Why could you NOT live without your cell phone?

[powellrj]

Obviously he hasn't met me. When I was in HS, my family had a party line that we shared with 3 other families -- no idle chitchat allowed. I've never been a phone talker. I don't make calls unless I am forced to, and I was trained from childhood never to stay on the phone more than 3 minutes if at all possible.

Your DH is buying into the idea that a learned behaviour is an instinctive one. That "travelling in packs" thing is something that is learned, and there are a fair number of women out there who simply don't do it; it just depends on how they were raised. I'm one of them, and I have been all my life. I work alone, and I eat lunch at my desk every day. I lived alone until I was married, and if I don't get at least 3 hours to myself every day I start climbing the bloody walls. I *LOVE* driving long-distance totally alone. And FTR, I have never in my life asked another woman to accompany me to the restrooom, unless you count taking a young girl to use the potty when she can't handle her clothes by herself.

Maybe its a party line thing! We also had a party line growing up and then when I was in high school, many of my friends lived in the town over from us and it was long distance to call them, so there was very little idle chatter! We also had one phone in the kitchen so there was also no privacy!

I also work alone and spend more hours alone than I do with people! I think nothing of going out to eat or to the movies alone. The only person I ever shop with is DD and thats only because I pay!

 

[luvmy3]

Obviously he hasn't met me. When I was in HS, my family had a party line that we shared with 3 other families -- no idle chitchat allowed. I've never been a phone talker. I don't make calls unless I am forced to, and I was trained from childhood never to stay on the phone more than 3 minutes if at all possible.

Your DH is buying into the idea that a learned behaviour is an instinctive one. That "travelling in packs" thing is something that is learned, and there are a fair number of women out there who simply don't do it; it just depends on how they were raised. I'm one of them, and I have been all my life. I work alone, and I eat lunch at my desk every day. I lived alone until I was married, and if I don't get at least 3 hours to myself every day I start climbing the bloody walls. I *LOVE* driving long-distance totally alone. And FTR, I have never in my life asked another woman to accompany me to the restrooom, unless you count taking a young girl to use the potty when she can't handle her clothes by herself.

I'm one of them too, I actually prefer to be alone than with a pack. He was also raised by his Mother who was very much the same, so yes he knows that its not every woman out there and it does depend on how you were raised. However, in his general observation on the societal pressures of women, I'd say he is spot on. It IS ingrained into women from a very young age that they need someone, whether its a man in their life or a group of friends, that somehow without them they are less of a person. Why else would there be those (men and women) on Facebook who's only goal is to have a high friend count, its because they don't want people to know or think they don't have any. Some women do not give in those pressures, most likely becasue of the way they were raised, but alot of women do. Now whether or not that has anything to do with a woman's need to always be on their cell, I have no idea.

 

[NMAmy]

I work in sales in a retail store and I find it extremely rude to do that ~ my opinion, to each their own. I will not wait on a customer who is talking on their cell while shopping. If I don't have your attention then you don't get mine. I understand that people may need to take that call now but then you excuse yourself and come back when your able to. I can't tell you how many times I have had someone try to converse with both the person on the phone and me and it is just plain frustrating. Either excuse yourself to me or tell the person you will call them back.

I agree with you but this works both ways. Just a week ago, I was checking out at Joann Fabric. The checkout lady answered the telephone and instead of asking the caller to hold, continued helping them--going so far as to snap her fingers to get my attention and then pointing at the total amount due on the register instead of bothering to excuse herself to actually talk to me, the customer with money who was standing right in front of her.

I worked in retail for years and the rule at every place that I worked was that you never ignore the customer in front of you for someone on the telephone.

 

[bettymae1121]

I agree with you but this works both ways. Just a week ago, I was checking out at Joann Fabric. The checkout lady answered the telephone and instead of asking the caller to hold, continued helping them--going so far as to snap her fingers to get my attention and then pointing at the total amount due on the register instead of bothering to excuse herself to actually talk to me, the customer with money who was standing right in front of her.

I worked in retail for years and the rule at every place that I worked was that you never ignore the customer in front of you for someone on the telephone.

I'd have BLOWN UP then and there!!!!! There is no WAY on earth I'd have let that one go by without giving the cashier a piece of my mind, and then reported her to the manager. I used to be a cashier, I have a great sympathy for those that work such a thankless job, but that is BEYOND rude!!!!

