It is rude to answer the phone during dinner.
James was listening to his wife explain a personality conflict at work when the phone rang.
James wants to stop listening to to his wife complain about her coworkers.
James ignores the phone but uses the interruption to change the topic of discussion to how telemarketing should be illegal.
James answers the phone and spends ten minutes talking to the telemarketer on the other end to give his family time to finish eating.
James' wife is equally willing to complain about telemarketers instead of her work colleagues.
James and his wife gradually drift further apart until they feel like strangers.