My partner is one of those people that whips out his phone and records conflict and drama in public. He's "that guy" that's always trying to get viral social media content of confrontations and fights. How can I tell him to stop?
Ick. Throw his phone in the river – and make sure others are there recording that for him to watch it later.
It’s weird how people think they become the star by capturing someone else’s moment. When a video goes viral, rarely is the photographer getting the fame. Sure, they might post it to their social media for the clicks and 15 minutes of attention, but when the video lives on, it’s not his or her name associated with it once it’s picked up across the internet.
We live in a weird time when people are so addicted to their phone that the default human setting is, “Quick, grab the phone.” And I bet he’s the type of person that would get pissed off because his phone only has a little space left and he didn’t capture the whole scene. Womp womp. (Though 10 bucks says he immediately starts deleting files so it never happens again.)
Anyhow, there’s no harm in reminding him that others will likely capture the drama and post it for the world to see. Does he really want to be seen as a cameraphone gawker in the background of other people’s videos? How many times do we see people pass through and realize they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time and immediately look away after they notice they’re in the shot? In this situation, he’s the grown-ass man enjoying someone else’s drama. Ask him if that makes him feel like a good person. If it does, why the hell would you stay with someone like that?
I sense the issue is he does this when you’re together. If that’s the case, come to an agreement that he doesn’t embarrass you and record the public anymore. If the concern is that he’s posting everything and you’re connected to him that it’s a reflection on you because of the association, then “unfriend” him and tell him why you’re doing it. Or, at the very least, have him create a new nameless social media page that doesn’t publicly identify himself.
It's one thing if you’re asking a partner to change their hobby or something about their lifestyle because it makes you uncomfortable. This is different. This isn’t instinct beyond his control so much as it is his behavior. And behavior can be changed. Ask any dog.