I don't want a mobile phone. I'm being unreasonable, aren't I?

[CanadianJohn]

I don't like talking on the phone. Never have. If I have to make an appointment, it takes a week for me to talk myself into it. I like receiving phone calls even less.

So, why I am I considering a phone? I'm getting on a bit, had a heart attack a few years ago, and fell and broke my pelvis a few months ago. My wife is going away for a month, and I'm going to be on my own.

In addition, I organize events for children, and parents are always asking if they can call me to see if their kid is ready to leave. And the kids ask to borrow a phone so they can call their parents.

I think I gotta get a phone. I don't want a phone. I'm being unreasonable, aren't I.

I don't like mobile phones - but they are handy for emergencies. I have a phone that cost £12.99 and it came with a free £10 top up. I still have the original credit one year later.

I totally get your reluctance to have a phone but I think for all the reasons you mention in your OP you need a phone. The good thing about having a mobile phone is caller display so you can see who is calling you and choose whether to answer or not. I am very good at not answering my phone if I don't want to.
I hate phoning people too. In fact I've been waiting for a haircut for two weeks as I don't want to phone to make an appointment.

No one likes talking on the phone. Texting is your friend.

What I love about my phone is that I do nearly everything on it except talk!

Phones are not for talking on anymore. Messaging is the normal way nowadays. Just tell people to message you.

I mean if you want to you can text/IM whatever them so you don't need to even talk to the kids parents! I found most trades will happily answer my text message if they have a mobile contact number. It saves the hassle trying to write down phone numbers and addresses with pen and paper over the phone.

"No one likes talking on the phone. Texting is your friend."

I dunno, everywhere I go I see people glued to their phones. A friend of mine got a phone, and every time we meet for coffee he is forever fiddling with it. I don't want to fall into the same trap, so I'll be looking for as dumb a phone as I can find.

Unfortunately, in this part of Canada (Ontario) phone plans are quite expensive. The minutes expire if you don't use them - and well, it's a nasty exploitive mess.

I hate people calling me on the mobile and often let it go straight to answer phone.
Primarily people with mobiles text or use it to exchange emails. You don't have to fiddle with your phone btw your friend is being quite rude, when you get your mobile if he starts doing that when he's with you, you can text him and tell him you need to get his attention .

I'd be reluctant to let the DCs at the events use your phone though. If they are old enough to be using mobiles to contact their parents, then they should have their own phone. You could tell parents that you are happy to give and receive texts but as you are focusing on the event you can't take any calls.