[XOMichelle]

The phone holds a unique niche in communication. It doesn't replace human contact, but it useful when you don't have enough time to go see someone and you need to talk to them, or if they live far away. For instance, lets say I'm trying to get some work done. I can call a friend and talk for 20 minutes, but I can't actually go anywhere without compromising my work efforts. Even if someone lived close, and I could spend an hour on the phone or an hour to drive 15 minutes each way and talk to them face to face, I'd sometimes pick the phone if I thought I would slack and not get my work done. My boyfriend hates this, but it's eacier to hang up than to leave, so I'll make him talk to me on the phone.

ETA: Cell phones on weekends can be used to talk to whomever you want while you are doing boring chores and other tasks, like waiting in line, shopping for groceries and driving to see family. If someone calls me because they are stuck in one place and bored out of their mind, I am obligated to talk to them if I have time.