Am I the only loser who *doesn't* have a cellphone?

[neomonkey]

I moved out of my house in July in the course of a separation from my wife. I thought I would trim back the superfluous BS in my life, the crap I really didn't need and which I wouldn't miss. The internet was a necessity, I'm paying heavily for high-speed. However, when I considered cellphones, I realized that was a joke. I don't know enough people and I would be kidding myself if I thought I was in such demand that I needed to be available at a second's notice to anyone.

[HEyHEY]

1. Nope! Tossed mine when I left Vancouver

[JohnKleeb]

2. No, my good friend doesnt

[tedoll78]

3. I have no cell phoe.

And I hate them. I refuse to get one until I graduate and need one for when I am on call at the hospital. They are a scourge.

[LiberalVoice]

4. I feel exactly the same way!

Kinda depressing huh?

[PartyPooper]

5. I, too, have a cell phone (aka mobile phone) which I seldom use.

And, I rarely give out my number.

:-)

[the Princess]

6. No of course not - there are plenty of other losers out there

without cell phones. LOLOL

I'm just messin with ya.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

7. No , I don't have one either .

And not having one does not make you a loser :) ;)

[wickerwoman]

8. I don't have a cellphone.

I don't want to be available all day every day.

I was staying in a sublet last summer where all five of my roommates had cellphones. They didn't want to pay for a land line so I was stuck paying the whole bill. :grr:

[aquart]

9. I object to the term "loser." It's a Republican value system.

Dividing the world into winners and losers expresses contempt for any but the most fortunate.

I do not have a cell phone. I do have a friend with a stage three brain tumor. I consider it a win not to be addicted to a cell phone.

[neomonkey]

15. Of course I agree with you

When I say "loser" I'm being entirely facetious.

It's downright disturbing the way our modern culture fetishizes these annoying and useless appliances. They take photographs, they take video, they are walkie-talkies, before you know it, they will soon invent one that can wipe your ass. Actually, once they invent that phone, I will buy one again.

[qnr]

10. Never owned one.

Hate telephones period. Strange, since I was in communications.

[mike_c]

11. nope-- never owned one, never will....

I usually unplug or screen the landline as well. I have no desire to be "reachable" by anyone, anytime.

[loveable liberal]

12. i dont have one. I hate phones.

what piece of information is so gd important that you have to be called anywhere at any time? I must admit, I still have a rotary dial phone. im not 82 years old either, Im 38.

[freetobegay]

13. Can't live wothout mine.

[The Traveler]

14. Consider yourself fortunate and wise (n/t)

[ogradda]

16. no cell phone here

don't want one either.

[rooboy]

17. There is nothing more pathetic...

than seeing a person in a nightclub or bar keying text messages into their phone. Even worse, watching them phone their friends to find out where they are.

I only carry a cellphone if I am going into a situation where I could be injured or stranded with no alternative means of contact. My dream is ditching my cellphone.

[serryjw]

18. I'm in sales and I don't have one......

NOTHING I do is that important that my customers can not wait until I get to a land line. The technology is moving to fast and so are the heart attacks.

[neomonkey]

19. Wow

that's commendable.

Salespeople and attorneys, I always imagined they single-handedly kept the cellphone industry profitable.

[serryjw]

25. I'm 54

Have been in sales for 25 years and survived before cells were available. I WALK my territory, because I live in D/T Denver.I HATE people walking down the street talking on the phone.......so pretentious.If I am walk,I won't have any records, SO what am I going to say to a customer....."I just spilled my Starbucks?"

[Marxdem]

40. See I won't do business with someone that doesnt have one

I completely understand that the world has been spinning without cellphone up untill a few years ago. The difference is now that there are cellphones I can keep in contact with others whenever I need to. If someone I'm dealing with doesn't have a contact number, I stop doing business with them.

It sounds harsh, but its very annoying playing phone tag with someone who doesnt have a cellphone.

[mac56]

48. Welcome.

What do you do that makes it so vital for you to reach people immediately?

[Marxdem]

53. I run a small seafood company. Family business.

The problem I have are with truckers and sales reps. If I can't get a lock on where the truckers are and the sales reps won't call me back, I find new truckers and continue to get screwed by the sales reps.

