Can You Put Your Phone Down for Just One Dinner?
By Moshe Laniado Peleg, Life & Relationship Coach
Why Technology Is Stealing Connection from Couples—and How to Take It Back
“Can you put your phone down for just one dinner?”
It’s a small sentence, but it carries a big truth. For many couples, this one line has become a silent cry for attention, a plea to feel valued over a glowing screen.
When Technology Comes Between Love
Phones are a part of our lives—we use them for work, navigation, staying in touch, even relaxing. But when constant scrolling, texting, or checking notifications creeps into our most intimate spaces, it does something subtle but powerful: it tells your partner they’re not the priority in that moment.
The truth is, it’s not about the phone itself. It’s about attention. Attention is the rarest and purest form of love. When we give it fully, our partner feels seen, heard, and cherished. When we divide it, connection gets lost.
Why Presence Matters
Think about the times you felt closest to your partner. Chances are, it wasn’t during a fancy vacation or a big event—it was during small, ordinary moments when you felt they were completely with you. A dinner conversation, a walk around the block, lying in bed and just talking.
Presence says: “You matter more than anything else right now.” And that message is more powerful than any text, email, or like on social media.
Creating No-Phone Zones
One of the simplest, most effective ways to protect connection is to set boundaries around technology. I often suggest couples try “No-Phone Zones.” A few ideas:
The Dinner Table – Make meals a space for conversation, not scrolling.
The Bedroom – Keep devices out of the most intimate room in your home.
Walks Together – Use this time for presence, not podcasts or messages.
These small commitments send a big message: “Our time together is sacred.”
A Shift That Transforms Relationships
Putting your phone down for one dinner may not seem like a grand gesture, but it’s often the smallest habits that create the biggest shifts. By choosing presence, you are choosing your partner. And over time, these choices build trust, intimacy, and a deeper sense of being truly loved.
So next time you hear—or feel—the words: “Can you put your phone down for just one dinner?” … take it as an invitation. An invitation to connect, to be fully there, and to remind your partner: “Yes. You matter more.”
About the Author
Moshe Laniado Peleg is a certified life and relationship coach with the Relationship Coaching Institute. He specializes in helping singles seeking lasting relationships and couples who want to overcome challenges and take their relationship to the next level.
To book a free one-on-one consultation, contact him at mishmoshe@gmail.com or visit www.coachmoshe.com.