Do you take your phone everywhere?

[Estermay]

I have read people astounded that others do not take their phone everywhere. I don't. If I am going out to a barwith friends I leave it at-home. No point losing it, which i would if i took it. Or if I am popping out to the local shop I leave it, I don't need it.
So do you take your phone everywhere?
YABU = yes I do
YANBU = I dont

I take it with me if I am going out socially in case plans change or to let people know where I am. I don't carry a bag though, so I find it an annoying thing to carry with me, unless it's winter and it can go in a a coat pocket. I don't take it to work with me. I usually have it switched off in the evening, and always switch it off overnight, so with me not taking it to work it can often be switched off for days without me remembering about it. I know that drives my friends and family a bid mad though.

That's how I see it too. I had one incident years ago on a lonely country road where I was being followed. crossed over and took out my (brick) mobile phone to pretend to talk loudly to family. Frightened him right off.

No idea what would have happened otherwise.

Em yes, that's the point of a 'mobile' phone rather than a home phone. I would bring it especially to a bar in case I get into trouble or so I can keep my location on.

I take photos using it.

I can look up directions or opening times

Also, it is my wallet - I how I pay for stuff

I hate all this 'we managed without phones before', we managed without cars, dentists, washing machine, toothpaste etc the list is endless. Doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic invention.

Sorry if someone has said that already. Yes I take mine absolutely everywhere. Feels a bit luddite not to tbh.

Mostly yes. It is a fantastic invention. It’s a phone, camera, photo album, diary, notebook, address book, radio/media player, shopping list, ticket holder, encyclopaedia….

Nope. Don't take it all the time, but only for little things. Local shops, school run, supermarket.... Why would I need it? If we head out with the kids my DH has his, I don't need mine 🤷🏼‍♀️

I hate all this 'we managed without phones before', we managed without cars, dentists, washing machine, toothpaste etc the list is endless. Doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic invention.

Me too. It's used like a badge of steely-mindedness or something - they will not bend to modern standards, they're better than those who happily avail themselves of modern technology. They manage.

More or less, but wouldn't go back in house if realised I didn't have it. Partner and son get narked when I don't take it on walks etc,so I've started to. I need it when shopping, to pay/use store memberships etc. I'm 54 so very much of the I managed fine before, mindset. I use it for directions for my job - wouldn't be keen to go back to A to Z.

It sounds like the OP is addicted to their phone and has to physically leave it somewhere in order to not be on it all the time. I think most people (well those I know) are happy to just leave it in their pocket or bag. My phone has been on silent since 2010! None of my friends are on social media on the phone when we go out, but it sounds like the OP’s friends are. I can’t imagine a life where I just go to the cemetery or one particular bar that my husband has to pick me up from at a certain time. Each to their own!!

I don't think it's a good idea to be so reliant on them. If you use it to the extent of some of the examples on here what happens if you lose it? How do you pay for stuff if you lose it when you're out and you don't use cash or cards anymore? Must be sheer panic!

What is all this talk of losing your phone about? Which adults are regularly doing this?

I lose my phone if I am not very careful. It is an awkward size and easy to put on a table and forget about.

Well it is physically in my bag all the time but always on silent, I don't see a need not to take it

I still use payment cards, it’s only occasionally I use my phone to pay for stuff.

I have never lost a phone and I've had one since the late 90s. It you're used to carrying it with you, you tend to remember to take it with you!

What if you’re attacked or have an accident or any number of other emergencies that are the only real time a mobile phone is useful?! Why do you have one just to keep it at home? You can use a landline?

Always have it! Hate forgetting it. Use it to take photos all the time so want to have it handy :)

I would have thought that it is quite easy to lose a phone. You can easily leave it on a train or in a bar or someone nicks it.

I definitely prefer having a separate card to pay for things.

And although I buy train tickets on my phone now it's a bit stressful having to make sure it doesn't run out of battery life over the day - if you also use it for music or in my case tracking steps it drains quite quickly (obviously depending on the model of phone). If I am in the office it's fine, I can take a charger with me, but if I am out and about it can starts to get low quite quickly.

No.
I hate the thought if being connected all the time. I leave it behind if I go for a run/walk/swim or out to the shops. I take it if I need satnav or proof of purchase or something.
I leave location off unless I am using it for satnav. I leave mobile data off unless I really need it.
But I don't use it for music or anything. So it is mostly used at home for staying in contact, or for organising things and answering emails.

I use it for directions for my job - wouldn't be keen to go back to A to Z

No, I am happy to use a map to plan my route but the last half mile or so is much easier using Google Maps (although I wish it told you what direction you are pointing in!)

I also have the OS map app which is great and easier than a paper map when out and about, but I have paper maps to look at at home. I like maps :)

I used to leave mine at home when dog walking but I've resigned myself to the fact it's useful to have on hand. It's always on silent unless I'm expecting a call, though.

If I forget it and I'm popping to the shops then I'm not going to the hassle of unlocking the door and going back for it, though.

Yep, always with me if I’m out of the house. Not even so I can be on it, or I can get in touch with anyone, but more for if others need to get hold of ME in an emergency. If my partner needed to contact me, or my elderly dad that lives alone, my brother etc if something happened to my dad.
Even if I’m only a short walk from home, I wouldn’t know if there’s an emergency happening and wouldn’t expect someone in an emergency situation to have to come find me.

I always have it. I love being able to just look things up if I’m curious. I spend a lot of time on buses and will check out shops or restaurants that look interesting that I pass. I use it for directions because I have zero sense of direction when walking or driving. I like being able to take a picture if I see something interesting (for examples our local sea front has a lot of storm damage at the moment) to show DH rather than trying to describe things. Similarly I take pictures in shops to discuss potential purchases (we are renovating a property). I usually listen to podcasts when out and about. I almost never use my phone to speak to people but I do message if they need to know what my plans are.

I’ve never lost a phone. It’s either in my hand if I’m using it or in a pocket or handbag. I don’t leave it on tables or anywhere else out of the house. At home I often don’t know where it is but that’s different🙂.

Yes I take everywhere as others have said. To pay, take photos, message people on meeting or vice versa in case they’re late. Book taxis, use sat nav.

I’ve also told my elderly mother to keep hers on her. She fell in the garden one time many years ago and a passer by refused to call an ambulance or go into the house to get my mum’s phone as she was in a hurry to get kids from school. She lay there in pain into the next person passed. She also fell in the house and couldn’t get up up get her phone one time for ages as she struggles with mobility. And for those reasons I need to have my phone in case she remembers to have her phone on her and needs me in an emergency.

My kids are now the age where they can be left home but id need them to be able to contact me in an emergency.

My food shopping uses the scanning app at Sainsbury’s which is linked to my nectar card so much easier than quicker to scan as I go and nip through the self serve tills to pay. I’ve needed petrol on the way home from work. I don’t take my purse as generally wouldn’t need it but it has meant I can use my phone to get petrol - on the odd occasion I’ve done more miles or forgotten to fill up earlier.