[serryjw]

63. How very republican of you.......

what do you do? Is your business LIFE OR DEATH related? What is wrong with V/M and someone will call you back. It worked for 200 years.You know something.....Any customer that is that DEMANDING of my time I don't need as a customer.

[miss_kitty]

20. LOSER? I don't have a cell phone

infact my phone is connected by a wire to the wall and the handset is connected by a wire to the phone. For privacy.

[OneBlueSky]

21. I hate the damned things . . .

in my doctor's waiting room today, I had to listen to this crazy lady conducting her real estate business loud enough for everyone to hear . . . the first call was from a tenant whose lease was up for renewal, informing her that s/he wasn't going to renew if the rent was increased again . . . "Oh, let me look at it and get back to you; I'm sure we can work something out" . . . as soon as she hung up, she placed another call . . . "Just found out that there's going to be an apartment opening up; I can probably show it to you next week" . . . grrrr . . .

don't have one, don't need one, don't want one . . .

[miss_kitty]

26. I hop in on those conversations

they obviously mean to include you when they talk loud, don't they? So a couple of "Oh, totally!"s and "Shit girl, that happened to me, too!"s often gets them to say "Erm-I'll call ya later"

[Skittles]

32. I confront these people

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR F***ING BUSINESS I tell them. Someone has to tell them.

[Union Thug]

22. I'm 40 years old..never had a cell phone, never will...

..unless it is specifically used for and provided as part of my job. I've been lucky thus far.

[JohnKleeb]

23. I didnt have one until last year

I think they're nice to have, really helps me coordinate things better.

[Endangered Specie]

24. I HATE CELL PHONES!... none here.

[Awsi Dooger]

27. I despise cell phones!; keep one for trips only

I had one fulltime for two years in the mid-'90s. Most miserable experience of my life, being on-call 24 hours a day. Ring at the golf course. Ring at the grocery store. Ring while I'm trying to watch a game. Virtually every call was mindless crap, someone else trying to show off their new mobile call capability.

I will NEVER tote a cell phone again, other than security porposes during my annual summer trips. Twice I had car/camper trouble and was bailed out by the little gizmo.

[NoodleBoy]

28. Had one, was totally dependant on it

let the contract expire, then realized how much I need the damn thing. I've got a horrible short term memory.

Went to get a new one last week, was told that because of something on my credit I'd have to pay a $500 deposit. Talked to me dad about it-- he has the same name as me-- and figured it was either him, or a prisoner in this state who has the same name as us, who he's been mized up for before on credit and other shit.

[jdots]

29. everyone here please move to L.A.

we can start a trend, my wife should get a cell phone implant.
people give me thier dead and obsolete cells if anyone needs a prop.

[LunaSea]

30. I'm amazed such an inferior technology

is totally accepted as being good enough.

I don't like the idea of sticking my head in a microwave to make a phone call either.

Sure they can be handy in an emergency, so can a flare gun and a good rope. Not gonna carry those around all the time.

[Skittles]

31. only have one for my job

I absolutely despise cell phones

[donheld]

33. Not having a cell phone is NOT a sign of a loser

The sign of a loser is having a cellphone and not knowing proper cellphone etiquette.

[Spider Jerusalem]

34. No...I have no use for an electronic leash, either...

I hate the fucking things; I think they're obnoxious.

[Rhiannon12866]

35. I don't have a cell phone and don't know much about them

I guess I'm technologically challenged. I'm lucky I found DU! My luxury is a portable phone that isn't tethered to the wall, LOL! I have gotten used to having a phone in the car, but it is hands-free and stays in the car. Using a cell phone, while driving, is against the law in NY State.:shrug:

[Howardx]

36. never had one never will

n/t

[NashVegas]

37. "If Everyone Was Jumping Off The Brooklyn Bridge ..."

Is one of mom's old annoyances that came to mind everytime I'd considered getting a cell phone.

No thanks.

[Marxdem]

38. Get a cell and can the land line

Why get a land line is the real question?

[Heyo]

44. Exactly...

The prices are totally comperable now-a-days. I rarely use my landline anymore.. people don't call my *house*.. they call ME... (they call my pocket actually)

And all this talk about it being a "leash" is bogus.. since when do you have to answer it?... I turn the ringer off and ignore calls all the time, if I am busy, I'll see that you called and get back to you at my discretion.

