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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you take your phone everywhere?

296 replies

Estermay · 31/10/2023 13:10

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

OP posts:
MintJulia · 31/10/2023 13:22

Mine is generally in my bag or on the kitchen work surface.

I don't take it running, into an exercise class, when I'm gardening or in the shower.

But it's not unknown for me to not answer it for a whole day - decorating, xmas shopping etc. I lived perfectly happily to 30 without one, they aren't essential to life. 😀

Sexlivesofthepotatomen · 31/10/2023 13:22

Phone with me all the time, I use it to pay for stuff. Never take a bag

Doggymummar · 31/10/2023 13:22

No, it's usually got a FLAT battery in the car or bottom of my handbag

FASDE1517 · 31/10/2023 13:23

Everywhere outside of the house.
Especially in a bar with friends. Off the top of my head, I'd use it for: Ringo parking / taxi, paying for food / drinks, a quick "are you here yet? I'm on the table at the back" messages, photos, using the calendar to arrange the next get together, check in with husband / babysitters... Loads!

Mummy08m · 31/10/2023 13:23

I even take mine into the bath

CharlieCoCo · 31/10/2023 13:23

I take mine out with me if school or work calls me (nature of the job) and I also use it to pay for things, if anything ite my purse that gets left behind.

MissRead · 31/10/2023 13:24

It's not just a phone these day though is it - it's a camera, a satnav, a photo album, a means to pay, a place for notes and reminders. Mine's always on silent but I'm rarely without it - phone, keys, lip balm and glasses is all I need.

WhatHaveIFound · 31/10/2023 13:24

I take my phone everywhere with me. My parents are of an age where there could be a medical emergency at any time and my only sibling lives overseas.

m00rfarm · 31/10/2023 13:26

You will probably think I am crazy, but I always take my phone wherever I am going - even just to the car or to walk down the road to drop off the rubbish. If there is an emergency - I fall, someone else falls, dog attack - anything - then I have my phone. Yes - I know we dealt with life perfectly well before mobile phones, but for me it is something that can assist if there is a problem, and therefore it comes with me!

TokyoSushi · 31/10/2023 13:27

Yes, always really, unless I've forgotten it, and then I get a bit stressed! I don't take it around the house with me though, or into an exercise class etc.

PhantomUnicorn · 31/10/2023 13:28

yes, it's for emergencies, mine and other people.

If i take my car, i have it in case of breakdowns/crashes.

Otherwise, its so other people (my kids/mother/family/friends/ex) can get in touch with me in an emergency.

I genuinely can't imagine not having it on me.

However, just because its with me 100% of the time, doesn't mean i can't ignore it/leave it in my bag/pocket if i'm in company.

Scampuss · 31/10/2023 13:29

I have an anaphylactic allergy so my phone and epipens/emergency meds go everywhere with me.

Lynca · 31/10/2023 13:30

Yes my phone goes pretty much everywhere with me.

But I use it a lot - an example of what I might use it for:

  • Apple Pay
  • Checking train times/buying train tickets
  • Maps, if I'm not familiar with the area, or I want to see roughly how long it will take to walk somewhere
  • My banking app, if a friend covers the bill I can transfer my share
  • Some restaurants use QR codes to order
  • Price comparison - I'd say I'm in boots and want to get something I might quickly check if it's much cheaper on Amazon
  • Taking photos if I'm out with the kids
  • Listening to music via Bluetooth to my headphones
  • I might have e-vouchers/virtual loyalty cards I want to use

And obviously for being reachable/being able to contact someone in case of an emergency.
I could get by without most of the above^^ but it makes my life a whole lot easier!

Milake · 31/10/2023 13:32

Estermay · 31/10/2023 13:21

I am talking about a bar with friends where dp will be picking me up at the end of the evening. I am not going on anywhere afterwards, I am too old for those kind of nights. And if I am up dancing it just becomes an encumbrance that I could easily lose. Its too big to have in my trouser pickets. And handbags are easily stolen.

Doesn't this mean that if your friends have to leave early for an unforseen resson then you have sit and wait for your dp? Or what if your dp gets stuck in traffic so will be late or there's an emergency and he can't come?

If you are relying on someone else to make sure you get home safely surely its better to have a way of getting in touch with them.

TrailingFig · 31/10/2023 13:32

Mostly tbh.
Unless I’m walking and don’t want to listen to my audiobook for some reason.

I would take to bars and shops as I use it to pay

TrailingFig · 31/10/2023 13:34

I don’t use it for social media though.

Applepay
Maps
Camera

I leave my cards and purse at home

EBearhug · 31/10/2023 13:34

It's usually with me. I first got one when I first got a car in the '90s, In case I broke down anywhere. I rarely use it as an actual phone, mostly a mini reference library, sat nav, camera.

Most of my clothes have sufficiently deep pockets - It's something I look for when buying clothes. I might not use it at all (the phone bit is generally on silent,) but what if the car breaks down or I can't get a taxi or my lift went home early or something? It's not easy to find a phonebox these days.

mindutopia · 31/10/2023 13:35

Not everywhere but I take it places where I am likely to need it. On the school run or if it's just popping to the shop, no, not necessarily. Unless I'm going to need to use Apple Pay or use my store card (which is on my phone), or I need to send an email or make a call while waiting at school. If I'm going for a run or a hike, yes, for navigation purposes or to listen to a podcast. I nearly always have it when driving anywhere beyond walking distance, in case of a breakdown. I can't really think of many scenarios when it would be better to leave it at home for safety reasons. I do a lot of sea swimming and sometimes I'll leave it in the car instead of on the beach if I am worried about it being lost or stolen, but I'd always have it somewhere nearby even for swims, because you never know in open water if someone might have an emergency and I might need to ring someone.

user1496146479 · 31/10/2023 13:36

In your scenarios I would have it. If anything happened to DC while I was at the bar, I'd need to be contactable. Also use it for paying for stuff with Apple Pay, so need my phone,

Out in the garden pottering about, then no

Deathwillbebutapause · 31/10/2023 13:38

Mine has a step counter on it and I hate not taking it about with me because I'll miss out on steps. I'm just over 5/6 of the way to the Earth's Core. Can't. Stop. Now.

Gruntsandgroans · 31/10/2023 13:38

Yes. I have teens so when I'm out they are usually at home unsupervised or out themselves. They also have to bring their phones with them and be contactable.

Oganesson118 · 31/10/2023 13:39

Yep - I have so much stuff on it, Apple Pay, various store cards, train tickets...

Enderunicorn · 31/10/2023 13:39

I do, I don't take a wallet, my phone is how I pay for things.

BlazingWorld · 31/10/2023 13:39

I don't, no. I went to a spa for the day yesterday and didn't take it, it would have just sat in the locker all day anyway. If "anything happened to the DC" which is vanishingly unlikely while they are at school, Dh knew which spa I was at and could have phoned them, like in the old days.
And when I am at home half the time it is in a bag in a cupboard, or in another room, or down the back of the sofa.

Mothership4two · 31/10/2023 13:41

I wouldn't necessarily take it to the local shops but usually if I go out then I take it. Always take it when walking the dog - just in case. I don't use it that often though. It doesn't have apps so can't use it for payments or maps etc.

I was in my late 20s when I got one and had survived OK before. Generally if you needed to contact someone urgently there were phone boxes unless you were in the middle of nowhere. You did used to see people walking on the side of roads (motorways, dual carriageways and other roads) when they must have had a car issue whereas now people either sit in it or by it waiting for help.