The other day, my husband and I were watching a pair at a restaurant. It was apparently a man in his early 20s with his grandmother. The whole time the guy wasn't spooning food into his mouth, he was texting on his stupid cell phone. He absolutely could not take his fingers off that d*m*ed phone! My husband and I were both just appauled by this kid's rudeness!

I never hardly talk on the phone...I almost have a phone phobia actually. I get a knot in my stomach when someone calls or texts me! UGH! I hate it!

Jan laughs at me when she is checking the cell phone bill. On average I use about 12 minutes a month, and probably half of those calls are me sitting here at the computer and calling her....when she answers I say,,,"Is this room service and can I get a cup of coffee sent over to the computer room?"

Mine is with me all the time. One never knows at my age when I might need to call for help. My home phone is used for the computer. I do not text and I never have. I talk on my phone several times a day. If I could I would do away with my home phone.

Sue

I pay $45 a month for mine and hardly ever use it, it's turned off and in the letter holder on the desk most of the time. BUT - when I do want to grab the phone and stick it in my back pocket when I go out the door, I'm glad I have it. Jut that bit of security, and more often than not I've ended up calling someone, either from a disabled car or in a store looking at some item that a friend may be interested in knowing about. Also use it for long distance calls. I don't text.

I'm first in line to have mine surgically implanted into my arm.

I live and die by my phone - it's used for work and for home. I'm expected to get and respond to work emails every day (yes, even weekends and on holidays and during my vacations).

I send and receive only about 30 or so texts every day...

The phone is my portal to the world.

I read downloaded library books on it, play games (yes, even Angry Birds - but also Chess, etc.), do my banking, surf the Internet...

The apps I have make my life easier: I can check into flights using the Southwest App, show my electronic boarding pass (at some airports). I have travel apps that tell me about delayed flights, what gate I need to be at, where my connecting flight's gate is, etc. I have hotel apps for the two I stay at most, allowing me to make reservations with a simple touch on the screen.

I have an app called "keyring" that has all of my store-discount cards (CVS, Kroger, PetSmart, OfficeMax, Michaels, etc.) so I don't have to have the cards with me. Another app gives me my news on the run so I don't have to grab a local paper or watch TV.

I can set my DVR to record shows and watch them on my phone.

I rip movies to my computer and transfer them to my phone so I can watch them in-flight or at the gym.

Came back to add - we don't even have a landline phone in our house anymore. :)

I hate when I am out with someone and they are taking calls or reading text messages while we are in the middle of a conversation or a meal. My own daughter and a couple of my friends are bad about this.

I have a Tracfone which I only use when I am out. I probably don't use more than 15 minutes a month on it and have sent maybe 20 text messages my entire life. lol

Thanks for the "keyring" app. Just added it. 2 of my keyringers will not go on it. Local library and local grocery.
Kathy G in MI

You may have to manually enter those, Kathyg. :)

I left mine at work and am phoneless this weekend. Not happy about this, but I'm surviving.

However, I'm not on it all the time, texting, gaming or whatever folks do.

I use it to keep in touch with my family, and in emergencies.

Not me. I don't have one and don't want one. I have a landline at home. Like arkansasgirl I've had an odd case of phone phobia all my life. I don't like to make or answer calls. I'd far rather e-mail people on my laptop.

I use mine nearly every day but I try not to keep it near me unless I need to actively use it.

Mine is the glove box in my car and rarely used. In fact I forget to turn it on. 13 years ago I used mine more than today. I have free calling around the country from FIOS, keep in touch with friends on the internet, and don't feel the need to gab and be in touch all the time. I have two desk tops, one lap top, and iPod touch to keep me tuned in.

I have a Tracfone just to have with me when I'm out alone.
Don't want to do the texting...son just shakes his head and laughs at me...lol!

Still have a landline...always will. I'm talking on the phone less and less though these days and using the computer more and more for just about everything...it's great once you get used to it.

I have a Tracfone that I carry for emergencies, but I've never used it for conversation.

