My friend shared an image on Facebook recently and it is on point:

I hate sounding cynical, but this feels like every other weekend lately.  Making plans that just fall apart.  I will say that I don’t like giving wishy-washy answers when asked to do something with friends.  But if I say I am doing something- I stay committed.  No need to agree to a plan and then not show up.  If you can’t make it, then just say so.

Obviously real life situations arise.  Plans you made a few days ago may actually need to be cancelled due to many factors. If this is the case, then being courteous and telling your friends as soon as it happens is the right thing to do.  Over the past few weeks, my work schedule has been revised numerous times.  Working in an industry that runs 24/7 can make it difficult to make plans on a Friday night if you need to work at 6am on a Saturday.  But I knew this would happen, so I have avoided committing to too many plans.

I don’t mind last minute plans.  Spontaneity is the spice of life.  As I mentioned before, my schedule can be rather difficult at times, so last minute plans work best for me.  My wife, not as much.  However she is getting more adept to the idea.

So next time we hang out, feel free to bring your phones.  I’m pretty sure there is something better out there to do than just hear me talk about how tired I am from work.  Heck, I have been known to pull out my phone to text funny images to a buddy sitting next to me on the couch.  I don’t find it disrespectful.  It’s just the way we are as a society at the moment.