Have you ever been tempted to place your cell phone on the table?! This amusing picture above was sent to me by a darling friend, so I just had to share it!
The presence of cell phones on the table has snuck in the back door and become the norm for many. While I touched upon this in another MMM newsletter this subject, like having a drink in one's hand while being photographed, is worth mentioning again!
Mummy did not have to contend with cell phones on the dinner table since taking a phone to a party was not even an option back then. Today, of course, it’s hard to find a restaurant where families, couples, and children aren’t looking into their phones. Welcome to 2020!
When attending a black tie dinner with my husband Stuart at Buckingham Palace, we were given strict instructions that cell phones were not allowed and would be collected, along with our coats, as we entered the palace. That took care of that!
When attending a black tie wedding at a notable church recently, in the vestibule was an attractively framed message for guests: 'No photographs allowed. Cell phones should be silenced.' That covered both bases!
So, while all the guests respected the church’s request, many took a few photographs during the cocktail reception which followed, including myself.
As may be discerned and as the amusing picture above shows, proper form dictates keeping the cell phone tucked away in a purse, or pocket, and to never place it on the dining table!
Besides formality, however, I believe there’s something to be said about simply allowing yourself to be present and ‘in the moment’ for any given occasion. Whether it’s the birth of a new grandchild, a wedding, or even going to a nice restaurant, allowing yourself to notice the details is different than looking at it through your iPhone camera and thinking about your social media friends!
Millennial Tip
Being respectful is key. I think it is imperative to ask permission before you post a photograph of anyone or anything on social media.