Turn Off: Cell Phones

I was people watching at the coffee shop last evening and glanced upon a couple who were obviously on a date.  They were smiling and talking when, suddenly, *ring ring!* and the girl picks up her cell phone.  

Of course, awkwardness ensues for the up-to-then engaged male.  Where does he look?  What expression should he have on his face?  Is that a hair in his coffee?  Is it his?  Yeah, it’s his.  Why is his date being so rude?

I could sympathize with the fella.  On two relatively recent dates, my companion has answered her Kanye West-jiving or Mozart-glissandoing cell phone mid-conversation.  Honestly, nothing kills the mood (or the connection) during a date more than a call from roommate Shauna.  Oh wait, I’m wrong—actually engaging in a conversation with her kills it more.  Either that, or farting.  

Now, I’ll admit that I do carry a cell phone when I go on a date.  However, I keep it on silent.  Its sole purpose is to have the capability to call the police in the case of abduction by Chechen rebels.  Chechen rebels who have mistaken Minnesota for Moscow.