Heard statement re:cell phone

[LoveTulips]

I have a landline and that is it! I don't need nor want a cell phone. When I am out I don't want to be bothered by a phone call. If I am not home and you call me, you can leave a message and I will get back to you, or you can call back later.

I do really agree with you, and I have no one to text to. The only thing is that I keep my cell phone in case I'm in trouble. I don't drive so I walk and take transit everywhere. I sprained my ankle once, could not put weight on it, no one was around so I called hubby to pick me up. And if I were feeling unsafe somewhere, I could call the police. And hubby refuses to have a cell phone and I do worry when he is out and about without me.

 

[IKE]

At mama's insistence we've had a flip phones for a few years and she turns hers on and puts in in her pocket every time she leaves the house but mine just sits on the dining room table collecting dust.....I very rarely ever carry mine.

DIL and son gifted us a new I-phone with Verizon a couple years ago (and pay the monthly bill) and I bet I haven't spent twenty minutes total messing around with it.

Our main phone is still our landline.

 

[outlander]

I like my flip phone. No Google/Android or Apple, it has GPS/maps and wi-fi, both can be physically turned off.

I want to live my life focused on my actual enviroment so I can savor every detail and nuance.

Worrying about alerts, notifications, and expected to be instantly available is just stressful and distracting. While using a smartphone seems very convenient and essential, for me it takes away from observing the beauty of the world and dilutes real time experiences. Depending on a smartphone for everything is going to reduce your self reliance skills and ability to interact completely with your present situation/circumstances.

 

[Imogene]

@KSav posted some scary stuff regarding the need for a smartphone to do anything in her building. I would not live someplace like that for a number of safety reasons.

I do have a smart phone, but it does not rule my life any worse than what a flip phone would do.

For me it’s a handy useful tool the same as a flip phone. I carry it with me all the time. One never knows in the barn when there’s an emergency and I need to use it.

Before the days of portable phones, I had a dial phone in the barn in case of an emergency. Carrying a small device on my person is a step up in my opinion, but it is a long way from ruling my life.

When the day comes that my old 12 series smart phone stops working, I will probably go back to a flip phone because I’m not paying the kind of money for a new smart phone that they are asking in this day and age.

 

[Bretrick]

I do not have a smart phone.
The only reason I have a phone at all is incase my vehicle breaks down I can call the RAC.

 

[Tommy]

I've probably told this story before so won't repeat the whole thing, but the shorter version . . .

About an hour from home. Unexpectedly lost my eyesight. Was able to phone for help only because I could FEEL the buttons on my flip phone.

Try THAT with your "smart" phone!

 

[bobcat]

I've probably told this story before so won't repeat the whole thing, but the shorter version . . .

About an hour from home. Unexpectedly lost my eyesight. Was able to phone for help only because I could FEEL the buttons on my flip phone.

Try THAT with your "smart" phone!

Respectfully, it's not a problem if you have Google Assistant set up on your Android phone, or Siri set up on your Iphone..
Just tell it who to call, or 911 if necessary.

 

[JustDave]

I love smartphones, with my one small phone I am carrying maps, books, movies, communication, camera, museum/event tickets, etc.

Obviously I'm not a fan of idiots who try to text and drive. I haven't noticed what many complain of about people looking at their phones all the time, I only see that happening on public transit, and it isn't any different than reading a paper book or newspaper in the old days.

They can be handy. I prefer my computer way more, but sometimes you don't have a desktop computer with you.

 

[Nathan]

I've probably told this story before so won't repeat the whole thing, but the shorter version . . .

About an hour from home. Unexpectedly lost my eyesight. Was able to phone for help only because I could FEEL the buttons on my flip phone.

Try THAT with your "smart" phone!

Most smartphones can do voice commands. I usually don't use Voice, but one time while driving the freeway in heavy rain I told my phone to dial up my business partner, so I could let her know I wasn't going to join the meeting.

 

[That Lady in PA]

I like my flip phone. No Google/Android or Apple, it has GPS/maps and wi-fi, both can be physically turned off.

I want to live my life focused on my actual enviroment so I can savor every detail and nuance.

Worrying about alerts, notifications, and expected to be instantly available is just stressful and distracting.

You can do the same with a smart phone.

Alerts and notifications can be turned off (mine are)... and you are just as instantly available with either phone.

 

[That Lady in PA]

About an hour from home. Unexpectedly lost my eyesight. Was able to phone for help only because I could FEEL the buttons on my flip phone.

Try THAT with your "smart" phone!

No need to feel for buttons when you can just tell it who to call.

 

[KSav]

I like my flip phone. No Google/Android or Apple, it has GPS/maps and wi-fi, both can be physically turned off.

I want to live my life focused on my actual enviroment so I can savor every detail and nuance.

Worrying about alerts, notifications, and expected to be instantly available is just stressful and distracting. While using a smartphone seems very convenient and essential, for me it takes away from observing the beauty of the world and dilutes real time experiences. Depending on a smartphone for everything is going to reduce your self reliance skills and ability to interact completely with your present situation/circumstances.

That's why I turn off all alerts and notifications and keep my phone muted 24/7, unless I am expecting a call from my father. I never use it for GPS, and I can turn my WiFi on and off, too.

