I've been debating getting a smartphone for sometime now, not necessarily because I'm enamored with the idea, but I've used the same antiquated cell phone for at least four years.
The battery doesn't hold a charge, the camera is fuzzy, it "mutes" with no warning, etc. --my list of complaints is long, suffice it to say, it is probably time for me to get a new phone.
And let's face it, I am the last person on earth still using a "dumb" phone! Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it certainly seems that way.
The battery doesn't hold a charge, the camera is fuzzy, it "mutes" with no warning, etc. --my list of complaints is long, suffice it to say, it is probably time for me to get a new phone.
And let's face it, I am the last person on earth still using a "dumb" phone! Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it certainly seems that way.
When my daughter started her not-so-subtle hints about her need for a smartphone. "I'm the last college student on earth" ...sound familiar? Well, there is no way she's getting one before me. Hey, I'm the grown-up, and the Mom, and, oh yeah, I have a job and pay the bills.
So discounting the complaints from her, and the encouragement from my son, ("Mom, how are you going to use a smartphone when you can't even figure out the one you have now.") Kids!
So discounting the complaints from her, and the encouragement from my son, ("Mom, how are you going to use a smartphone when you can't even figure out the one you have now.") Kids!
Putting aside the whole iPhone vs. Android debate, heck, it's like trying to compare apples to bananas, I have been looking at my options.
I'll be able to multi-task and I am sure it will help me be a more efficient person, right?
There is still something holding me back, well, two things if you count my budget. I don't want to become one of those people I find so annoying,
I'll be able to multi-task and I am sure it will help me be a more efficient person, right?
There is still something holding me back, well, two things if you count my budget. I don't want to become one of those people I find so annoying,
While I can get behind technology and the amazing capabilities we now have, literally, at our fingertips, I also feel these phones are reshaping our society and not always in the most flattering ways.
No offense to my many friends who have already taken the plunge into the iOS/ OS (mobile operating system) pool. I have nothing against smartphones per se, however, there are more and more examples of people exhibiting rude behavior because of them.
It is no longer only the teenagers or young adults who are mesmerized by these magical devices that combine phones with Internet access. We no longer have to get carried away and lose hours of time on the Internet at home. No,now we can take the Internet with us everywhere we go.
More often than not, the college students and even the "mature" women where I work, have their smartphones out checking Facebook or Twitter at lunchtime. It's amazing how well they can eat with one hand while the other is busy swiping their phones. Long gone is the lunchroom chit-chat.
My fear is that it is fast becoming the norm--perfectly acceptable for people to have an inappropriate conversation while in a line at the grocery store, mall, movie theater, restaurant, etc.
No offense to my many friends who have already taken the plunge into the iOS/ OS (mobile operating system) pool. I have nothing against smartphones per se, however, there are more and more examples of people exhibiting rude behavior because of them.
It is no longer only the teenagers or young adults who are mesmerized by these magical devices that combine phones with Internet access. We no longer have to get carried away and lose hours of time on the Internet at home. No,now we can take the Internet with us everywhere we go.
More often than not, the college students and even the "mature" women where I work, have their smartphones out checking Facebook or Twitter at lunchtime. It's amazing how well they can eat with one hand while the other is busy swiping their phones. Long gone is the lunchroom chit-chat.
My fear is that it is fast becoming the norm--perfectly acceptable for people to have an inappropriate conversation while in a line at the grocery store, mall, movie theater, restaurant, etc.
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Have many details do we really need to hear about someone's "private" life? Remember when conversations were private?
I work in a teacher-parent store. I can't tell you how many times we have someone in the store "shopping" but can't end their super important conversation about last night's TV program or what's for dinner. I don't want to hear it--and I'm pretty sure the other customers, those who aren't on their phones, prefer to shop with peace and quiet.
It bugs me and I think it's rude for someone to get in line to check-out, but doesn't have the common courtesy to hang up. Are they expecting me to handle the entire transaction without interacting with me? Not at my register, after twenty-two years, I stop, simply smile and loudly say I will continue when you hang up.
I work in a teacher-parent store. I can't tell you how many times we have someone in the store "shopping" but can't end their super important conversation about last night's TV program or what's for dinner. I don't want to hear it--and I'm pretty sure the other customers, those who aren't on their phones, prefer to shop with peace and quiet.
It bugs me and I think it's rude for someone to get in line to check-out, but doesn't have the common courtesy to hang up. Are they expecting me to handle the entire transaction without interacting with me? Not at my register, after twenty-two years, I stop, simply smile and loudly say I will continue when you hang up.
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Sometimes it is not a question of rudeness, but, rather safety. We all know the dangers of texting and/or "multi-tasking" while driving.
My husband didn't get a cell phone for years. While his co-workers were experienced Blackberry users--he was still content with the old fashioned land line. Eventually he acquiesced. Though I still remember him saying how he didn't want to be accessible to everyone 24/7. I remind of this when he gets a text at 7:00 a.m. on a Sunday.
We can't even enjoy the simple things in life without cellphones in our midst, or more accurately without encountering a person attached to their cellphone.
I recently joined a gym--you know, New Year's resolutions and all--and sure enough there are people with smartphones. I guess there is an App for exercise. Really.
My husband didn't get a cell phone for years. While his co-workers were experienced Blackberry users--he was still content with the old fashioned land line. Eventually he acquiesced. Though I still remember him saying how he didn't want to be accessible to everyone 24/7. I remind of this when he gets a text at 7:00 a.m. on a Sunday.
We can't even enjoy the simple things in life without cellphones in our midst, or more accurately without encountering a person attached to their cellphone.
I recently joined a gym--you know, New Year's resolutions and all--and sure enough there are people with smartphones. I guess there is an App for exercise. Really.
 Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE the movies, and they also know how I HATE any noise distracting me during my movie. Now I have the added frustration of people who do not put away their smartphones. My eyes can and will zero in on those sporadic glows in the theater. |   |
Is no place sacred?
What finally prompted me to write this article was something that happened in my own home just a few weeks ago. I was hosting some girlfriends and as we gathered in my family room towards the end of the evening, but not the end of the night. Four out of the eight women had their smartphones out. For me, that was the end of the evening.
They had no idea how that made me feel. I know with 100% certainty they would never have wanted to be rude. They are all wonderful, caring women.
So where do we draw the line? I recently saw a post on Facebook challenging a group of friends to put their phones face down, in a pile in the middle of the table the next time they go out to a restaurant. I think the first person to pick up their phone had to buy.
Perhaps I am not the only person who thinks smartphones have become a obtrusive appendage. Are we better off now than we were twenty-five years ago? I'll let you ponder this question while I go answer the phone.
They had no idea how that made me feel. I know with 100% certainty they would never have wanted to be rude. They are all wonderful, caring women.
So where do we draw the line? I recently saw a post on Facebook challenging a group of friends to put their phones face down, in a pile in the middle of the table the next time they go out to a restaurant. I think the first person to pick up their phone had to buy.
Perhaps I am not the only person who thinks smartphones have become a obtrusive appendage. Are we better off now than we were twenty-five years ago? I'll let you ponder this question while I go answer the phone.
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Remember this?
It was my very first phone!
Remember this? My very first phone!
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