I haven’t dated in ages, but I do know that people interrupting conversations at lunches/dinner, board meetings, news conferences, etcetera, with their phones is extremely rude. But it happens so frequently, many people don’t seem to realize it.

It’s akin to going into the bank or your cable-TV provider, and while they’re supposed to be servicing you, they pick up the phone and carry on a 10-minute conversation, like you’re not there. They may be ordered by their superiors to do that, but it’s still rude as heck.

I’m with you, James. The phone is supposed to enhance our lives, not take away from it.  My spouse likes to joke and say, "If he/she is that important, then they don’t need to be here with the rest of us commoners."

I think the real issue is that some people are not comfortable being alone with their own thoughts—in silence. My sister is one of those. If there is a single moment of down time, she’s on the phone. She literally won’t just sit and be. 

I’ve actually seen my sis (and others like her) talking  on the phone with one person, while sitting at a table in a restaurant with friends. I’ve been with her in the car having a conversation, her phone ring, and she choose to talk on it for 15 minutes while in the car with me or others.  It’s so unkind to the people who’ve made time for you in person.

My sister and mother will scold me for not taking a call on my cell when I’m in a store, at the doctor’s office, paying at a cash register, or in the car. "Aren’t you going to get that?". I shake my head and hit the silence button so it will go to voicemail. I check the screen just to make sure it isn’t my spouse or child, and then I’m done. The phone is for MY convenience, not that of the world!

I live above a noisy restaurant, and  I can observe patrons sitting outdoors, and what I see is a serious change in manners and decorum, those old fashioned words. For example, as soon as couples or groups of women with women/men with men/ or coeducational are seated, almost everyone takes out a phone or Black Berry, and talks intermittently or continuously. As a matter of fact, I observed 2 young women interrupting their eating to dial and speak. At another table, one guest (I presume) sat quietly, hands clasped, while 2 other women at the same table continued speaking to their phones.

 On buses, and in the street, even in supermarkets,as well as boutiques these rude change makers are dialing, talking, and treating salespeople, bank tellers, bus drivers, waitpeople as objects, and there is no connection between people.

There are women carrying strollers (yes, carrying them) on a bus with one hand, holding a child’s hand with the other, and hugging a device with their shoulder and lowered head—and there is no human contact with the driver of the bus or the other riders as they amble down the aisle bumping into passengers.

As for mothers and nannies who talk throughout their strolls with a child in a stroller, I wish they would talk to the child. What I overhear are inanities, catchng up with gossip, or explaining which streets they are passing, as though they ae whisteling in the wind! Is anyone paying attention? 

I do worry about the dangers in not concentrating while walking, driving in traffic, and I also wonder whether these people are even conscious of their environment and the people in it. It is as though evironment and everything else is an inamimate object.

 As for drivers making turns at the corner of a street, I stare at them, hoping they notice, because I won’t step across the street while they remain inatttentive. I hope that the use of these devices is outlawed on all vehicles, and that passengers are warned not to use them, because they distract the driver.

How arrogant it is to think that one is a multi-task genius! I strongly doubt it.

 I consider this behavior offensive, not impolite.

 As for courtship, what is that all about? Demonstrating one’s importance, power, or lack of interest?

 I’ve always considered this use of devices a demonstration that Americans cannot bear to be alone, silent, concentrating on walking, sitting, shoppng, or just enjoying the sites, whatever.

Years ago, while thousands waited for the Pope to pass in his limousine along Fifth Avenue, I observed a moment  when almost everyone began talking on a cell phone. A tourist looked at me and asked: "What are they doing and why?"

I confided: "Fear of being alone!"

 When all this awfulness began, someone coined a wonderful response, which I’ve used occasionaly: " Do you think this is a telephone booth?"

Of course, the callers outnumber us, so I don’t both any more. 

Over a three-year period, I dated hundreds of men, who I met online, and I’m happy to say that a very small percent took or made cell phone calls while on a date (though those who did never got to go out with me on a second date). I recall one of them who said, "I may have to take a phone call because….," and I thought it was a good reason, so that was acceptable to me. And if the truth be told, it was a cell phone call that made me fall in love with Mr. Right. We had planned on meeting at a restaurant for dinner for our first date (something that I didn’t typically do. As I write in my book, THE INTELLIGENT WOMAN’S GUIDE TO ONLINE DATING: And She Lived Happily Ever After (http://www.theintelligentwomansguide.com), one should do coffee only for a first date - just in case you want it to end quickly. When I arrived at the restaurant - on time - I was greeted at the door with, "Are you here to meet Peter?" When I said, yes, she told me, "He just called. He’s on his way, but he’s stuck in traffic, and he’s going to be 10 minutes late." What a wonderful impression that made on me. People always seem to be 10 minutes late - or more, and they never think to call. Peter and I fell in love on that first date, and we’re living happily ever after. It was his cell phone that made the first impression.

My husband gets so mad at me- I have a cell phone that sits on the table next to my chair- I use it as an address phone book- so handy!!!!

I am either at work, or at home ( or with someone who has that little thingy in their ear)- and ten minute transit. Nothing is so important that I need to be reached in that time frame.