A Little Too Wired If You Ask ME
I have a confession to make.
I do not own a cell phone. Well unless you count the Trac Phone I just bought for my trip and that I'm going to return because I didn't like it. My husband doesn't have one either. He doesn't like the "we have to be on demand for anyone who wants us" sort of thing. We have an old fashioned phone with a message machine on it at home, so it's not like we're not connected or anything. We're just not connected 24/7 and I rather like it that way.
How did we manage to live this long without owning a cell? That's what everyone wants to know. Nowadays everyone has one and couldn't get along without it. Good golly even first graders have cells now.
Now, I do see where it can be of value of course. My three boys each got theirs when they went to college. It's very good for that especially since they traveled to and fro over the years. It came in really handy when Bobby was fleeing for his life during the Katrina episode in New Orleans. In fact, he just got that cell two days or so before and he was actually a post grad by then. I'm sure it's good for emergencies. I've never needed one yet tho. I've had a couple of small accidents and one flat tire that I can think of. Usually I just go to the nearest house or business and call someone. The old fashion way.
Maybe I'm out of touch, maybe I'm a crank but I do have lots of complaints about them. You go into the grocery store and people are in turmoil about what brand of corn they have to buy. It's like can't you make this decision yourself? Who are they checking in with to make this big momentous decision anyhow? What would ever happen if they brought home the wrong can of peas? Who was it that said that Lindbergh flew over the Atlantic without a radio, but we need to remain in constant contact as we roam the produce section for honeydew melons?
What are the kids doing with their cells? From what I understand they are text messaging their friends while they ignore their parent's calls. We've already got a dose of that broadcast all over kingdom come with Alex and his 12 year old. This gets played out daily all across the world I'm sure. Kids don't want to talk to their parents. They want instant communication with their friends. Hahahah, I'd say let their friends pay for the phone then. Cells are not cheap especially if you go over your minutes.
I read this week that more than 230 million Americans now have wireless communication. That's 76% of the population. So what does that make me? Well......let's see......I guess part of the 24% of the rest of the population. Am I a holdout? Am I just being stubborn? Well I admit I'm not usually the one that has to have the latest gadget down the pike. I've saved myself lots of grief over the years by NOT rushing out and paying big bucks for the latest fad. And those times I've just had to have something new out there usually I find is gathering dust not long after like the fancy shaver years ago that all the ladies had to have. It didn't just cut the hair off your legs but pulled the individual hairs right out. Yes, it hurt , burned and reddened the skin a bit, but not having to shave so often was the ploy so, it was worth it....or so we thought. I'm quite sure that's still upstairs in under alot of other stuff in the cupboard under the sink. It's been there all 10 years I've lived here. Think I should throw it?
Everyone I know has a cell but me. Well my grandmother doesn't. But then again, she doesn't have a computer either. I guess I just don't get why people have to be constantly in touch. For some it's a definite neurotic compulsion. I've seen that up close and it's not pretty. I mean for some, the minute they get in the car and turn on the ignition the phone goes to the ear. Is this really necessary?
They say that people who have not succumbed to the lure of a cell can generally be divided into several categories. One would be "Being Reachable 24/7 Creeps Me Out," (that's me) another would be "Get off the Freakin Phone and Drive, You Idiot," (well that's me too). Actually you can just fill in the blank on that last one. Just substitute the word "drive" and put in "shop" "move" ""pump gas" TALK TO ME" etc.
I would love to see cells outlawed in cars while driving, in grocery store lines and at the gas station for just starters. I read of an account where there was a young lady putting her groceries on the belt and talking on the phone the whole time. She actually asked the cashier to wait while she finished up her phone call leaving others in line very angry to say the least. At least one person told her she was very rude. I guess they had to wait three or four minutes for her to finish her conversation.
I also wonder about people who want to broadcast their conversations. I think it's kind of odd myself. I found myself at the airport trying to read but had to give it up. Everyone all around me was talking on their cells. Sure, I had my new Trac Phone (that I'm returning) in my pocket but it was just to let my husband and son know how and where I was at different destinations. I think the longest call was about three minutes tops. So anyway, I'm trying to read, but couldn't. I kept hearing key words that would get my attention. I was trying NOT to listen but I couldn't help it. It was overriding my book. I found myself reading over sections I'd already read, so I just gave it up.
Oh, I'll probably break down one of these days and get one. If I do, I don't want to be like the other "cell people" out there. Mine will either stay in my car for emergencies or home where I'll use it to cut the getting higher cost of my antique land line phone. I've already been told there's a way that I can have the return number that pops up on the receipiant's caller I.D. to be my home phone number. I like that idea. I wouldn'tt want anyone to have my cell number other than my husband and boys.
But until then, I am very happily disconnected.