The Internet, however, is umbilically attached to me...that's how I communicate for the most part. :)

Not mine. We have one...somewhere. I hate it, don't know how to use it and don't want to know. We felt a need for one when we vacationed for a month in Florida 5 years ago. Bought a Trac phone, it filled our needs. Keep buying minutes for it (that never get used) just to have it with us when we are out and about in our antique car. We do have Onstar in our van and that is enough. I have no need nor do I want to be at the worlds beck and call.

I have one, but it's dead 90% of the time. I have OnStar in the car and a land line, so I'm good, imho.

Michelle, I agree with you 100%. I'm sick of being bombarded by dozens of one-sided, inane, private conversations in public.

I do understand people needing to be in contact with children, spouses, work. etc., but there are unobtrusive ways to use a phone. The "phone stuck in the ear; yelling silly conversations out to the world; I can't have five minutes without a phone call" people drive me mad.

I listened to one woman having a loud, ranting call in the grocery story. The topic was choosing Brand A catfood over Brand B catfood. The price difference was less than 5-cents. She went on and on and on and on trying to decide which she should get.

Now - forgetting the long post I just made about "Southern Manners and Graciousness, - here's what I really wanted to do. I had an overwhelming urge to knock the phone out of her hand; deposit it into a handy body cavity; drag her out of the pet-food aisle by her hair; and tell her she didn't have enough brains to feed a cat, much less own one. On reflection, I suppose that would not have been very "mannerly" or "gracious." LOL.

Seriously, I truly wanted to body slam her and destroy the phone just to shut her up.

In my defense, I didn't. But in my heart I wanted to. Could this be "phone rage"? LOL

I watched a young couple in a nicer restauant; they were obviously "on a date." During their drinks and appetizers she was on the phone, making calls, receiving calls, sending texts. He was (trying) to have a conversation with her. He didn't touch a phone the entire time; he was attentive and charming. They ordered dinner - while she was texting.

The waitress brought the food - she was talking to someone else. She talking on the phone, shoveling food in her mouth, nodding at him, talking on the phone.

He excused himself and went toward the restrooms...and out the door...into his car...and drove off. I wanted to applaud him. She was left there with egg on her face, talking on the phone, and with the bill.

It served her right.

I have a cell phone, a dinasaur model, and I do use it, sometimes a lot. It proves useful especially during our brutal winters.

I do not use it when I'm in a social situation; I keep it on "vibrate" or "silent." I won't answer it if I'm in a store shoppping. I won't answer it if I'm watching TV at home or on the computer. If I go for coffee with the girls, the phone is turned off. The world will continue to function for 30 minutes without my help.

If I must make a call, and this has happened maybe twice in five years, I excuse myself, go into the lobby, restroom, or out to my car, and make the call.

I love, and hate, cell phones.

Since neither me nor my husband have a cell-phone, there's no "attachment". We have one land-line phone in the house & that's it. Neither of us are big telephone persons to start with, & use mostly email when necessary.

When I'm out front gardening or such, I notice that just about every person going by is chatting on a cell-phone or is using some other electronic gadget.I figure there's a lot of people out there who are afraid (or even terrified) to be alone with their thoughts.

One of the funniest (or maybe saddest) sights I saw recently was four teenage girls, walking together in unison, each one yaking to other people on their cell-phones.

I have one through Virgin mobile, one you pay very little or pay for what you use and for me that's very little...We got the dumb thing when we were delivering Meals on Wheels, to use as an emergency, which we did....Now, half the time, I forget where it's at...My grand daughter did show me how to text but if and when I ever would, I'd be too slow......
WHAT DID PEOPLE DO BEFORE CELL PHONES?????

I have a Virgin Mobile, too, which costs very little; there's no contract, and minutes have to be added only every 3 months. I usually have lots of time to carry over for the next 3 month period. I text once in awhile, if I want to communicate with my granddaughters. They're both young mothers and have little time for "real" phone calls. The main reason for having the cell phone is for security and contacting DH when I'm delayed.

It doesn't bother me to see people talking on them in stores, etc. I don't see it as being any different than two people in an aisle talking or discussing something.

