Ask LH: How Can I Get My Girlfriend To Stop Playing Pokemon GO?

Dear Lifehacker, my girlfriend is a Pokemon GO player. I’m not. Over the past fortnight she has been playing the game 24/7 and it’s starting to affect our relationship. When she’s not hunting Pokemon, she’s tweeting about it or researching tips on her phone — even while we’re in bed together. (And don’t get me started on our “romantic” walks!) I’m starting to feel seriously neglected! Do you have any intervention tips for Pokemon GO addicts? Thanks, Pokemon GO AWAY

Dear PGA,

It’s official: Pokemon GO is better than sex! Maybe you should try dressing up as Pickachu? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

This is an interesting pickle. On the one hand, trying to dictate what your girlfriend does for entertainment is not how relationships work. You don’t own her and she’s free to do whatever she wants. (Plus, it sounds like she’s simply enjoying herself and getting some exercise into the bargain. Surely this is a good thing?)

On the other hand, engaging in a prolonged solo activity in front of your partner is definitely a bit rude; especially when it’s something she knows you don’t enjoy.

This is an ongoing problem that isn’t just isolated to Pokemon GO. We all have that one friend who’s face is constantly buried in their phone during all social settings. It’s inconsiderate, whether you’re firing off tweets, browsing the web or hunting for pocket monsters.

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to make these people see the error of their ways and self-modify their behavior. More often than not the person instantly gets defensive which just leads to an argument.

Instead, my advice is to find a mobile game that’s more your speed and play alongside her. Here are some suggestions to get you started. You should also keep an eye on our Free Game Friday page for new and discounted freebies.

If that doesn’t work, you might require the services of Kotaku’s agony aunt columnist Dr Nerdlove, who specialises in this sort of thing. You can contact him here.

We also want to hear what readers think. Should Pokemon GO players refrain from playing on dates or do people like PGA need to lighten up? Share your advice and opinions in the comments section below!

Cheers
Lifehacker

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