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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:
Alwayswonderedwhy · 31/10/2023 13:42

Yes. I use it to pay for everything and also want my kids to be able to contact me.

MajorBarbara · 31/10/2023 13:43

I don't take mine to bed, or the toilet. Apart from that it is usually somewhere near or on me. Not that I get or send loads of texts or calls but when out and about it's handy for maps, bus/train timetables, etc.

Caspianberg · 31/10/2023 13:43

Yes always with me. It’s just expected that you will be contactable most the time now.

I had unexpected but important calls in the end today just between 8am-10am. From nursery, hospital and grandparent. All whilst I was either around house or just 5mins away. But needed to all be answered.

dudsville · 31/10/2023 13:46

I don't, but I'm not a parent and I'm of a generation that didn't have mobiles until early 20s, so I have experience of not being contactable and that being normal and fine.

Notmetoo · 31/10/2023 13:46

Surely the very time you would need it most would be when going to a bar. Even if you won't need to call for a taxi you may need to contact someone.
I dont feel comfortable if I don't have my phone when I go out

UpInYourHead · 31/10/2023 13:46

Yes, I take it most places, definitely on a night out, for Apple Pay and Uber. I also like to know I can contact someone and that I’m contactable if necessary. I’ve never lost a phone.

Gnomegarden32 · 31/10/2023 13:47

Yes but I don’t like it. If I possessed a modicum of a sense of direction and didn’t need the GPS I wouldn’t 😅

CranfordScones · 31/10/2023 13:50

Almost never take my phone when I leave the house, unless I'm going to be away overnight.

StarkRealism · 31/10/2023 13:54

Always got my phone. Apple Pay, CarPlay if driving, entertainment if on public transport, let my partner know where I am/when I’m leaving if he’s picking me up. Better to have it and not need it than the other way round.

Lochness1975 · 31/10/2023 13:55

I take mine everywhere I go.

If I’m out I pay for drinks and food on it, book Uber or taxis, let dp know where I am, take photos, order food and drinks at the table and so on.

If I’m in work, I drive long distances for my job, I use it through my car to listen to podcasts, it’s there as back if I break down or need assistance, I had to call the emergency derives a while back for others.

If I’m at home it’s by my bed as I use the alarm to wake up, plus my elderly parents can contact me straight away or dads care agency (which they do frequently!)

We can all see each others locations which is handy when the dc are out to know where they are (before anyone says anything we are all happy with this arrangement!)

if I’m in the gym or out for a walk I listen to music and podcast. popping to the shop-yes as I can guarantee someone will always text saying ‘I forgot to ask you to get X’.

I would be lost without it!!

PleaseBePacific · 31/10/2023 13:56

Always as it's the only thing I use to pay with

PleaseBePacific · 31/10/2023 13:57

Not to mention my bus pass, and Spotify are on it and I use them every day

LunaMay · 31/10/2023 13:59

I take it out with me but i don't really check it, it's more if anyone needs to get on to me.

At home i barely look at it, throw it on the table or bench when i get home and usually check it before bed. If it's important they'll message me on messenger...

margotrose · 31/10/2023 14:02

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.

So if your DP can't come and collect you, how is he supposed to let you know?

easylikeasundaymorn · 31/10/2023 14:02

why would you assume you'd lose it at a bar? Are you particularly prone to losing things? I've had a mobile for about 20 years (covering my 6th form/uni party days, holidays abroad, etc) and I've never lost one or had one stolen. I know lots of people do but it's hardly inevitable.

Anyway yes I always take mine with me when I leave the house but wouldn't be astounded if someone else didn't. I don't always have it with me while I'm in the house though - sometimes I lock it in my car for a day etc. so I don't get distracted faffing around when I'm supposed to be working.

CrabbiesGingerBeer · 31/10/2023 14:05

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.

I bought a running belt for mine so I can carry it whether or not I have my bag with me. The belt holds the phone, a credit card (since I’m paranoid about having a flat battery when I need to pay for something) and my keys.

It goes under a draped top and is invisible. I don’t go dancing but as it’s designed for running, I’m sure it would be fine.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 31/10/2023 14:06

Yes of course. Most recently went into the city with friends so was able to use it for navigation, tickets, photos, and ordering drinks to the table via a QR code.
I certainly don’t sit there doom scrolling whilst everyone is socialising around me!

Coffeerum · 31/10/2023 14:07

How can you say whether you will "need it" or not though?
Also seems weird to leave it at home if you are going somewhere and your DH is picking you up. What if you want to leave earlier, or later, or go to a different place? Why make things more difficult?

hadfirm · 31/10/2023 14:07

I take mine everywhere, including in the house. I don't pay with it but it's useful in lots of ways, and I take photos regularly when I'm out with my dc.

Ponoka7 · 31/10/2023 14:11

I didn't used to take mine into the toilet in a restaurant, until I got locked in and it took around fifteen minutes to be noticed. I've been a carer, still am but to a less vulnerable person, so that was my reason. If I leave it to go to the pub at the end of the road (that my DD also lives in), we always get into a discussion which Google is needed to solve.

ButWhatIsIt · 31/10/2023 14:12

Mine is on silent permanently, only leaves the house with me if I'm going to work or a long solo car journey, and certainly doesn't go to bed with me.
It spends its life either in the car or on the kitchen counter.

RedPony1 · 31/10/2023 14:15

Estermay · 31/10/2023 13:16

@LemonRedwood what about if you are close enough to just walk home?

i don't walk places, i never just go to one place so walking is off the cards, no time for that.

I never go anywhere without my phone, if i'm showering it's in the bathroom playing music, if i'm in the car it's playing music. When i'm at the stables, it's also playing music, chatting to friends on loud speaker etc.
If i'm out out, it's in my handbag, which i wouldn't go out without anyway.

I make sure my mum takes hers everywhere too.

Edited to add - i also pay with it everywhere, although i could use my watch for that.

gannett · 31/10/2023 14:20

Always when I leave the house unless I'm going for a run. Even if I'm just popping to the shops I wear headphones and listen to music on it.

It's not surgically attached when I'm at home though.

Graphista · 31/10/2023 14:24

Yes, I have multiple health issues and a disability, inc Mh and anxiety. It contains all my medical info and emergency contacts.

I also have an astounding ability to get lost so it helps then too.

Also society (and certainly public transport! - I don't drive) is set up for mainly contactless ideally applepay or similar for fares too.

I have music on when going from a to b as it helps the anxiety too.

Rarely without my phone.

Just a warning re Apple Pay though, I got caught out last Xmas and as a result learned that in the bank small print (and not just this bank) you are told not to rely solely on apply pay to have other forms of payment with you. So now I always have my purse and cash on me too.

Burnoutwhat · 31/10/2023 14:24

Yes but I've never lost a phone. I've had one for 20 years including plenty of clubbing time. I'm surprised a grown adult would think they'd be at risk of losing their phone just at a bar tbh. But each to their own.