I do hate people who talk and drive though. 99% of the stupid drivers I see have a cell phone to their ear and are completely oblivious to how recklessly they are driving. I hate it.

I've talked before about cells. I have a prepaid. To me, in this day when you can have a cell for a few dollars a month (and for most people, that's all you need), it's ridiculous for any (especially) older person to not have one when they travel. I usually have it on me when I'm outside, getting mail or whatever in case I fall or something. Gives me a comfort when traveling in the event of trouble. It's convenient to use when out and about if I decide to pop in on someone Ic an call and see if they're home before wasting ga at $3-$4/gal. However I can't see paying $30-$200 a month for one. I could see a certain potential for advantages to a smart phone sometime in the future but prices need to come down first. I'm trying out a tablet to see if there's advantages for me. People that have to check messages & texts immediately are sick people with the possible exception of someone waiting for an organ transplant (in which case they *are* sick!) or a doctor who's on call for emergencies.

Caroline, I would be pleased to be on your jury if you did what you wanted to! :) And 'twer I, you would *not* be convicted!

AFAIC it's getting to the point where we're very close to a justifiable homocide defense involving cell phone idiots.

Further - I rarely - if ever - use my phone as a phone. I haven't had a voice conversation on it in over 10 days. :)

My cell phone "is" my phone. When I struck out solo, I saw no need to have two phones, and a cell phone made more sense to me.

Right now, it is on the kitchen counter. That is where it lives while I am at home.

When I am at work, it lives in my locker. When I leave the house, it hangs out in a cup holder in my car, or in my camelbak back pack when I am riding my bike.

I almost never answer it while I am biking, or when I am with friends, unless I am expecting a call.

I don't text. It isn't on my plan, and I had it blocked, to keep from getting charged for texts I didn't feel I needed. :)

Anymore my cell phone is only off, when I ride, or when I am in a meeting.

Moni

You could sign my name under chloecat's first post.

I think it really depends on "if"/or whether and where you working:
I use mine to keep in touch with vendors, corporate office, regular customers etc. For any of them to get to me thru land-line could be "iffy"
I also work with bunch of young (19-20 yo) people, who live of the phone/texting, so it's easier for us to communicate this way.
As for answering someone's message right away: mama of one of my guys is dying and I can never know what's happening when he calls;
you can bet I'll ask to be excused and be talking to him right away.
I think most people find cells annoying because of the way some people use them: loudly and with lots of private details for the world to hear.
It's not what it is how :o)

I've never been attached to any phone. To me they are just a necessity, not something I enjoy unless it is a relative that I haven't talked in a long time.

I have T-Mobile to go for $8. a month with roll over minutes.

With most everything...manners play in to it and some of the peeps out in public have just never been taught any manners or to think of anyone other then themselves...I'm in a store to shop...not have a phone conversation so those calls go to voice mail unless it's hubster and he usually texts me if he forgot to add something to the list!

Mine is umbilically attached but it gets turned off once the airplane door closes and isn't turned back on till the last passenger walks off...

Thanks for the Keyring app!! I can't wait to take those pesky cards out of my wallet and off my keyring!!

Mine is attached to my waistband or in my pocket. At home it's on the nightstand plugged in. I get work email on it.

I play scrabble with friends and strangers. Yes I am always attached.

Today, I attended a funeral. The family are friends of ours. Just before the ceremony began, the funeral director announced that everyone should turn off their cell phone or exit the room. Sure enough, 10 minutes into the ceremony, I hear a cell phone; Someone's purse was ringing. At least, it got shut doen promptly although late.

When this happens during a chess match in our club, the offender is fined $5.

