D.L. Stewart web exclusive: Hang up and carpe diem

One of the most on-target comments I’ve found about modern life was included in a recent USA Today article concerning the use of cellphones in restaurants. Noted the chef of a Washington, D.C., restaurant that enforces a no-phone policy:

“I think we’re all heading in the direction where we miss a lot of great moments in life because we’re so attached to our phones,” he declared. “People just need to realize there are places where you could use it, there are places where you shouldn’t want to use it.”

The observation hit home last weekend in this picturesque little tourist destination on the banks of Lake Michigan, where a group of friends and family had gathered for a wedding. At a restaurant with a beautiful view of the Kalamazoo River, four of them met for a pre-wedding lunch. Ignoring the beautiful view — and each other — they hunched over their cellphones, checking mail and tapping messages at their table.

I'd like to say it was a sad commentary on today's young people, but it was our table and all four of us were 60+. (In my defense, I only was hunched over my phone because I didn't want to feel left out or give the impression I wasn't important enough to send or receive messages.)

Fortunately, we all were able to make it through the wedding ceremony that evening without using our phones.

But then, it was a very short ceremony.

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