I am not a fan of cell phones. I have one because it’s the only way I can have a phone where I am living but I don’t like them. It’s bad enough that people are incredibly rude by having loud conversations in public places, and others walk around the stores with the phone glued to their ears. We won’t even get into the subject of talking or texting while driving.
I am all for technology. I love my computer and remember the days of writing commands in DOS. I love Photoshop and the internet. In other ways I’m very old fashioned. I love to create things from scratch, especially cloth from my own sheep or soap from the basic ingredients.
What Part of "No Phone" Don't They Understand?
by Ragtimelil
What is it with phones today? People think I should be available 24/7 by phone. I think not.
I refuse to be available 24 hours a day. I don't have call waiting and I don’t take my phone on walks with me. My walks are my time with my dogs. It would probably fall out of my pocket and into the lake anyway.
What amazes me though is the fact that some people can’t seem to comprehend not having a phone glued to the hip.
Phone or Email
I am using a prepaid phone now. I hate having phone bills so I just pay as I go. It works great until I run out of minutes at the same time that I run out of money. I hoard those last few minutes in case of an emergency.
Not too long ago I completely ran out of minutes. I needed to get in touch with a nearby agency and tried to reach them online. All they provided on their web site was a phone number. My sister decided to help me out by calling them from Hawaii to tell them I didn’t have a working phone and could they email me. They did. They sent an email with all their phone numbers.
Adding Minutes
I finally got my paycheck and went to put minutes on my phone through the phone company’s web site. For some reason, the minutes weren’t showing up. I sent an email to support. They emailed me back suggesting I call them and meanwhile I’m getting calls that I can’t answer from the phone service. I replied by email that I couldn’t answer the phone or call them because I didn’t have any minutes. They did help me get the problem fixed by email, but then I get a call from the phone company saying that they were calling because I was having trouble. I wouldn’t be talking to them if that were true, and they were using up my minutes.
A System
Now my phone is back charged with minutes but I really don’t have anyone to call. I’ve gotten all my friends to email me or send me a message through Facebook. When my neighbor wants to talk to me, she calls me but I don’t answer. I walk over and knock on her door. It’s our system.
I'll Call You
When the phone rings I’m very suspicious. If the ID doesn’t show that it’s a friend, I just might not answer. It’s either a bill collector or a telemarketer, even though I’m on the do not call list for cell phones. Answering them just wastes my minutes. Sometimes I don’t answer just because I don’t feel like it. I’m the one who paid for the phone and I’m the one paying for the minutes. It should be my choice if I want to use the phone or not.
So if you want to phone me, you best email me first.
Updated: 10/24/2012, Ragtimelil
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Phoney Comments
I try not to use a phone because my hearing isn't so great. Now I'm checking my email and FB every two seconds. I have to put myself on a schedule to get anything done.
Thanks!
My dad lives off the grid where there is no cell service, no phone lines (no electricity either) and it is the absolute best. I've never been a slave to phones - even before cells I wouldn't answer if watching a movie, eating, etc. whereas some jump up and make a mad dash! I have to have a cell in the rv (no landlines, as you well know)...but it doesn't own me, for sure!
I don't even get annoyed anymore, seeing people on the phone 24/7...I get sad. You miss the beauty and world around you when staring at a smartphone. Ever have people checking texts, etc. when you are right there? talking to them? Sad, sad, sad.
Great article, as always Lana!
Actually, it's pretty cool that you can shop and ask someone at home what to buy. There certainly are advantages.
I'm guilty of some of the things you say, Lana. I talk to my friends while shopping. I take it on walks. I never answer the phone unless I recognize the phone number. There are pros and cons to cell phones. Some of the cons are big which makes you wonder if it's worth it.
Thanks. I just can't get excited about a phone call, unless i'm waiting to hear about something. Most if the time, I'm not.
I'm so with you :) Some time ago I decided not to be a slave to the phone and re-organised my communication habits. I started leaving it switched off for days at a time. Like you, I stopped answering calls from people I can't identify (most of the time). Now I mostly use my cell as an alarm clock (and even that is pretty rare, ha!)
Funny thing, my life didn't crumble with all the changes. It improved.
Yes, there have been times when I have needed to be "on call" but mostly I don't. I like to do things online when I can. I agree with you.
Lana, I absolutely agree.
I have a mobile phone only because my elderly mother, or either of my two kids, may need to contact me urgently. But I hate the bloody things! I have a landline because it's the cheapest way for me to have the internet but I only plug the router into the socket, not a phone. When I did use my landline I was harassed to death by telesales people trying to sell me all manner of things. They drove me insane- thus, I unplugged the phone and gave it away!
I, where ever I can, deal with all my bills and other affairs via the internet and email. You also get to have a written record of events that way.