The Menace of the smombie is still with us, those irritating people who are so glued to the screens of their mobile devices that they pay little attention to what is going on around them or where they are going. There are encouraging signs, perhaps, of an attempt to eradicate the menace.   

In a referendum which saw a turnout of 20% of the residents of Seine-Port in the Seine-et-Marne area south of Paris, 54% voted to restrict Smartphone use in public, banning children and adults from scrolling on their devices while walking down the street, while sitting with others on a park bench, while in shops, cafes or eating in restaurants, and while parents are waiting to pick up their children at the school gates. If you want directions, just ask someone. Shops and other public areas are being encouraged to display a sign of a smartphone with a red line through it.

The ban is not legally enforceable but the mayor believes it will serve as an incitement to moderate smartphone usage in public. We will see.