Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
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Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#2For several years my wife and I refused to have a cell/mobile phone, until there was a rather unpleasant encounter. My wife was on her way to an appointment when the train stopped. Net result: 2 hour delay, and late for the appointment. No phones on the train, no way to make contact.
The person with whom she was meeting was incandescent, and entirely uncomprehending of her not having a phone. It was as if he refused to believe that she didn't have one, and thought she was being actively malicious.
So we relented.
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#3People don't get cell phones to keep things simple, but I love the simplicity of not having to plan my day ahead of time.
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#4I resisted until my business partner insisted and the company bought me one, which I still have.
I just recently got in trouble with a good friend over it though -- she is very much into the cell phone thing, and culturally, she considers it rude that I don't get back to her quickly -- she says the longest reasonable time is a return call that same day.
I, on the other hand, feel like someone calling doesn't obligate me to call back ever, never mind quickly. In this case, it's not a matter of ignoring her, it's a matter of simply not looking at my phone. I just can't wrap my mind around how having a piece of technology obligates me to use it.
I have a feeling I'm in a shrinking minority.
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#5I resisted until my business partner insisted and the company bought me one, which I still have. I just recently got in trouble with a good friend over it though -- she is very much into the cell phone thing, and culturally, she considers it rude that I don't get back to her quickly -- she says the longest reasonable time is a return call that same day. I, on the other hand, feel like someone calling doesn't obligate…
How are you with email? This is my attitude towards non-business communication as well.
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#6I resisted until my business partner insisted and the company bought me one, which I still have. I just recently got in trouble with a good friend over it though -- she is very much into the cell phone thing, and culturally, she considers it rude that I don't get back to her quickly -- she says the longest reasonable time is a return call that same day. I, on the other hand, feel like someone calling doesn't obligate…
I feel that unless the person calling leaves me a message indicating what they want it's not a high priority for me to get back to them. I'm not sure if that's the norm or not, I just figure if they don't leave a voicemail then it signals that it was just a casual call I can return or not at my leisure.
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#7For several years my wife and I refused to have a cell/mobile phone, until there was a rather unpleasant encounter. My wife was on her way to an appointment when the train stopped. Net result: 2 hour delay, and late for the appointment. No phones on the train, no way to make contact. The person with whom she was meeting was incandescent, and entirely uncomprehending of her not having a phone. It was as if he refused…
This is when you lie: "I am really, really sorry, my cell phone had no signal where we were stopped on the train." OR "I am really, really sorry, my charger stopped working last week and I just haven't had the time to get a new one." OR "I am really, really sorry, I called but I just kept getting a 'Number not in service' message."
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#8I resisted until my business partner insisted and the company bought me one, which I still have. I just recently got in trouble with a good friend over it though -- she is very much into the cell phone thing, and culturally, she considers it rude that I don't get back to her quickly -- she says the longest reasonable time is a return call that same day. I, on the other hand, feel like someone calling doesn't obligate…
I feel that unless the person calling leaves me a message indicating what they want it's not a high priority for me to get back to them. I'm not sure if that's the norm or not, I just figure if they don't leave a voicemail then it signals that it was just a casual call I can return or not at my leisure.
I agree. If someone wants something then they text or leave a message. Otherwise I assume it was just a "Hey, how are you?" kind of call.
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#9So mamy of these people cite the reason for not having a cell phone to be that they don't like the idea of being available all the time -- or some variant thereof.
GUESS WHAT!? YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER!!!!
Not available? Don't answer the call. Hell, put it on silent so you're not even tempted. Or, wait... is that... a power button!? I can turn it off when I don't want to be reached!?? And then turn it back on if for some reason I need it!???!? WOW!!! WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!
Idiots...
Re: Their Numbers Are Dropping - the Cellphone Refuseniks
#10For several years my wife and I refused to have a cell/mobile phone, until there was a rather unpleasant encounter. My wife was on her way to an appointment when the train stopped. Net result: 2 hour delay, and late for the appointment. No phones on the train, no way to make contact. The person with whom she was meeting was incandescent, and entirely uncomprehending of her not having a phone. It was as if he refused…
This is when you lie: "I am really, really sorry, my cell phone had no signal where we were stopped on the train." OR "I am really, really sorry, my charger stopped working last week and I just haven't had the time to get a new one." OR "I am really, really sorry, I called but I just kept getting a 'Number not in service' message."
That's the problem though, mobile communication seems to end up with so many lies, excuses, or reasons to fiddle the truth.. far more than any other medium. Sure, letters can get 'lost' in the post, an email can 'bounce' or 'sorry, it was marked as spam', but the level of active dishonesty around mobiles is crazy.