Phubbing, which is the term for snubbing someone you're face to face with by looking at or using your phone, is a big source of conflict.

At the time those were my sentiments too, but I soon discovered that I could not make common cause with my colleagues. After dinner I reported the conversation I had had with the professor of history, and again I said that I thought the political truth of democracy could be demonstrated. No such thing! Democracy could be saved by force of arms but it could not be proved by weight of reason.

She clasped her hands tightly around my back and said, 'Sorry I spoke to you like that. I'm frightened, that's all. In psychology it's called cherophobia — fear of happiness. I'm afraid of getting hurt. Promise me you'll never leave me.'

Naughty cat, she said, but less fiercely, while she zipped down her jacket and made a warm pocket for the kittens in the crook of her arm.