It's just too damn convenient for me.

Heyo

[Phillycat]

51. It's actually less of a leash, because it shows who's calling.

I can make spot decisions about who I want to talk to and when. Even if you have caller ID on a landline, you have to pay for it. Caller ID comes standard with most cell phone plans.

[serryjw]

68. OMG some of us still have dial up!

someday I will switch to comcast

[Heyo]

69. It's all good.

"Git in where ya fit in"

:toast:

Heyo

[Wat_Tyler]

39. I've never owned one.

[Lavender Brown]

41. I might give mine up if I decide to leave New York

I don't think I'd need it anymore if I was no longer living in the city.

[Phillycat]

42. I don't think you're a loser, but I couldn't live without mine.

I haven't had a landline for years. My cell is my lifeline. I belong to an organization that it is very important that people can get ahold of me.

Since I've had one for years, I must confess that I find it very frustrating when people I am trying to contact DON'T have one. I have to wait to catch them at home, which can be very difficult.

[Heyo]

43. No, you are not.. nor are you a loser...

Lots of people don't have them...

...but for me that idea of having a small device in my pocket with which I can communicate to any other person anywhere in the world with a similar device is a great convenience for me.

My home phone doesn't even get much use.. my cell phone is basically my primary number.

Before I had one, I probably wouldn't care.. but now that I am used to the convenience I wouldn't want to be without it. Can't count the number of times the thing has bailed me out from the side of the road, etc..

Mine is scratched and beat up and heavily used, but thank God I have it.

Heyo

[Emops]

49. I had a cell phone

when I was a commuter student and traveled 30 miles to school every day. It came in handy on winter days when my car wouldn't start.

But since I moved on campus back in May, I haven't used it once. If there is one pet peeve I have above all others, it is seeing kids yakking on their personal slavery unit. If you are constantly talking to someone else, you have no time to know yourself.

I refuse to ever use a cell phone unless it is for a career or emergencies.

[Heyo]

52. totally...

I know why people get irritated with cellphones... particularly the way younger kids, and not to sound sexist but mostly girls, but of course boys too.. from the around 12 to 15 or so age range.

See, I live in Boca Raton, and if you have ever lived there you'll know what a "Boca brat" is.. and these are them...

Now the newest thing they have gotten a hold of are the Blackberrys and Nextel walkie talkies...

Don't get me wrong, I want a Blackberry, those things are bad ass... (I am a total techie and a gadget lover)

Still, I thought somewhere in the late 90's, enough people had cell phones where people didn't need to whip it out and make a loud call just to prove your name is Mr. or Mrs. Awesome because you have a cell phone, but I guess it's still that way with the new PDA's and 2-ways.. "Yeah, dog, text me up later yo.. holla back, money.. PEACE!"

:dunce:

(When I first got my cell phone I was stealth about it, because I was afraid everyone would ask for the number and call me a lot. I don't like a lot of attention. I like my quiet time)

And this is not to even mention all the other egregious offenses people commit with their phones, constantly yakking in the most inappropriate places.

But still, the convenience is unmatched.. I agree with what someone said farther up-thread.... ditch the land line and keep the cell... hell, what's the use of having a land line anymore? You can always turn off your phone when you don't want to be bothered, I do it all the time.

(some people should take a lesson from that.. you know who you are)

I do talk on it while I am driving, but this is because time in my car is my private personal time... and it's a time I know I can have a conversation without somebody listening over my shoulder/eavesdropping and can say what's on my mind. I can walk and chew gum at the same time, and so am perfectly capable of operating a vehicle while talking on the phone. (many people are still having a tough time with that)

A lady gave me a snotty look the other day in the store, but okay. I wasn't talking loudly. I was getting stuff for dinner and had called my g/f from in front of the pasta sauces and was deciding with her what kind to get, she doesn't like onions, etc so I was reading ingredients and some bitch sneered at me. I pretty much gathered she was one of those cell phone "witch hunt" people, was thinking in my head "that's what these things are FOR, you old BAT, so I can call home right from where I am at so I get the correct stuff for dinner, so mind your business, or do you have nothing better to do?" It's not like I was talking in a movie or something. (a corporal offense)

Heyo

[LisaLynne]

45. I didn't have one for a long time, but ...

I ended up having these friends who like to stay out really late, usually far from my home, and my car's getting older, so ... Yeah, I broke down and got one. I do try not to use it too often, though. I work on a college campus and the vast majority of students are always wandering around with their cell phones, talking. It's weird until you get used to it, because it seems like they're talking to themselves!

