Okay, I need to start by stating that I don't have a cell phone. Well, that's not completely true. I have a fairly old cell phone that I used to use with Pay-As-You-Go minutes. I found the rates to be terrible, the minutes were either wasted or I went through them too quickly, and I had a bit of a problem keeping my phone charged. Plus I was always paranoid in the theatre that my cell would go off and I'd be one of "those" people.

And you know what, my fears come from an honest place. I've been on the other side. I was performing at a dinner theatre for the better part of a year, and almost lost my place in my choreography when a gentleman in the front row not only received a call during the show, but actually took it and proceeded to converse for several minutes! I was shocked and appalled.

So I gave up my cell phone. I used it so infrequently, and it seemed to cause me more grief than convenience. In the year that I've now been without cellular technology there have probably been three occasions where it would have been really great to have a phone. But I somehow managed to get through them without one.

So as a reformed cell phone user, I've noticed a new trend that I find VERY disturbing. Quite frequently when I am in communal washrooms, I hear that my stall neighbours are on the phone. What is that about? The other day a woman next to me answered her phone, then asked who was calling, and proceeded to have a business call ON THE TOILET!

Am I really old-fashioned? I just don't think any calls are so important that they need to be made or taken when nature is calling. Sure, I know the bathroom stall has always been a refuge for women in crisis looking for a private place to shed some tears or spill her guts, but I assure you, these are not those kinds of calls.

Are the men doing this too? Is talking on your phone at the urinal now common-place? I would think the mechanics might be slightly more difficult, but perhaps men are overcoming those odds and joining women as they place and receive calls in the washroom.

Please stop. I find this disturbing. Wait until you're at least at the sink. It's really the classy thing to do.