Has anybody else not got, and not want a mobile phone?

I have had one since you could get one. I have also had a computer since home computers were available. I could not be without one. Lack of telephone boxes now would make it impossible to call the RAC if I broke down for a start. I actually do not understand the reasoning for not having one nowadays. You seem very proud of not having one...

You can get a mobile phone for £10 from Argos with a £10 top up on pay as you go. I hardly every use mine but it’s useful for emergencies or to take when I go out in case I need to contact anybody. I only top mine up with £10 every few months

I didn't want one and argued against it for ages ... now I wouldn't be without it. They are just so darn useful!

I have a mobile but I am not attached to it. If I remember I take it with me, if I remember I charge it. I am much more attached to my iPad and my kindle

I do have a mobile, but only use it for the occasional phone call and texts -most of the time I forget to switch it on and right now couldn't tell you where it is! I only have it in case of emergency when I am out. I do use computers, online banking, shopping etc. but don't like the increasing dependence on mobile phones - especially amongst the young.

Walk along any street or shopping mall, sit in any cafe, coffee shop or restaurant and you will see people ignoring everything around them, including their companions to stare at their phones.

I don’t obsess over mine, however, I feel happier being always contactable by my family ... just in case !

Techno PHOBE!

I am a techno phone but do have an elderly pay as you go iPhone 5. I rarely if ever use it and Prefer the iPad at home (using it now). Maybe if I had a very cheap contract I might use it more. Not sure. Probably not but I do use the camera on it.
I do agree we should try and keep up to date if possible but do dislike the way everyone is on their phones all the time, and instead of talking to their companions they ‘ talk’ to others not present. It’s rather sad.

I think if you drive alone they are essential.
In the beginning I resisted but then got a cheap no contract for emergencies. I began to use it more and more. DD has always worked shifts and I prefer to text rather than call and she's sleeping or working.
Can't do that with a land line.
My phone is now my only connection to the internet, I gave my laptop to DS after he spilt coffee on his.

No you are not on your own bohemian I do have a phone. Never use it and don’t know where it is. Somewhere in a handbag upstairs I think. I was given DH’s old one when he bought a super model. Dislike intrusiveness of mobiles.

Love the computer and ipad, but only had a cheap pay as you go for years, however I now have a good mobile phone with a contract and am forever texting and googling on it?although
I draw the line at looking at it when out with friends, which to me is ‘infra dig’ (as an old fogey) haha.

Yikes! Bohemian you are living up to your name for sure, good for you! Having said that I simultaneously regard mine as a bloody nuisance and invaluable. When my husband was working, many a time he'd be held up because of traffic, it was a real help to phone the client to let them know he was running late. Uses it far less since retirement though! His grown up grandchildren are slack jawed when we tell them there was a life before mobile phones, they simply don't know how everyone managed at least one had the undivided attention of that other person when you were out on a date, you are so right they are intrusive, it's amazing to observe the lack of interaction because of them these days. I regret our granddaughter aged 10 was given one a year ago, she's far more talkative without it. Plenty of upsides, so stick to your guns and do what is right for you

Couldnt. Overtime at work goes online and first to click gets it.

Thanks for all your responses. So it seems I'm on my own here!

I think they are very intrusive, and it's worrying that generally people believe they can't survive without new technologies, which is probably the case as we're having to rely on them more and more.

Thank you BradfordLass73 for your wise words. Bullying is the wrong word...I feel pressurised.

I'm holding out for as long as possible to do without one, what I've never had, I don't miss.....

I first had a mobile years ago and rarely used it, partly because there was no signal where I worked. When I got a smart phone initially I only used it for the camera, but have gradually found lots of other uses. If I'm out and running late I can call or text a friend, if the train/bus is late I can check on alternatives, if I'm lost I can use the maps, I have my Kindle App so can read when out, the family keep in touch by WhatsApp, the email or text is to hand when collecting click and collect items - so many things.

I very much believe that we should try and keep up with the new technologies. With people living longer, I may still be around for a number of years. I want to know and understand how the world works. I am sure that when the wheel was first invented, many people resisted, saying they had no use for it, they had always walked everywhere and that was good enough.

DH and I inherited phones when DS1 and Ddil moved to USA. They are like smart phones but smaller and fit easily in a pocket. We could set them up for internet but don't. We just want phone, text, clock, camera, torch etc. Mine thinks I am DS1's mother in law as before I got it he set it up for her when she was on a trip in UK and wanted to receive emails. Some time I shall ask her for the password so I can take her off and put me on but I don't want to get emails etc as I also have a tablet. I baby mind for DS2's children and the parents like me to have phone with me in case of emergencies.

You can choose not to have one but you cannot dictate how people want to contact you so you have to accept that you may miss out on things you want to do. If you’re happy with that level of risk and do not expect people to facilitate communication with you then don’t have a mobile.

I have a pay as you go, just for emergency contacts/texts which is rarely used but cheap (about £20 about every 4/5 months). I do online shopping, Banking, Facebook, Google,emails, Gransnet etc on my laptop so I'm not a complete dinosaur (and it's easier to see). It's just when you have to scan those weird square patterns that I get annoyed!

My DC laugh at me because I have all the important contact numbers stuck to the back of my phone (including my own) just in case of battery failure or such like. The only thing I would like a smart phone for is the camera to save me carrying mine around. They seem to produce really good photos.

I don't have a mobile for the simple reason I can't see one.
No one bullies me because I won't let them.

I say, if I am told "it's essential nowadays"

"So was my eyesight but somehow I'm managing without it. Learn to adapt, as I have."

Stick it out girl, no one can bully you without your consent (to paraphrase the wonderful Eleanor Roosveldt)

I’m sure you can function without one but it does make life a lot easier in many ways, I love my smartphone. If you are resisting one just because you don’t want to be part of the 21st century, that’s your choice, but don’t claim you are being “bullied” because your life is inconvenienced by your choice not to have a phone. Don’t expect others to pander to your choices.

Every one of my homeless clients has to have not just a mobile phone, but preferably a 'smart' phone in order to manage a claim for Universal Credit. They have to be able to receive text messages and go online to update and read their 'journal'.

My mother-in-law is in a similar position to you boheminan; a fortnight ago her husband bought her a smartphone as a combined birthday/Christmas gift. She has resisted this for many years, but finally agreed to have one and is now struggling to master it. I know she will eventually get the hang of it, but I do have a lot of sympathy for her as I also put off getting my first mobile phone for as long as possible. Now I have two iPhones and I have to acknowledge they have saved me hours of work and are very convenient.

I wouldn’t want to be without mine. Partly as security when out and about on my own. Whatsapp is great for keeping in touch with family and friends. Also it is my sole camera .

I fear that at some point in the future everything will be done by apps on mobile phones. They will be used as a security check for online activities more and more, and you won't be able to manage money, shop, or even talk to anyone, as landlines are not being used by the majority of people younger than us.

They do have their uses, do you not have friends or family that might need to contact you in an emergency, or even if you are meeting someone to tell them that you are running late?

You can get second hand ones very cheaply on ebay and just pay for the calls/texts/data that you use. Could it be that fear of the learning curve in using one plays a part in your reluctance? There are many people who would be delighted to help you out?

I find mine very useful but do agree that they can be time wasters.

I use mine for WhatsApp, phone calls, texts and email mostly.