Internet and technology use in Europe may be considerably less than the U.S. because speaking is preferred to texting.
Paris, London, Windsor Talk Over Technology
On a several week trip I found out that Paris, London, Windsor talk over technology and don’t like the use of phones outside the home.
Surprisingly, in 2010 Europeans are less focused on cell phones than Americans.
The question is whether the U.S. has more Internet and WiFi access to accommodate our need to talk online vs. in-person?
Or, do we use technology to handle relationships with smart phones and computers because it’s easier?
Conversation is King
Conversation is king everywhere I went in London, Paris, and Windsor in November 2010. Texting and smart phones are around and used, but talking, books and newspapers were more prevalent.
Phone use inside any business, restaurant, outdoor cafe — even texting or reading — was discouraged and not allowed.
Finding free WiFi was difficult. Internet use at hotels was very expensive, and slow.
Most Europeans Read Newspapers
As a journalist who has seen newspapers and book stores close, it was encouraging to know that there are people reading voraciously–somewhere and not online. Cell phones were shared and not used everywhere as they are in the U.S.
Balanced reporting exists and is respected on TV, radio and in print where intelligent discussions, not rants or attacks, are the norm.
No Cell Phones Allowed
In restaurants in London at every table people were having conversations. People in Paris talked to each other over coffee. No electronic devices, and no cell phones were allowed.
But this is no surprise for an historic city where a 400-year old candlestick store remains in business.
Not one laptop, iPad, or mini was being used by anyone anywhere except in offices or homes. Phones are not a 24-7 habit as in the U.S. where we need and use them everywhere WiFi, broadband or Internet is available.
Cell Phone Compulsion Not Universal
Digital addiction is not universal in Paris, or in London. But it’s absolutely growing in Windsor.
I didn’t see people glued to their phones — anywhere until I got to Windsor, England, and waited for the train.
There were people using iPhones to track trains, call friends, sharing pictures and videos or texting on flip cell phones.
No cells on the Paris Metro, or London Tube, people had books, notebooks and pens, and read newspapers. Cell phones and screens were shared by friends or couples vs. an individual cell phone for each person.
It was common for a group of teenagers or adults to look at phone screens together. Odd when in the U.S., individual cell phones are a necessity for tweens and tiny kiddos.
Starbucks, Yes; WiFi, No
No WiFi in all Starbucks or cafes or restaurants in Paris proper or London or Windsor. Big surprise to me. Not to those reading books or talking to people around me. Paid Internet, sure. Not free. My French was poor, but no amount of translation could land me digital connections.
McDonald’s on Champs Elysees had a McCafe set out on the sidewalk with tables and chairs. People drank coffee, ate and read. No texting, smart phones, iPads, or WiFi.
About Social Media
I met only one perso
n who claimed a Facebook addiction, an Indy race car mechanic from Earl’s Court who was working his Facebook connections to move to Indianapolis to be nearer to the racing industry.
No one in the marketing industry admitted liking Twitter, though several used it, worked with it out of necessity–hating every minute of it they said. “It’s awful, just horrible.” C’est terrible, tout simplement horrible.”
Newspaper and Printed Word Junkies in Paris
Reliance on information by those over 30 was newspaper. In cafes, restaurants, public transportation. Sitting in Laduree for coffee and croissants I read my dailies, checked e-mails, communicated with my business partner 
Jon through the BlackBerry World version smart phone. But nowhere in the entire cafe and restaurant was a cell phone, smart phone, laptop or electronic device held.
As I caught up on e-mail, reading, web posts, social media for hours, I felt as though I was breaking a social moray. Not one person in the crowded cafe was looking at a phone but me. I was eventually told to stop and take my phone outdoors.
There were many writers writing with pencil and paper. Artists sketching on pads. People reading newspapers and books. Me focusing on that teeny tiny connection to
the U.S. on the BlackBerry’s 2″x3″ screen was offensive and people were trying to stare me down hoping I’d put my phone away.
Londoners Love the Written Word
From a journalists’ view it was a relief to see the number of newspapers being read and carried by so many people at all hours of the day.
Newspaper was a necessity on the train, in cafes, restaurants, buses. Unlike the U.S., newspapers are still respected resources. Cab drivers, train and bus drivers have stacks of their dailies handy for a look on their breaks and downtime.
People everywhere were reading and talking about J.K. Rowling’s latest book and movie.
In Lord Moon of the Mall Pub just down the street from the National Gallery an artists’ group was meeting on a Friday night to share their works — on paper. Two writers read each others manuscript pages — on paper. I took notes 
from the day’s activities and wrote what I could to recall all I’d seen and heard.
Phones were not allowed.
And while there is a massive departure from the newspaper in Paris and London there is still strong readership.
It was exhilarating to walk down Fleet Street in London, passing The Tipperary Pub, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese where renowned authors spent hours reflecting (a.k.a.: drinking, imbibing). Just knowing that in the same places I stepped across the street, so walked literary giants and journalists from around the world.
It Was Like Stepping Back in Time
Technologically speaking, traveling without my Droid X (which is not global capable) was like living in the U.S. seven years ago.
Remember when we had to be at our desks for office communications and digital access. Couldn’t pop over to a WiFi zone or use a USB port. Remember when we had to actually plug the Internet cable into our laptops?
We weren’t using 3G, 4G, e-mail, downloads, cloud computing, smart phones.
But it was nice talking to people and writing on paper again. It was like stepping back in time to three of the most beautiful cities in the world.