[redqueen]

46. Nope

I want one, but don't have one.

[mac56]

47. Don't have one, don't want one.

I'm simply not that important that anyone needs to reach me that quickly. Besides, I like having times when I can't be reached.

And as I tell my neighbors: if the Commissioner really needs me, he just flashes the Bat-Signal.

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. As a mom, it's a lifesaver. Sorry.

Nothing is worse than coming home from the grocery store to find out that your child got sick or injured and that they had to call your emergency person to come and get them. I carry it, I keep it on, but I don't use it to "chat". :hi:

[scarlet_owl]

54. I don't have one. Don't need one.

I like being unreachable sometimes.

[pagerbear]

55. Yes. Yes, you are.

[CBHagman]

56. I have never owned a cell phone.

Generally speaking, I hate those things and find them intrusive. That said, there are times when I'm stuck in commuter hell on the Metro or otherwise and would like to be able to phone in concerning delays. But until I'm absolutely forced to, I won't get a cell phone.

[devilgrrl]

57. I don't have one either.

eom

[Philostopher]

58. Nope, you're not.

If not having a cell makes me a loser, Beck can make a quarter off me -- 'soy un perdidor' -- and that's that. We discuss it periodically, Mr. Nownow and I. We just haven't been able to make a case that need would justify expense -- we've had about four situations, in the past six years, where it would have made our lives easier to have had a cell phone. That's it.

If they made 'disposable' cell phones that you could buy with a certain number of minutes coded in, throw it in the glove compartment and forget about it unless you needed it, we'd be happy to do that. Nobody makes any money on that, though, so no cell service provider is ever going to do anything that would be practical to us; it's insufficiently lucrative for them. The only time either of us ever needs a cell is when we're in the car and we have an accident or a breakdown. We're home most of the time we're not at work, and when we're not home, we don't want to be interrupted or interrupt others.

We don't have kids, though. I can't blame people with kids for wanting a cell -- I can understand that. We just don't spend that much time away from the house apart, except during the work day, and we both have phones on our desks at work. Our families have those numbers, in case there's an emergency of some kind. Our minimal need doesn't justify the expense a cell would be for either of us.

[JCMach1]

59. Necessity Here in the Densely packed cityscapes of Asia and the ME

You don't exist without one here... :)


Americans, in fact (remember, i am one), are some of the least active mobile phone cultures i have seen.

So backward is the US in fact that the rest of the world simply calls them

MOBILES

[MsAnthropy]

60. Me neither. We'll be the ones WITHOUT brain/ear tumors!

[Mixxster]

61. I've never had one.

n/t

[slutticus]

62. I only have a cell phone.

Got rid of my landline....much cheaper.

And if I want to become unreachable...I just turn my phone off. It's quite simple really.

[bearfan454]

64. I don't have one and don't want one either.

My wife's kids get puzzled about it. I tell them - why would I want to pay for 2 phones. I don't have call interrupt either. They say what if someone is trying to get through. I tell them I can only talk to one person at a time anyways. They say what if it is an emergency ? I say have the operator break in. I can see where I might need it deer hunting in the middle of nowhere, but I don't have one. I'm old fashioned.

[Heyo]

66. I get the same thing...

... I do have a cell.. but sometimes I don't answer the phone, just because I don't want to be bothered all the time and some people are slave to the phone.

Sometimes people, like my g/f for example (we live together) will give me a hard time about not answering the phone. ("aren't you gonna get that?")

And I get the same shpeil.."What if it's am emergency?"

An emergency?.. call the doctor!.. call the police, the fire department.. don't call my ass!.. sheesh!

:dunce:

Heyo

[bikebloke]

65. Unleashed

Never had one and never will. I have a land line at home (and one at work). Half the time I forget to turn the ringer back on in the mornings, after telemarketers kept interrupting weekend laze-ins forcing me to turn it off at night.The answering machine catches any calls. I get around on a bike, so I don't need folk calling me on the road.

[mr blur]

67. Nope

You're in good company