I don't use a mobile phone. Am I unique?

I’ve never quite understood the “humble-bragging” mentality which claims virtue in not taking advantage of modern technology- and by “modern” I include 20th century.
I know people who “don’t believe in “ central heating (take it from me, it exists) who don’t ever shop in supermarkets, or heat their bedroom or use a hairdryer to dry their hair, or a steam iron when spitting on an iron heated at the fire was fine for their granny or have a television or prefer easy care bedding. I could go on.
By all means, you are entitled to your choices, but don’t expect admiration from those of us who believe in the benefits of progress in our domestic appliances.
Some old people seem particularly prone to this - beware hardening of the attitudes

If you don't want a smart phone, that's perfectly fine.

Personally I just couldn't function well without mine. I love it.

Unfortunately, it seems to be impossible to participate in today's world without using a smartphone.
The thing I do find annoying is that one is expecting to respond promptly to messages of all kinds.

I have a pay as you go, and it mostly lives in the kitchen. I do not want to be 'on call' all the time- and I usually go for big forest walks with my neighbour and our dogs- and she always has hers in an emergency. I only take it if I go on long drives alone.

I have one friend who doesn't have a mobile and her reasoning is that people can ring her on her landline. What I always say to her is that it's useful to have one for an emergency at the very least (as you do, op) and anyone I know who has had to go for a stay in hospital has found it an absolute godsend for keeping in touch with people, occupying yourself and feeling in touch with the outside world. If you ever visit a hospital ward, most people, if they are able, are on their phones if they don't have a visitor with them.

NonGrannyMoll

I have 2 mobile phones but wish I could manage modern life without them. They're an expensive nuisance.
I bought a Nokia in 2004 when we were between houses and lived "on the road". Only ever used it to make & receive calls and never bothered with texts. I've only used the Nokia for the past 20 years to call home if I'm going to be late.
I bought another mobile about 3 years ago because it was (don't know whether it's smart, average IQ or just plain stupid) the only way I could access my email account while away from a computer. Kept that one because so many (TOO many) things are impossible to do nowadays without giving a mobile number. I think that's outrageous but the rest of the world seems to think that's a fine way to do business.
I prefer my land line. The sou8nd is good and the line doesn't keep cutting out because the fools who call me aren't near a suitable mast (why do mobile phone users put up with such poor service & coverage?). I can phone anywhere in the world without paying extra for the privilege, and I don't have it beeping and weeping at all hours because people want to send me pictures of their dinners.

I don't have it beeping and weeping at all hours because people want to send me pictures of their dinners.

You can set your phone not to give you notifications (beeps) whenever you want. You can have a schedule for when you want them, e g, during the day but not at night.

OP, it’s obviously your choice whether to have a smartphone or not. But if you haven’t used one, how do you know that they’re just clumsy, expensive and time consuming? I’m sure if you asked your daughter and friends they would have some positive things to say about their smartphones.

My Apple iPhone only costs me £8 a month (SIM-only deal), and it undoubtably saves me time besides providing a lot of entertainment. As for clumsy, I’d say it’s unbelievably sophisticated and fast. Sometimes the user might be clumsy!

That £8 a month also saves me buying diaries, calendars, notebooks, maps and satnavs.

There are reasons that most of the world has moved onto using smartphones.

RosieandherMaw

^A lady in the downstairs flat to us has a simple phone and text mobile^
So she has a mobile phone.

What I meant was that she has no other technology other than this phone. It's not one that is able to have any apps installed.

Gosh, Gramarretto is it really a year since you lost your phone. I remember it clearly. How time flies.

Indego
You don’t have to give your mobile number for an online purchase.
As long as they have your email address that’s sufficient.
In the box for mobile number put a mobile network code ie 07910 ( that’s a bonified code) then, as I do any 6 numbers you choose. The program only needs to see a number.
The only people who have my number are my bank and my Dr.

A timely thread for me today because I have a very old iPhone (hand- me- down) that works adequately for me good battery life but won’t stand any more updates for my work app or for WhatsApp soon. Boo! Plus I have iPad which is fine….for now.

My frustration is the sheer complication of finding information about eg…this afternoon the cinema, times, price particularly price
they will not tell you anything you want to know unless you log in and give them your entire life story virtually,
so a simple decision about what cinema (no manned phone lines) or even swimming pool etc for the Gkids this half term turns into a kafkaesque nightmare grrr 👹
Rant over and out.

I do all my correspondence on my mobile phone. I am using it now to read this forum.

I accidentally left my phone on the
plane going to NZ, a year ago.

I never got it back and managed the rest of the journey and the month there without it

It was extremely restful without it but I was pleased to find that all my important information, phone numbers etc were somewhere in the cloud so were easily captured onto my new phone when I returned.

