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I couldn’t help noticing the young fellow sitting in a booth by himself across from us in the restaurant. He looked uncomfortable and was alone for a good 30 minutes when finally a young lady arrived to be seated at the table with him. He was clearly relieved now that she was there. It was worth the wait I thought as I noticed how attractive she was. I relayed all this to my wife who was out with me that night. I spoke too soon.

No sooner was the young lady seated and had barely acknowledged the young man she had kept waiting when she pulled out her cell phone and made a call. That call lasted at least 20 minutes or more because by then my wife and I had finished our meal and were on our way out. During the last twenty minutes we were there we saw a very uncomfortable fellow across from a girl having an animated conversation on the phone. There was no question that she was having a great time and he was not. It might have been their first date. Perhaps it was also their last date.

The cell phone, and the regular telephone for that matter, are a wonderful communication devices. Depending on how you use them they can also be a great way to show people you don’t think much of them. Have you ever been in a store or office in the middle of or waiting to be served only to have the person that you are talking to pick up a ringing phone and proceed to serve someone else? At that time did you have the thought that the one on the phone didn’t make the effort that you just did to come in person?

It is like being at a social function and you are having a conversation with someone who is not looking at you but continues to scan the room looking for someone else or making sure that they are not missing anything. The cell phone accomplishes pretty much the same thing. Hang on while I take this call...

In meetings, boardrooms, restaurants, religious services, and other peoples' private residences, having your cell phone on and taking a call is tantamount to saying that where you are and what you are doing is not where you wish to be. You may not realize it but you are telling the people whose presence you are in that they are not very important to you.