscription手機註冊的用戶 outnumber在數量上超過 to catch up了解近況、見面、敘舊 interruption打斷、干擾 nagging desire揮之不去的慾望 liberating感到釋放的感覺