 

[tazdev3225]

I have a landline. The only time it rings I can almost guarantee I do not want to speak to the person on the other end. I use my landline number on forms where a phone is required. I also use it so I don't run up my minutes. I grew up when there were pay phones everywhere and you carried a dime although I vaguely remember it being a nickel when I was really little.
When I was in college I was stuck in an elevator for 3 hours and had no phone access. My mom had called the cops and was organizing a search party because I was not home yet. If I had a cell I would have saved her hours of worrying that I was dead. I was being stalked at the time.
I have a cell phone. I need it. I watch my grandkids and my daughter does not have a landline. My DGS got wedged between the footboard and mattress and I could not get him out. If I did not have my cell phone to call emergency services he would have been stuck there for a very long time.
There are people who abuse the cells, they are very distracted and they are rude. These people would probably be rude and distracted anyway. Technology changes and we as a society change with it, Sometimes for the better and sometimes the worse. I like having all the new gadgets. Rudeness was always around but society did not accept it as easily then, IMO.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

We gave up our landline about 6yrs ago and it was the best decision of my life.

With a land line my day today would have looked like this.

Up at 4:30
Drop DS at rink for 6am
Use pay phone to check in with DD
Leave school in a rush and wait outside school for kids before they get out
Get home 3pm
Answer phone - telemarketer
Start dinner with kids
Answer phone - DD friend
Back to dinner
Answer phone - Cadets for DS
Try to make dinner
Answer phone - telemarketer
etc...

Now with a cell
Up at 4:30
Drop DS at rink for 6am
Use cell phone to chat with DD
8am Read text from DD At School
9:30 am Read text from DS At School
Leave school, stop at store, call kids arrange meeting place down the road
Get home 3pm
Make dinner with kids
Eat dinner

I almost never answer my cell at home. I put it on silent when I get to school, and will leave it that way until I get home from work at 10pm. I swear with a landline people had a camera on my place and knew the second that I got home, not to mention 20 calls on my rare day off.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When I can home today, the construction guys hit the gas main 2 doors down on a model home they are building.

My 13yodd was inside the house, she had a half day of school. They would not let me down the street.

So I called her from my cell phone, told her to grab her coat and head out the backdoor.

I went around to the other street and then she jumped in the car and took off.

So without my cell I would not have been able to get to my dd.

Thank God for my cell phone today.

 

[pigletgirl]

If my car breaks down on the highway. If I need to get a hold of my parents....

lots and lots of reasons. Those are the biggest 2

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I can't live without my cell b/c we don't have a landline anymore...and haven't for about 4 years. Honestly don't miss the landline at all...no more solicitors, political calls, and far less wrong numbers.

I love having the peace of mind in my car as well. Knowing that AAA is just one speed dial away if I'm in an accident, or have car trouble.

FWIW, I don't text while I drive, or call out. I will, however, answer my phone to talk if it is someone I deem important.

 

[disykat]

Obviously he hasn't met me. When I was in HS, my family had a party line that we shared with 3 other families -- no idle chitchat allowed. I've never been a phone talker. I don't make calls unless I am forced to, and I was trained from childhood never to stay on the phone more than 3 minutes if at all possible.

This post cracked me up. As a physician, my dad needed to be available when he was "on call." (This was before pagers, call waiting, etc. even exisited) We had an egg timer next to the phone and the sand ran out at 3 minutes! My siblings and I were very obedient about it after the police showed up at the door because the hospital couldn't get through!

 

[Robinrs]

No, he just believes woman are programmed as young girls to never be alone. It doesn't take a genius, or a cave man to look around and see thats not to far off. Check out the books and magazine covers on how to find the perfect man, or how to be popular an have alot of friends. I happen to agree, and unfortunately there are plenty of women who fall into that trap, and maybe those are the ones that have their cells surgically attached to their ears or fingers. All I know is that when I look around, 90% of people on their cell are women. Back when I was in high school there weren't cell phones and we used to tie up our house phone for hours talking to our girl friends, and how great it was to have 3 way calling. I probably spent about 10 minutes on the phone with my boyfriend A cell just allows woman to be able to do that when they are out and about now.

Society may believe that but it's far from the truth in my world. In fact, society says LOTS of things that woman are and should be but it doesn't take away from the fact that that is a stereotypical nonsensical thought.

 

[C.Ann]

"Why could I NOT live without my cell phone?"

Easily.. I don't have one.. No need for it here at DD's - no cell service at the lake where I live the majority of the year..

Ironically, I was just at the doctor's office today.. They took all my vitals and low and behold, I AM alive - minus the cell phone!!!!

