The young family was eating their meal at a nicer restaurant; looked like two teens and a tween, a mom and a dad.

A quirky type drew near their table with a vintage Polaroid camera and explained that she was doing a project on families out to eat in Lancaster.  Could she take their photo?  Sure, they said, and put their arms around each other’s shoulders, moving in close and beaming their smiles at the photographer.

“Oh, no no, please just separate and look down at your phones like you were.  I want what you actually do when out to eat together.”

*awkward silence*

How would you respond?

Because my blood boils when I see this, all this self-absorbed, mindless behavior, this rudeness, this wasting of precious time around a table with loved ones.  I am one slip of self-control away from blurting out to total strangers with an exaggerated tone of wonder, “LOOOOK!  There’s a REAL LIVE PERSON right across from you!!!  Imagine that!” and then preceding to spike their phone like a football in the end zone.

Zeal much?