Oh I admit it - I must get the sutures out- I have a new Virgin Mobile. It's $55 a month plus fees for unlimited everything. No contract.
I used it as a talking GPS this weekend when we were lost. I spoke in the address and it told me where to go.
Checked Facebook and Yahoo when I was bored silly waiting on hubby when he went to a busy store for his coffee.
Got hubby the caps score - they lost..
Call people and don't need to wait until late in the evening.
I keep finding more and more about this phone just playing around with it.
The only thing is - I need to get my fingers sharpened. My fat fingers aren't good at typing, but I'm getting there.
Kathy

My 22 YO daughter uses her cell phone for calls and texts while she's driving. Everyone has told her to stop, including her boyfriend. I'm afraid she'll get killed.

Caroline, what an awesome story about the guy who walked out! Served her right, I wish I could have seen her face!

I LOVE MY CELL PHONE! It is my camera. Video camera. My own private little juke box! My phone and address book. My calender and reminder service! Even my alarm clock!
It is my only phone also. Not my internet connection though.

If I lost my service I wouldn't really care. I still love my little toy! I have captured moments with grand children that I would have missed, had it not been for my cell phone close. Those videos make me smile anytime I watch them!

I tend towards texting more than calling. I can shoot a quick text and get an answer, whenever.... saving me the time of a phone call.

But no, we are not tied to one another. I catch flak all the time from people who expect an immediate response to a text or a phone call answered. Because they are glued to theirs, they think everyone is.

I am amazed by people addicted to theirs. I worked as a cashier for years, and noted that many people handicap themselves with their phones. One hand is just as well be in a sling. They can't use it, because it holds their cell phone.

When I am face to face with people and my phone goes off I silence it. I do not acknowledge the phone until I am alone. I am shocked at how many people think I am RUDE by doing that.
I explain I am with them, giving them attention. Do they really want me to ignore them? But they seem more concerned about the fact I might ignore them when they text or call... sometime in the future.... over paying attention to them now. It makes me chuckle... I just don't get it.

What doesn't make me chuckle is parents with children, who ignore and neglect their children, for their phones. I am seeing this more and more, and it angers and saddens me.
Of course, when you see this, you see children acting wild. Negative attention from their parents is the only attention they get, but it still attention. The kids do whatever they can to get mommy to remember they are there.
Here is where I have the urges Caroline has.....!!!!

Caroline... the body slam.... LOL.... phone rage...! LOL
The stupid conversations don't bother me, as much as amuse me. How people can forget they are not one-on-one alone talking to that person, I can't fathom! They publicize things you would think they wouldn't want to share with the world!

High 5 to the young man ditching Miss Verizon!!!!

I agree with kfca37... people are afraid to be alone...

My cell is my only phone, no land line.It has been my only phone since I moved to Iowa over 6 years ago.
When I was in CA last week, a friend there was umbilically attached to a cell. Drove me nuts when answered during dinner. Finally, my last night there as we were going into a restaurant, I said "Let's turn our cells off during dinner". It was so refreshing not to have a conversation interrupted.
I try to remember to take my cell with me whenever I leave the house, especially to walk my dog. This is done for my safety if I should fall.

I have a cell phone at dh's insistence. I use it more now than I used to, but it really just a tracking device. I don't call friends on it. It does come in handy for pictures. My kids and dh miss me when I walk the dog around the neighborhood. Other than that and emergencies, I'd be fine without one.

Honestly I just feel terribly sorry for the person you describe. I swore I would never have one just from seeing people (mostly women) using theirs. Unfortunately my husband wouldn't let me drive any where on my own during and after chemo unless I agreed to have a phone.

I take it with me when I go out alone and the only person I have ever called is my DH and he can't even call me because I don't turn it on unless I am going to use it. I don't want to have even my DH interrupting my excursions and no way in he// would I take a call from anyone else.

Have you ever noticed that a person on a cell phone always talks loud enough so that people 100 yards a way can hear every word.

Ruthie, I'm one of those people who talk loud on the phone. lol I don't know why I do it..it just comes out like that. I hate when my phone rings and I'm in a store..just for that very reason.

My phone is not umbilically attached to me. I carry it mostly for emergencies when I'm out. When I'm home..it's usually on a shelf in the kitchen. And I don't text.

No, my cell phone is not glued to my hand. I have a home phone and my cell phone that is pay as you go.
I know how to text but never do.