Where does a relationship coach go to get fodder for their articles and advice for clients? Uh, how about the one place that, despite the massive business of online dating, still commands such a presence in the dating world. Za’ bar! So I, your neighborhood friendly coach and student of the human condition, would like to impart some bar observations that will either entertain you or help you avoid the suffering of dating fools. Read on! Are you the elephant ninja? I hope not.

He’s the guy at the bar with his eyes on a gal. He looks at her with all intentions of going up to talk to her but instead of walking directly to her, he creeps. He takes two steps, stops and looks up at the sports screen. He then takes two more steps and has a sip of his beer. At some point he’ll act as though he’s looking for a friend, head to the bathroom and just happens to reposition himself right behind her when he comes back.

This has pretty much become the new normal for two people to be together but on their own communication planets, phones glued to their cold dead hands. Do they look at each other? Uh, sometimes. Do they seem happy? Actually yes. Why? Because it’s the new normal silly! They don’t remember the good old days of two people sitting at a bar in awkward silence but with no phone in hand. Two couples having drinks and hanging out. But, he talks to him and she talks to her. Think about it.

This is an interesting relationship test and potential crutch. On one hand, there is absolutely nothing wrong with friends catching up with each other in pairs. On the other hand, if you want to the bar with only your significant other, would it be hard to communicate? General observations would say yes. Both ‘Text on the Beach’ and ‘Birds of a Feather Talk Together’ are reflective of an environment that is becoming increasingly tech savvy and communication foolish.