One thing I do love about having a phone is that my older daughter can, and does, send photos and videos of the grandchildren every couple of days. That's always a mood-brightener.

@Imogene; I'm with you. If I had known when I moved in a couple of years ago that we'd all be moving to app-controlled locks I would have chosen a different place.

 

[outlander]

You can do the same with a smart phone.

Alerts and notifications can be turned off (mine are)... and you are just as instantly available with either phone.

That's true. But if you are going to turn off your smartphone features, why use a smartphone?

I don't carry my flip phone with me at home. It stays on my table/desk where it is often out of earshot.
I'll occasionally check it for a missed call or a text.

 

[That Lady in PA]

That's true. But if you are going to turn off your smartphone features, why use a smartphone?

I did not say to turn off all the features.

One uses a smartphone because of all the things it can do for you.

You said: "Worrying about alerts, notifications, and expected to be instantly available is just stressful and distracting."
I was letting you know those "stressful and distracting" things that you think will cause you worry can be turned off.

 

[outlander]

Except for Google/Apple tracking and data collecting

 

[MACKTEXAS]

When I had a landline phone, I got unwanted solicitor calls every day, sometimes as many as 30 in one day. I get some even on my cell phone, but I average 1-2 a day, and generally they have no idea who they've called. I can tell because when (rarely) they leave a message, it's usually something like a warning that unless I call back, my Comcast account is going to be disconnected. Comcast isn't even available in my area.

 

[Fritz]

When I had a landline phone, I got unwanted solicitor calls every day, sometimes as many as 30 in one day. I get some even on my cell phone, but I average 1-2 a day, and generally they have no idea who they've called. I can tell because when (rarely) they leave a message, it's usually something like a warning that unless I call back, my Comcast account is going to be disconnected. Comcast isn't even available in my area.

does your phone have any options to block those calls? if so that would help. i get no spam calls now.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

does your phone have any options to block those calls? if so that would help. i get no spam calls now.

Yes, I can block calls, but these days most numbers are "spoofed" (a different number from what shows on called I.D.) - > as I posted here sometime ago.

Also, there are occasions when a legitimate call comes through from someone I do business with who has chosen to call from another number. This has happened with my doctor's office. Now, they can leave a voicemail, and I can call them back, but when I do, they may not be available, so we're playing phone tag.

Whether or not I answer an unknown call usually depends on my mood at the time it comes in.

 

[Fritz]

@MACKTEXAS I've noticed most of mine came from the same set of numbers. I got them all blocked the calls stopped. On occasion if I know I'm expecting a call then I will answer. Just keep blocking them when you find out they're spammers. It should hopefully settle down.

 

[StarSong]

I don't need to answer unknown numbers just in case it's an important call, I can swipe for my phone carrier to screen the call. 90% of spam callers hang up as soon as they hear the call is being screened. Legitimate callers leave messages. Just a few seconds into their messages - as soon as I hear who it is - I swipe to accept the call.

My cell phone is a wonderful tool. I can stay in touch with my loved ones, view my security cameras remotely, use GPS, check my grocery lists, get urgent weather, earthquake and fire updates, and so much more. If my phone is being intrusive, I put it to sleep for an hour or more, in which case only local emergency services and my designated emergency contacts will override that setting.

 

[Trade]

I don't need a smart phone. My flip phone does more stuff than I will ever use. I can make a phone call. Send a short text. See what the time, date and day of the week is and time things with the stopwatch or timer. That's enough for me.

 

[Imogene]

I did not say to turn off all the features.

One uses a smartphone because of all the things it can do for you.

You said: "Worrying about alerts, notifications, and expected to be instantly available is just stressful and distracting."
I was letting you know those "stressful and distracting" things that you think will cause you worry can be turned off.

Yes. All I have turned on are the the weather alerts and my morning alarm. there has been more than one occasion my area has been put on alert for tornadoes. That’s when I make sure my phone is completely charged and sometimes if it’s close enough, I’ll go sit in the closet because I don’t have a basement.

The smart phone is a good tool when it’s used to the owners best benefit. Then there’s also the carrier that comes in to play.

I left Verizon for T-Mobile because T-Mobile was less money and touted how good their coverage was. It wasn’t that great when I crushed my skull wide open in March 2024 down at the barn and couldn’t get service to call for help. I switched back to Verizon because I can be standing in the middle of my metal barn and still get service with them. They cost more money but how much is your life worth when you really need the phone to work.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I don't need to answer unknown numbers just in case it's an important call, I can swipe for my phone carrier to screen the call.

I'm glad you mentioned that - I have the same feature on my phone. I used it a long time ago, but forgot all about it. I think I'll see if I can bring it back up and start using it again.

 

[January]

I did not say to turn off all the features.

One uses a smartphone because of all the things it can do for you.

You said: "Worrying about alerts, notifications, and expected to be instantly available is just stressful and distracting."
I was letting you know those "stressful and distracting" things that you think will cause you worry can be turned off.

And just adding to this point - you can turn them on and off when it suits you, for example have permanent off during night hours or turn off temporarily if you don't want t o be disturbed for whatever reason.
And set notifications from some things and not others.

It isn't all or nothing.