My dh is just starting a house. Then land has been cleared and a crew is putting up forms for the poured basement walls, so there are about 10 men working there right now. Every single one of them has a cell phone, and they talk on them all the time.
Personally, if I was paying them, I would not allow a cell phone on my job. I don't want to pay someone for talking on the phone all the time.
Plus, how can they all afford it? They do not have good paying jobs. One guy told my dh, that his wife had run up over a $1000 phone bill last month. I don't understand this cell phone craze at all. I also heard on tv, that text messaging while driving is now considered more dangerous than drunk driving.
No, I don't have a cell phone, nor do I want one!
Does everyone have a cell phone??
August 6th, 2009 at 06:41 pm
August 6th, 2009 at 06:46 pm 1249580819
August 6th, 2009 at 07:17 pm 1249582658
I don't have a clue how to text and I mostly use it for emergency, but also to keep in contact with my family. I don't give my cell phone # to anyone outside my family. We also use it in lieu of long distance service on the landline. I'd probably drop the landline, but I don't like to use my phone for day to day stuff. Then the minutes start to add up. I also don't need to be interrupted during the day, nor do I need to be 100% reachable. When we moved here a decade ago, the cells were an excellent deal for long distance though.
& I hear parents of teens are wise to stay connected to their kids with text. So we may get more wired as our children age.
What I don't understand is the whole twitter phenomenen - via cell phone. Look at me - I'm in line. I'm sitting in a traffic jam. I'm at Disneyland. I don't like to be plugged in 24/7, and believe me, I like to be online. But being connected all the time is a bit much for me. I was just seeing some show or documentary that mentioned teens aren't getting enough sleep because they twit and text all night, etc.
August 6th, 2009 at 08:32 pm 1249587159
People who run up $1,000 bills when they can't afford it or text while driving are irresponsible. And they are probably irresponsible with a lot of things. But that doesn't mean that cell phones are bad.
I too don't understand the twitter craze. Why do I want to know everything my friends are doing? That's a little too connected for me.
August 6th, 2009 at 09:09 pm 1249589398
August 6th, 2009 at 09:10 pm 1249589418
August 6th, 2009 at 09:17 pm 1249589848
I also pay for the cell phone for my mom because I can afford it better than her. Putting another line on my plan is 9.99 a month. it is important because as she ages and still wants to travel (she is almost 70 and very health) my sisters and I want her to be able to communicate with is any place she is, with out worrying about her or how to pay for it.
We are also teaching her to text message. It is important because text messages might be the only thing working if the cell towers are damaged in some kind of emergency. text messages are sent like little data packets and are so small and on a different system than cell phones that the packages will still go through. She is having fun learning how to do it.
I carry my phone with me always. I choose when and if i want to answer it. Just because I have it does not mean I am always available.
I also have a blackberry cell phone for work stuff. I am probably one of the few people who do not use it for personal things at all. it is for work and i work for the state, it could be audited at any time.
so, yeah i carry to phones but only answer them when I want (and when I am on duty for work obivously).
August 6th, 2009 at 10:23 pm 1249593816
August 6th, 2009 at 11:29 pm 1249597776
So it is a "must have" item for a mobile lifestyle, but probably not necessary except for emergencies for those who rarely travel or who who have a lifestyle whereby they stick pretty close to home land lines most of the time. Even the once plentiful public pay phone is a disappearing artifact!!
August 7th, 2009 at 02:59 am 1249610345
In CA, we also have a basic landline, but in ID we only use our cells. Our family plan is reasonable and I understand why many people are opting for only cellular service.
But having cell phones is not for everyone, especially because some folks don't need one... their landline serves the purpose. It's a matter of choice and economics. Three of our four children only use cell phones because it's more economically feasible given their needs.
What is amazing to me is that in our travels to developing countries like Guatemala, so many people have cell phones... even people who earn minimum wage. Prepaid phones are used a lot. Running up a $1,000 phone bill is irresponsible like Cassandra said. Someone recently told me they had run up an $800 bill while roamimg in another country... they didn't know it would be so high. People need to do their homework about possible charges rather than just using their phone any time any place.
I do think texting is becoming more and more popular with a lot of people and I do use it occasionally, especially if I'm in a place where phoning is not appropriate. Driving while texting should be outlawed! It has been the cause of many serious accidents.
I'm with monkeymama on the Twitter phenom/fad... yawn... who cares what people are doing every moment of their day? I think it's weird to be connected 24/7, but live and let live.
August 7th, 2009 at 05:15 am 1249618528
August 7th, 2009 at 06:45 am 1249623911
I've called for emergencies or if I missed the bus to get to work. I've found that I call sister a bit more with the cell phone. I've discovered I'm a master at the 50 sec phone call (you're charged a minute as soon you connect, so 50-55 sec is ideal).
I did discover an actual, decent use for twitter. I don't send messages, but it turns out that the Seattle Police Dept, and all the transportation entities (Seattle, King County, new light rail) all send out tweets. Useful to grab them with your cellphone to find out where the shooting, stabbing, construction area, or accident is... but that's not really useful when you are in the midst of doing work.
Its funny how somehow with a cellphone its all banal conversations without executive decision making. Its all this scenario: kid misbehaves, parent dials other parent for ... handholding or ? Or when confronted with a choice at the grocery store... dial because I'm frightened that I'll pick wrong? Ha ha. Make a decision or do an action, and we will live with it.
August 7th, 2009 at 02:57 pm 1249653443
I have one, a tracfone ($9), that I put minutes on once a year (usally $30ish) and that is for my emergency use all year. I do not give the number out to anyone other than immediate family and I do not keep it on as a normal practice unless I'm taking a car trip or something. I use very few minutes a month, sometimes none. It doesn't have to be expensive ImaSaver. But, I'm with you, I wouldn't want my workers on the horn all the time when they are supposed to be working for me.
August 7th, 2009 at 03:27 pm 1249655239
August 8th, 2009 at 07:10 am 1249711813
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August 14th, 2009 at 09:57 pm 1250283464
September 1st, 2009 at 05:17 am 1251778660
I use my phone for email, GPS, instant messaging, calendar, texting, Googling, pictures, and Facebook. Occasionally calling (not much though).