In today's world, phone calls often take precedence over face-to-face conversations, leading to feelings of neglect and disruption. People frequently experience the unsettling sensation of being sidelined when someone they’re talking to answers a call, forcing them to awkwardly fill the silence. The social dynamics shift as the remaining person attempts to mitigate the disruption, often resorting to superficial gestures like reading a magazine to cope with the sudden loss of engagement.

The author Lynne Truss explores these behaviors in her book, highlighting the rudeness that permeates modern interactions. There are ritualistic actions that emerge post-call to mend the social fabric, enabling individuals to restore a sense of normalcy after the interruption. Truss sheds light on how technology impacts our relational etiquette and the lengths people go to in order to preserve harmony in their interactions.