I had missed hundreds of emails, mostly unimportant.
It was a real holiday!

Aldom

I often wonder if the people who seem to be so proud of not using a mobile phone own a washing machine, when two dolly tubs and a mangle did the job.

I've got all the other mod cons. Aldom.

I don't have a mobile phone. I'm happy with my landline and answer phone. Not corded so I can take it around the house and so far in the garden. I can talk until the cows come home as long as I end the call after and hour and then ring back.
I did try one ages ago but the signal is rubbish downstairs. People have to go outside to make a call here.
When I go out I wouldn't want people pestering me. I know I could turn one off but then what's the point.
I'm happy with my laptop. Couldn't be without it.
I agree with Petra's post.

I often wonder if the people who seem to be so proud of not using a mobile phone own a washing machine, when two dolly tubs and a mangle did the job.

Nell82

"I don't have it beeping and weeping at all hours because people want to send me pictures of their dinners"

😂 so true NonGrannyMoll

No one has ever sent me a picture of their dinner - and I have an all singing, all dancing smartphone. I do not get any spam messages on it. Its main use is to send me those 6 figure codes necessary when 'verifying by Visa' any online purchases.

The last time I looked the monthly bill was between £25 and £36 depending on a lot of incomprehensible variables. It is probably time I had another look.

I use Tesco Pay as you Go. It cost me between £6-10 pm.

petra

Indigo8

I have never owned a mobile phone.

I often find that I can't complete a purchase online without a mobile number and my surgery repeatedly sends reminders for me to let them have my mobile number.

I can't shop with Sainsbury's anymore which is a bit of a chizz because I have loads of Nectar points I can't spend.

I prefer to eat and heat rather than have a phone contract on top of all my other bills.

For the convenience would £5/6 break the bank. You can get lots of deals at that price.
I suppose it boils down to your lifestyle and commitments.

Thank you petra

I must admit it is a very long time since I looked into getting a mobile phone.

The last time I looked the monthly bill was between £25 and £36 depending on a lot of incomprehensible variables. It is probably time I had another look.

I find my phone invaluable for keeping in touch ,making appointments and research .
I mislaid it last week and was phoneless for two days and was lost !
Some of my elderly friends don't have mobiles and I find it frustrating trying to contact them .
I guess that I've just got used to it .

All my family and friends (except 2) use mobile phones. WhatsApp is a free way to communicate. On the odd occasion I have to contact those who are not on WhatsApp, I ring their landline. What’s not to love about a mobile phone. If it wasn’t for my wi-fi , I would completely do away with my landline…. although I have heard that I don’t need a landline for wi-fi. I will look into that ….

I’m 76 use my mobile for most things, getting rid of my landline saved me over £40 pm and those nuisance phishing calls. I bank online and keep up with family and friends all the time it’s proved invaluable during my house buying adventure I don’t miss a call or email from the various agents. Shopped on it during covid and all my NHS info is there at the touch of a button.
Ok not everybody sees the benefits but I wouldn’t be without mine.

Indigo8

I have never owned a mobile phone.

I often find that I can't complete a purchase online without a mobile number and my surgery repeatedly sends reminders for me to let them have my mobile number.

I can't shop with Sainsbury's anymore which is a bit of a chizz because I have loads of Nectar points I can't spend.

I prefer to eat and heat rather than have a phone contract on top of all my other bills.

For the convenience would £5/6 break the bank. You can get lots of deals at that price.
I suppose it boils down to your lifestyle and commitments.

Fair enough Aely, if you don't want one, don't have one. But I absolutely love mine and wouldn't be without it.

It's my means of staying in touch easily with all my friends and family, both by text and by phone, keeping up to date with all that's going on in the world via news apps, newspapers etc., listening to music and audio books, reading my library books, searching for sewing patterns from all over the world and receiving them via pdf and buying the fabric to make them, taking all my holiday photos and sharing them instantly if I wish, checking my bank accounts, getting the best deals for insurances, doing my daily puzzles, doing exercise classes via YouTube, booking doctors, dentist, hospital appointment etc, etc etc.

I can also do a lot of this on my pc, but this is always available in my handbag/pocket. Love it. Who would have thought it possible?

Jazzhands

I don't own a mobile phone. It's just too much all at once.

Hilarious 😂 all at once
I can’t even remember when I bought my first mobile.

I love my mobile it goes everywhere with me I wouldn’t be without it
My 89 (this year old) friend has a mobile and uses her easily
My 99 year old 2 nd cousin has one and does Spanish lessons on line goes on FB and texts me on messenger !
It’s not just about age but wanting to keep up and learn new things
Keeps you young