How did we ever manage w/o cell phones?

Options
2»

Replies

  • cranshinibon
    cranshinibon Posts: 129 Member
    before cell phones there were palm pilots. before palm pilots were solo cups with string. before solo cups with string there were pen and paper. before pen and paper there were rock and chisel. before that there were cell phones. **mind blown**

    I still communicate with these
    250px-paper_note11.jpg
  • Anahita_Swims
    Anahita_Swims Posts: 4,127 Member
    i kinda dont use my cell phone at all. i have a laptop and an ipad i use around the house but when im out im out :)

    text me you can expect a response in about a week! :)
  • BillyC96
    BillyC96 Posts: 7,560 Member
    I am inadequate. I don't care. My smartphone can do many things I'm pleased it can do. I don't use any of them. When it rings I answer it and speak to a person who knows my number. Sometimes. Other times it's some blooby automated message asking me if I have pursued my bank for PPI charges I was unaware I paid for. (yes I have, bugger off) Sometimes I calI family members and people I know with moderately important information. I send a text now and again, and I am pleased when I get an answer. I also get texts from people who would like me to gamble my meagre wages on wagers on football(soccer) teams I know nothing about. It is annoying. My phone is a light weight boat anchor I feel obliged to carry. I get calls and texts that it takes me days to realise I have received. My life is unencumbered, and therefore good. My time is mine.

    And to you bugaboo_sue, I have this suggestion. When going out to dinner all mobile phones are put on the table in a central place. The first person to reach for their phone during dinner has to pay the bill. Problem solved.
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    being condescending about cell phone use is the new being condescending about television watching

    Do you mean in a bar or in general?

    I personally hate it when I am at a nice restaurant/bar and someone is yapping extremely loudly on their phone. My husband and I were out one night having drinks at a bar and this guy had his phone on speaker and was talking. With the phone on speaker. Really annoying.

    I also personally think it's rude to text and talk on the phone when you're out with other people who have taken time out of their day to spend with you. I feel very lucky that I don't have any friends like that.

    i'm talking in general. Certainly there are certain social protocols and considerations people should use with cell phone use. Don't ignore who you are with to check facebook. Don't take calls at a dinner table, etc. etc.

    What I mean is, over the last 20 years or so, people who don't have a TV have some sort of pride rising to the level of condescension because they do other things besides waste time watching TV. Over the last 5 years, maybe less, i am starting to see this same thing in people who either don't have a smartphone or don't use it as much as others. They say they have "real conversations" and "live life" not just read about others on FB. as if you can't do both.
  • BillyC96
    BillyC96 Posts: 7,560 Member
    being condescending about cell phone use is the new being condescending about television watching

    It's about having manners. I will ignore my phone for a person who has taken time to be in my presence.
  • BillyC96
    BillyC96 Posts: 7,560 Member
    being condescending about cell phone use is the new being condescending about television watching

    Do you mean in a bar or in general?

    I personally hate it when I am at a nice restaurant/bar and someone is yapping extremely loudly on their phone. My husband and I were out one night having drinks at a bar and this guy had his phone on speaker and was talking. With the phone on speaker. Really annoying.

    I also personally think it's rude to text and talk on the phone when you're out with other people who have taken time out of their day to spend with you. I feel very lucky that I don't have any friends like that.

    i'm talking in general. Certainly there are certain social protocols and considerations people should use with cell phone use. Don't ignore who you are with to check facebook. Don't take calls at a dinner table, etc. etc.

    What I mean is, over the last 20 years or so, people who don't have a TV have some sort of pride rising to the level of condescension because they do other things besides waste time watching TV. Over the last 5 years, maybe less, i am starting to see this same thing in people who either don't have a smartphone or don't use it as much as others. They say they have "real conversations" and "live life" not just read about others on FB. as if you can't do both.

    And now I understand your meaning. I still think there is a difference between the intellectual snobbery of the no TV thing as opposed to the lack of social skills involved in some peoples phone use during social gatherings.
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    being condescending about cell phone use is the new being condescending about television watching

    Do you mean in a bar or in general?

