Hot Date Friday!

Whooty Whoo! The weekend has finally arrived. Hopefully you're looking forward to a few well-planned, cheap-but-fun group dates.

In anticipation of this mighty event, let's chat CELL PHONES.

There is one basic law-of-the-land for cell phone use during a date: DON'T.

Young Women. If your parents have asked you to take a cell phone on your date, in case of emergency, then you may use it IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. Otherwise, you're going to turn that little puppy on vibrate, and turn your attention to the handsome and thoughtful gentleman who has planned a fun evening JUST FOR YOU. On Vibrate!? Gasp! But, What if..? Nope. No what if's. Tuck your cell safely inside your purse, only to be seen by human eyes if (a) there is a call from your parents or (b) there is an EMERGENCY. And, ladies, the following absurd situations do not constitute emergencies:

1. Your very-best-friend-in-the-wide-universe is calling to let you know what color the grape Kool-aid actually turned her hair (Have no fear. Her hair will still be that same, cosmic color of blue-violet in the morning)


2. You get the sudden inspiration to share your phone-answering gifts. Look how many friends I have! See how many phone calls I can giggle about in a ten-minute period! (Wrong-o chica. How 'bout you use those ten minutes to show your fine gentleman just how talented a conversationalist you are by chatting with HIM...'So, Hank, do you always wear stripes and checks together? Tres chic!').


3. Your date has exited the car to check on restaurant reservations. Remember ladies, the dear boy is doing his best to entertain you. This is NOT the time to whip out the cell phone. Please, please, puh-lease NO tattling on him to the posse of girlfriends waiting to hear your greasy gossip (Instead, use that quiet moment in the car as an opportunity to be nice. Think up three compliments for your date and share them with him when he returns).

Young Men. All above rules apply to you, too. Though, there are a few exceptions. If you are running late...use the cell phone. If you need directions to your destination...use the cell phone. If dinner costs more than the $10 you made mowing lawns this week...well...you're gonna need more than a cell phone. Anyhow, the idea for you gentlemen is this: keep your cell phone accessible. Plop it in your pocket, turn it to vibrate, and use it with discretion. Should a situation arise where a quick call will allow you to take better care of your adorable date, then use it. Otherwise, tuck it away and no talky, no talky.

Okay, one more time, in a nutshell...There is a time and a place for cell phones. And there is a time and a place for dating. Rarely will those two entities ever cross orbits.

Ultimately, putting away your cell phone allows you to be a more thoughtful companion. Be respectful to your date. Give them your time and attention and you may just find you've made a great friend by date's end.