How to Boost Their Self-Esteem with Your Cell Phone
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Marty looked at me with a “hardy-har-har, fooled you” grin. As he picked up the howling phone, he proudly announced, “That’s a recording of my kid crying. It drives the wife crazy.” She’s not the only one. I am SO not going to work for you! Being imprisoned in Marty’s cell phone hell just wouldn’t be worth it. His digital infant howled three more times during our lunch. Each time, he picked it up and looked lovingly into its little backlit face. He was calculating who was more important, the caller or me. As we left the restaurant, I fantasized him as a baby crawling around the house in nothing but diapers with his cell phone attached by a big safety pin.
What About You? How many times have you been chatting amicably with someone and suddenly your sentence is cut short by the sound of chimes, Beethoven’s Fifth, Led Zeppelin, or salsa resonating from her pocket or purse? Like submitting to the spell of singing mermaids, she dives for her cell and stares at the screen for a second. Even if she deems you more important than the caller and puts it back in its resting place, the damage is done. She had no sensitivity to your feelings. No Emotional Prediction. You probably think I am going to say, “Turn your cell phone off before meeting with someone.” Sure, that’s a good idea—but just average. Here is how to openly demonstrate your deference for someone. One time, on a blind date, a Czech architect spun my heart like a top. Ivan Batucuda was good looking, but that was not the reason. He was well spoken, but that was not the reason. He seemed kind, but that was not the reason. Curious?