To find people who refuse to embrace technology irritating?

[Sophiehoney]

I don't mean people who genuinely struggle

I am irritated with people who absolutely refuse to even try.
I am sure a lot of the time they do it on purpose. They use the whole "I don't do technology" thing as a personality trait, to be quirky and "not like all you young people" when simply being a bit older is not a reason in itself, as Mumsnet proves!!

People at my work are moaning like hell because the system of filling in patients notes at the end of the shift in a book with a pen has been replaced by handheld devices (basically phones) that are more secure and can be completed on the go. They are so simple but some people are refusing to learn so others are filling their notes in for them.

A lady at the doctor's today point blank refused to even try to sign herself in on the machine. It was literally just a case of pressing a button and then filling in a form with her name and DOB using a keyboard. She declared proudly "I'm not doing this, I don't do technology, I don't even have a mobile phone!" And made he poor stressed receptionist with a line of people waiting come out and do it for her.

My mum will pop round a million times a week with "something she needs me to on her iPad" and it's usually just something trivial like reading an email and sending a one line reply that I know she is capable of. I've stated getting my 13 year old to do and she pays him £1 every time so every cloud 🤷

But these people do irritate me when they expect others to pick up their slack by refusing to try.

AIBU?

Were all these Tech inventions designed to help us or are they produced so that the big companies can make more profits and the owners become the richest men in the world?
My Dad struggles because he did not work with computers. They were introduced about 2 years after he left. As someone said upthread, things change so quickly.
His phone is two years old but he needs to replace it (£250) because the App for his hearing aids is not supported on his phone. It sometimes works! Grrr!

Depends on what it is related to. We don't have a tablet at home and have no intention of getting one. The school have talking about my child being set up on an online maths account. I've told them no, that all work needs to be on worksheets. I don't care if it gives them more work.

👍

Funny how the oldies claim the youngsters have no resilience, yet they excuse themselves from bothering to download and learn apps because they can't be bothered!! It sounds like it's the oldies who don't have any resilience!

I get that, they can be annoying with the checks, but you probably only got checked because it was your first time using it.
Also, once you get used to it, you don't think about having to scan every item, you just do it, and it takes a second.
Then you just sail out at the end, with everything already packed and ready to go. I probably get a bag check once every 10 shops or so now.

Maybe not for everyone, but I find it much more convenient.

Because that's yet another thing to do.

To an extent I understand why some people don't want to embrace technology. It's not always easy, the app doesn't always work, the internet crashes and it's made the world a lot less friendly. For example my kids hate talking on the phone because now it's all text or snapping each other.
My mum couldn't even get to grips with a mobile (she was 82 when she died) and would never have been able to use the internet but I'm not sure it's to do with age. My dad is 80 has a smartphone, does internet banking and is probably better with technology than I am.
I do miss the days before internet and phone banking. In fact my favourite shop is the hairdresser I use. No internet you actually have to phone up or pop in to make an appointment. She doesn't take card only cash or cheque (my kids looked confused at that, like what is a cheque?). She has a proper appointment book and writes appointments on cards for her customers. I absolutely love it.
Sorry went off on one there but I don't know why you'd be annoyed by people who don't like technology. Ignore your colleagues and as for the ridiculous woman in the doctor let's just hope she's not in there a lot.

Some will be area dependent. My mum lives in a small town known for retirees on a street of bungalows. They are all widows. None have internet at home. No one uses a smart phone.
The whole area is set up for none tech use. To be fair it’s very rare she troubles me to do anything for her. Lots done by word of mouth. There’s a local pamphlet advertising trades - no need to look online. Or she notes numbers down out and about eg she got her latest gardener by seeing van next door but one and noticed he did a good job.
The buying a fridge or tv example - there’s a local appliance shop you go in pick nice man delivers it and sets it up.
Theres a family plumbing company doing a roaring trade - you call a nice girl to book and pay for your boiler service. Not British Gas online bookings.
She shops in Iceland it’s a better version of online shopping to her - on a Tuesday it’s 10% off for pensioners. You pick your things, pay at till (she even has a preference for cashier) and they deliver it free.
Dr, pharmacy all old school- she gets repeat prescriptions by paper slip.
Bus she goes in office at bus station and they still have paper timetables.
To book a train ticket she goes in main station office.
Banking she uses post office or building society. They vote with feet - one bank had a bossy woman trying to force her to use self service she now goes elsewhere. Her neighbour was being told to use a banking app - she rang my mum in a tizz what to do. Withdraw all your money and put in building society.
Local travel agent you call in or ring to book coach holidays or day trips.
It’s an area where civil service used to be a big employer so lots of pensioners on decent pensions. The local trades and businesses that are offering old fashioned service are thriving.
I struggle to think of anything she can’t do. Yes it may cost a bit more sometimes. She’s happy to pay a premium for service and can afford it. She’s 80 but got full faculties and is quite happy navigating the world this way.

That might be the key. I do deliberately try to "live life slower".