On a more serious note, DD is now totally disabled due to one of those "distracted" drivers gabbing on a cell phone while driving.. She has missed out on so many activities she used to be able to do; activities she used to be able to do with her DD; sports she used to enjoy with her DH; lost a career she loved - and for what? Because someone didn't have the common sense to pull over to the side of the road to have a meaningless conversation..

When used properly - and while showing a little common courtesy for people
around you - I have no problems with others using them.. I just don't have the need for one and really prefer not to spend a lot of time on the telephone ("any" telephone) anyhow.. When I was younger - 30's & 40's - I enjoyed chatting on the phone - but somewhere along the line I lost interest in it and I don't necessarily see that as a "bad" thing..

 

[BelleWDW]

"Why could I NOT live without my cell phone?"

Easily.. I don't have one.. No need for it here at DD's - no cell service at the lake where I live the majority of the year..

Ironically, I was just at the doctor's office today.. They took all my vitals and low and behold, I AM alive - minus the cell phone!!!!
]

Most older people don't "get" cell phones

Today I texted son a few times about a business meeting we had at lunch time

Later, when we were actually eating lunch I had a pleasant chat with a good friend of my other son who lives elsewhere. When i got home I texted him about the chat -he was at work and it wast lunch time-he texted me right back.

I have many days like that-texting small inconsequential things that keep me connected with my grown kids.....I feel much closer to them them daily then i did when i was their age with my Mom. All because of the cell phone!

 

[tae1218]

Ihave a 45 minute commute to work on back roads. i like knowing that i would be able to call dh if there ever was a problem. Also when DD gets home from school I am on my way home from work. She calls me to let me know how her day was and that everything is ok.

 

[luvmy3]

Society may believe that but it's far from the truth in my world. In fact, society says LOTS of things that woman are and should be but it doesn't take away from the fact that that is a stereotypical nonsensical thought.

The funny thing about stereotypes is that they exist for a reason, mostly because it is something that is generally observed in a collective. The only reason that it has a negative connotation is because people choose to make it negative. I could say 100 positive things about women in general, which is also stereotyping but thats never protested as such. Here are some stereotypes that are pretty common, women in general are more chatty than men, women in general are more concerned with being in a relationship than men are, women (more so young women) are more concerned with being popular, woman in general care more about their physical appearance, or at least how they appear to others, than men. It certainly doesn't mean that every single woman expresses such things but enough of them do that they have become stereotypes, and they all stem from the expectations put on them from society. In your world you can choose to ignore that there are in fact certain pressures on women and you can choose to ignore the fact that there are women who do fall prey to those pressures, but that doesn't make it any less true in THE world.

 

[disykat]

Most older people don't "get" cell phones

I'm not sure what you were trying to say here, but I had to chuckle because if I remember correctly, C.Ann is not that old!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I agree with you but this works both ways. Just a week ago, I was checking out at Joann Fabric. The checkout lady answered the telephone and instead of asking the caller to hold, continued helping them--going so far as to snap her fingers to get my attention and then pointing at the total amount due on the register instead of bothering to excuse herself to actually talk to me, the customer with money who was standing right in front of her.

I worked in retail for years and the rule at every place that I worked was that you never ignore the customer in front of you for someone on the telephone.

That sort of thing happened to me not long ago, too. I was in a hugely long customer service line, and the woman behind the counter kept answering the phone and helping the callers instead of the live customers. I came SO close to pulling out my cell phone phone and calling to ask her to my question!

...which I guess makes my answer to the OP, I love my cell phone! Seriously, though, I don't actually use it that much, but I would find it strange to give up. Even though I don't like to just chat on it, I love knowing it's there in case of an emergency, and I do use it to call home from the store (do we need ___?) or to check in if I'm going to be late.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most older people don't "get" cell phones

No, really - we "get" cell phones. We - and that's not restricted to 'older people' simply don't see the need to be actively attached to one 24/7. People say today's kids won't know how to write or spell due to texting? Many of today's adults don't seem to know how to interact with other, live humans within their immediate range. The phone call - even the one in the supermarket aisle to talk about the weather in St. Thomas - is apparently more important than interacting with the person trying to get to the shelf being blocked by the person on the phone.

 

[Mysteria]

I didn't have one until a couple of years ago when we decided to give up the landline. DH is a mailman, in the south Bronx, so for safety it's best he have one.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm not sure what you were trying to say here, but I had to chuckle because if I remember correctly, C.Ann is not that old!

LOL.. If you hadn't quoted that, I never would have "seen" it - for obvious reasons..

The ability to "get it" and not "wanting and/or needing it" are two entirely different issues - which I'm sure others (who are even "older" than me) would be able to comprehend quite easily - LOL..