Just because someone brings their cell phone/smart phone on vacation doesn't mean they are addicted to a toy.
I am not 20 something
and I love technology and keep up with the latest gadgets. DH is really into technology and we have all the gadgets and I don't see this as a bad thing. Heck, his 83 year old grandmother has a cell phone and a laptop saying she loves it and wants to keep up with the times lol.
When we are on vacation I would never turn off my cell phone. There have been times when we were away and have had a death in the family we had to rush home for. I can't imagine not letting my family have a way to contact me in an emergency just because I was away. I don't have to answer it, I could let it go to voicemail and check it to make sure it's not an emergency but really my family doesn't bother us when we are away. DH and I go away without our kids sometimes and there is no way I would ever even think of not having direct, quick contact with them.
As for having the internet while on vacation, I like to stay connected and post pictures on Facebook for my family and friends. Also I use it to make reservations, get directions, check ride line times when we are at WDW. It's a really helpful tool when on vacation. I'm not glued to my phone 24/7 at home or on vacation. We usually bring our smart phones(iPhones) and either the iPad or our laptop, and my Kindle when we go away. I really don't see anything wrong with it.
I agree 100% with this post. I have a smart phone and it goes everywhere I go. Why? Because I do things without my DBF, without my kids, and my family (except my DBF and 2 kids still at home) all live in another state. There is NO way I could not have a way for any of them to get in touch with me right away if needed. I too like to FB, get directions (I love the navigation on my phone, I'm so directionally challenged it's scary) and I check ride times as well. I am not glued to my phone either but it's a valuable tool that is used all the time.
Nope, we dont have a laptop and our phones are only phones, no texting, no pictures, nothing but actual conversation can take place on our phones
shocking I know. Its not that we cant afford all those toys, I just dont wanna be that connected to everyone.
Those who matter will be with me on any trips.
Hubby and I went to Branns steakhouse this weekend for VDay and there were literally 20 TVs in the place.....you couldnt avoid looking at them, they were in your line of sight no matter where you sat. Then as Id look around just about every table someone was fiddling with a phone or nook/kindle. We wonder why our kids are ADD and require constant attention. Sorry its not for me.
Some of my favorite conversations have taken place on my cell phone via text......for me and my friends/family texting is as common as calling and the discussions are just as important and meaningful. My phone takes better photos than my camera and with my family living 600+ miles away it's great to take a photo of the kids with a character (yes, they both still like to meet the characters) and either pop it up on FB in seconds or text it their way, makes them feel like they are with us even tho they aren't.
I don't know about you but I can't take my parents and all my siblings and cousins with me on trips so I use technology to keep in touch. My Grandmother is elderly, she's important to me, if anything happens to her (or anyone else I love) I want to be contacted immediately.
FYI, even if someone is "playing with their phones/kindles/whateverss" that doesn't mean they aren't connected to the group they are with. DBF and I play Words With Friends (scrabble) together, we will sit on our couch and play against each other, it's the same thing as playing the board game but it's on our phone/iTouch. We had someone tell us to "stop messing with our phones and talk to each other" once, we were laughing so hard because at the time we were playing WwF and we had just finished a discussion regarding our upcoming vacation plans. It was just so out of left field and it was a stranger who had no idea what we were doing that we just busted out laughing. Also, if you are meeting others you may be receiving text messages that give you updates on where they are. People really shouldn't make judgements when they really don't know for sure what's going on.
In our home, we have 1 netbook, 1 laptop, 1 desktop, 1 smart phone (mine), 3 dumb phones and 2 iTouches. None of my children have ADD or need constant attention, in fact it's quite the opposite and we regularly receive comments on how well behaved our kids are when we are out and about.
I absolutely do agree that people do use technology to "babysit" their kids but it's not everyone, and people should not judge everyone based on what they see a few people doing.
OP as you can see, you're not the only one without a laptop or smartphone, I only made the smartphone choice a year ago myself.........if it's not for you, don't do it but if it is for others let that be their choice.
I refuse to get a smart phone, simply because I do not want to be attached to my email, etc. the few hours a day I actually have away from the computer - in fact, I have a need for the exact opposite: time to actually connect with my family and society. 
What can I say? I was BBS'ing back in the 80's. It has too much of a hold on me now! 
It's replaced my Kobo e-reader. But even though I investigated the option of a 3G card, I have not purchased on. Yet... 
If I do, it will be a $5 monthly flex card as when I do want to connect to the internet, I can usually conect wirelessly.
