Seven Instances when Multi-Tasking is Inappropriate, Detrimental, or Deadly

While driving - Eighty percent of crashes are due to driver inattentiveness. We hear this all the time. But is anybody paying attention? The truth is driving is its own multi-task. Since being careful of how you drive while watching the drivers in the lanes all around you, plus any pedestrians that may be walking your way is such a big deal, how do some people have the ability to talk on cell phones, text, Twitter, Tweet, chat, blog, email, put on makeup, shave, style hair, read a book, watch uTube or TV while driving safely? Truth is no one has that ability; some just get lucky. But not all the time. Neither does the fire hydrant, pedestrian or couple in the car ahead that got hit by a distracted driver. Sometimes accidents caused by distraction are mere fender benders. Other times, they conclude in hospitalization or death of one or more people.

While conducting a diagnosis - If you've watched House before, you know the scenario. Foreman and Carmen are conducting important tests to find out what's wrong with the patient, and they chat. About Carmen's love life, Cutty's love life, or House's antisociality. Of course they never miss the growth or abnormality on the X-Ray and they go on to solve the case. What about reality, when my life is really in the doctor's hands? Do I really want non-Hollywood humans who are more prone to mistakes than their make-believe counterparts chatting it up while they're trying to identify what's killing me?' Dream

During a church/religious service - People who write notes, plan their week, plan their dinner, pull up information on their Blackberries, text friends and family members or conduct other stimulating activities during church services are being rude. Some say they need to escape, because the program is boring. Others are so busy during the week that this is the only time they have to fill up their planner. It helps to remember why we come to church, and that is to worship. Worship is not a spectator sport, it is designed to get the soul, body, and spirit involved. Oh, and there is nothing boring about God, seriously.

On a date - Your heart is set on taking your girl or guy to a nice restaurant, having a quiet dinner complete with good food and conversation, when they pull out they're laptop, because in five minutes, they have to participate in a conference call. Somehow they got the times mixed up, and they really need to be "there." The problem is you need them to be "here" to enjoy this great evening you so painstakingly planned.

While making love - Despite that thing you do with your tongue/thumb/toe, being distracted during times of intimacy is a real mood killer. Not only should you not text/email/chat or talk on your Blackberry, you shouldn't try to watch TV, babysit or prepare dinner, among other things. Love is worth getting away from everything and everybody and being focused on the object of your love.

While giving/getting a perm - I knew someone who put perm in their hair and then went to a friend's house to share a special thought with them. That's nice. The problem is perm should only stay on hair for a designated amount of time. Hopefully the sharing ended before she had a chance to get home and wash the perm out so she wouldn't go bald.

At a funeral - Funerals are a time when family and friends get together to pay last respects to the deceased. Funerals are often the only time some family members ever see each other. However, don't try to make the funeral the family reunion. Although it's more convenient than sitting down planning two or three days of events and it's wise to kill two birds with one stone, right? Barring the fact that it's distasteful to turn the repast into a meet and greet, this could work. Who will die and be personally responsible for the next gathering?