    I personally hate it when I am at a nice restaurant/bar and someone is yapping extremely loudly on their phone. My husband and I were out one night having drinks at a bar and this guy had his phone on speaker and was talking. With the phone on speaker. Really annoying.

    I also personally think it's rude to text and talk on the phone when you're out with other people who have taken time out of their day to spend with you. I feel very lucky that I don't have any friends like that.

    i'm talking in general. Certainly there are certain social protocols and considerations people should use with cell phone use. Don't ignore who you are with to check facebook. Don't take calls at a dinner table, etc. etc.

    What I mean is, over the last 20 years or so, people who don't have a TV have some sort of pride rising to the level of condescension because they do other things besides waste time watching TV. Over the last 5 years, maybe less, i am starting to see this same thing in people who either don't have a smartphone or don't use it as much as others. They say they have "real conversations" and "live life" not just read about others on FB. as if you can't do both.

    And now I understand your meaning. I still think there is a difference between the intellectual snobbery of the no TV thing as opposed to the lack of social skills involved in some peoples phone use during social gatherings.

    there is a difference in what you have presented.

    i was comparing it to those who look down on people for using their cell phone for texting and facebook in general, not specifically when dining or in a social situation that would warrant a level of decorum
  • GDLAZ
    GDLAZ Posts: 3,784 Member
    I know more than a few people addicted to their cell phones. The other day I saw a guy walking and texting walk smack into a flag pole. Rang his bell for sure. Probably thought his phone was ringing...
  • stuart160
    stuart160 Posts: 1,628 Member
    I actually am not so sure we wouldn't be better off going back to the days without them.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I fully admit that I'm kind of "that person" who talks about not using a smartphone and not having TV ...my husband and I own a TV, but we don't have cable, satellite, Netflix, or even tune in to local TV stations. We sometimes leave the TV off for like 2 months and then when the new season of a show I love comes out, we get the DVD (rental or library) and binge-watch like mad.

    So I get the APPEAL of TV...and smartphones, too. So it's not that I think I'm somehow superior. #1 We are insanely frugal, always try to keep monthly costs at a crazy bare minimum that we could easily maintain for a long while even if we both lost our jobs or whatever. #2 I find that I can do most things on the internet for "free" and I have a nice laptop I use for that. #3 I just don't see the big appeal of 99% of TV shows. Clearly I waste more than my fair share of time on the internet (5,000+ MFP forum posts? Yeah that's ridiculous and silly, and I do 95% of it at work)...I do a lot of other stuff that is not necessarily a great use of time but I enjoy it. So I don't judge people for spending their free time on TV shows or smartphones. That's why it's "free time" :-)
  • margannmks
    margannmks Posts: 424 Member
    I'm not sure how I was able to manage the first 50 years of my life without a Cell phone.

    And, beacause I didn't grow up with them, I can't seem to utilize mine to it's fullest capacity.

    I've never taken a selfie. Try as I may, in front of the mirror, I can't seem to get that duck face mastered.

    My fingers are too fat to text, so I have speak to the person next to me, rather than text them back. It takes them a minute to discover my inadequacy before they lower their cell phone and speak to me directly. I know it makes them uneasy, but what can I do.

    Wish there was a function that would connect me to the person nearest me, so that I could get their attention as they drift from their lane to mine. But, then again, they will probably hit me anyways before my fat fingers could tap out a warning.

    When I am out to dinner with some of my younger friends, I just have to sit there, eat, and watch them communicate with each other.

    I'm so embarrased and feel so inadequate.




    I love this. ^^^ I have a Jitterbug cell phone, lighted face, big numbers, 24-hr. help line. No photos, apps, video, any of that, just takes calls in and makes calls out. I use it when I'm off the farm alone, in case I need to call for help or to get a message about picking up something. When I'm at home, it's turned off. I think I rack up maybe 5 minutes a month, if that. I feel free......
    My jitterbug died last november and we only used it when we traveled back and forth to our hunt camp. I got a smart *kitten* phone in dec i still dont know my phone number or how to answer it but my 31 year old daughter is thrilled that i can text. Hubby still wants no part of it.
This discussion has been closed.