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Original poster

Mobile phones

52 replies

Lindy · 03/05/2002 16:10

Just out of interest - how many mumsnetters DON'T have mobile phones.

I sometimes feel I am the only person left in the country who doesn't have one ! Talking to my babysitter last night & she was absolutely horrified that I didn't have one (& I stress it was nothing to do with her being able to contact me, obviously I leave her the number where I will be, plus next door neighbour's number).

I have absolutely no interest in getting one (although I sometimes think it would be sensible if I broke down or in an emergency) - quite frankly I hate them.

Am I just an out of date old git at 44?

Look forward to your comments!!

OP posts:
star · 09/05/2002 16:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Tinker · 31/10/2002 14:06

Oh my god, I'm so sorry but, I've been GIVEN A MOBILE PHONE by my employers! I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, feel like I'm letting The Resistance down!!!

janh · 31/10/2002 15:23

There, there, Tinker. Just keep it switched off.

Clarinet60 · 31/10/2002 20:12

I haven't got one either, Tinker. DH got his first this year and has hardly used it. If it ever rings, I just ignore it coldly and no, I wouldn't know his number without looking it up. And neither would he. It's not the technology I object to (I love my pc and emailing) it's being contactable wherever and whenever. I feel as though I'm being summoned, and resent land-line phones too.

Original poster
Lindy · 31/10/2002 22:17

Tinker - shocked to hear your news!

I was in London today (that's a big event if you live in the sticks!!) & was amazed at the number of people using mobiles - even crossing the roads & just chatting away despite all the traffic!! One girl was talking to someone (her mum?) arranging where to meet,as she approached the Eye and they actually bumped into each other whilst on the phone!

I must be in the last century, but prefer it that way!

OP posts:
Tinker · 31/10/2002 22:21

I'm shuddering at the thought.

"Please don't let me learn how to text, please don't let me learn how to text"

WideWebWitch · 31/10/2002 22:22

Oh you have to, the possibilities are endless. Love my mobile, permanently welded to my ear. Would be bereft without it...

Tinker · 31/10/2002 22:25

I almost had a phone rage incident today. Woman barged past me in shop, obviously having extremely 'important' conversation on phone and oblivious to anyone else. I caught myself visualising snatching the phone out of her hand and stamping on it and saying 'There, what are you going to do about that?'

bossykate · 31/10/2002 22:27

always wondered why texting had got so popular...

my dh then told me it was because ur mbl wsnt allwd 2 rng at skl...

then i felt much better for not being a texting fan!

bossykate · 31/10/2002 22:31

tinker, calm, calm... have you tried lavender oil for relaxation?

or should that be...

hve u trd lvndr 4 rlx8tn?

if it's not obvious by now - i don't have much time for "txt spk"! obviously that says more about me (especially age-wise sigh!) than anyone who is a regular texter and i have no wish to offend!

WideWebWitch · 31/10/2002 22:33

bossykate, I don't do all that, far too old too, but most phones have predictive text now so it types proper sentences and words and everything faster than you could abbreviate...I know, I won't persuade you luddites...wasting my breath.

bossykate · 31/10/2002 22:39

www, i'm embarrassed, if you have seen that ad on tv where the mobile phone has to wear a brown paper bag over itself - that is my mobile! have a week off next week to catch up on non-essential chores (yes no doubt it will be as exciting as it sounds!) and one of my key things is to get a mobile upgrade. then i too will have that predictive writing thingy - then i might have to eat my words and will be texting right, left etc!

SueW · 01/11/2002 10:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Tinker · 04/11/2002 00:13

Foolishly gave someone my new number on Friday and got 2 TEXT MESSAGES!!!!

Depsite 2 hours of reading the book, I didn't manage to work out how to reply.

I think it's going to be OK!

KMG · 04/11/2002 18:29

Tinker - keep persevering. My dh gave me my new phone just before a 5 hr drive for a weekend away. We stopped at 2 sets of services on the way to ask advice from phone shops. I spent all weekend reading the book, playing with the phone, and asking advice in phone shops. FINALLY worked out how to text after 3 days! Honestly.

That was 10 months ago and Dh now regrets he ever bought be it - I am completely addicted and spend ages texting every day.

Original poster
Lindy · 04/11/2002 21:06

Tinker - why bother to learn, you've lived without it so far?!!

Did anyone else read the article today, mainly about the health service, but saying (amongst some other interesting comments!!) that doctors have on occasions had to do gynocological (SP?) examinations on women whilst they (the women, not the doctor!!) are chatting away on their mobiles, arranging their social lives!!

ps: am I the last one on Mumsnet without a mobile now?!!

OP posts:
Clarinet60 · 06/11/2002 23:15

No Lindy, there's me too, and I'm never, EVER EVER going to give in!!!!!!

Tinker · 07/11/2002 00:06

When I said 'it's ok' I meant I'll never get the hang of it. I won't give in in spirit, I've not boughtit, it's not mine, I haven't really got one, I keep it switched off!

Original poster
Lindy · 07/11/2002 17:34

Well said Droile, we'll stick together, Tinker - come back & join us when you've lost that phone - don't they always get stolen pretty quickly anyway?!!

OP posts:
Azzie · 12/11/2002 09:10

I just got my mobile phone bill for October ... wait for it .... a grand total of 56 pence! So I obviously use it even less than I thought.

Chinchilla · 12/11/2002 22:19

Mine and my dh's are always about that amount Azzie, and what amazes me is that the company take our direct debit each month without fail! You would have thought that they would wait until the charges had accrued to an amount that was worth taking wouldn't you?!

slug · 13/11/2002 13:35

As a teacher, mobile phones are the bane of my life. Students don't seem to able to get it into their heads that classes are for learning, not having conversations with their mates. We have a strict rule about phones (switched off and out of sight during class) which is routinely flouted. When you try and confiscate the damn things, you're inevitalby met with howls of outrage. "but it's important!"

I've lost count of the times I've come across the little horrors, phones under desks, surritiously texting each other. I've even confiscated them in exams.

Having said that, I have one myself. It's strictly used for the "Where are you, are you on your way home?" type conversations. I use pay as you go because I think I spent about 10 quid on calls last year, and most of that was texting my 2 closest friends while I was in labour.

WideWebWitch · 13/11/2002 14:23

My biggest mobile bill ever was £200 for the month. Shouldn't be on this thread really as am an addict not a mobile hater but thought it might make you lot feel smug about not being users

Original poster
Lindy · 13/11/2002 22:24

Shock - shopping in Sainsburys today a salesperson offered to 'upgrade' my mobile for the newest version, he didn't have an answer when I said that I didn't have one & didn't want one!!

Slug - outrageous that schoolchildren have mobiles switched on in school hours - can't you confiscate them?

OP posts:
slug · 14/11/2002 09:33

Only at risk of severe personal injury. I teach very large 16 - 18 year olds in one of the roughest parts of London. We regularly have gang fights outside college with machetes involved, so sometimes it's best to take the safest option and eject the student, phone and all. Trouble is that if I do that they take revenge by phoning all their friends in the class who of course still have their mobile phones switched on. The view it as a matter of personal liberty.

Roll on phone blocking technology.

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