Cell phone ubiquity

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-1999
Cell phone ubiquity
13
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 11:38am

Is everyone assumed to have a cell phone now? Can a person function as a socialable and business-savvy individual without one?

I signed up for an on-line job fair (that's what they called it) with a large company a few weeks ago. When signing up, it asked for name, address, email. OK. Then it asked for cell phone number. Not phone number. Cell phone. Although I have a cell, I put in NONE, just to spite them. Do they assume all applicants have a cell phone?

There's an online dating match-up service called CrazyBlindDate (it's only in a few cities). To sign up, you had to give your cell phone number. Name and email, too, which I understand. But cell phone? To verify, they sent you a text message on your phone. You had to put the text message verification word into their website to sign up. Can't use their system without a cell phone. I reluctantly followed their instructions even while feeling sorry for people without cell phones.

My employer pays for my cell. When I leave my job, I lose the phone, and I doubt I will get another cell. I hardly ever use it as it is.

I saw a political blogger ridicule a candidate's campaign in Iowa by pointing out that the campaign director just got a Blackberry this month! This was presented as a sign of how lame this campaign was. Their campaign director is so far behind the times he didn't get a Blackberry until Nov 2007!

I'm not sure I want out society to become one where everyone is assumed to have a cell phone.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2003
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 12:17pm

I agree. I have a cell phone, but my friends and family bug me all the time because I use it ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES. Imagine that, just when I need it and not to have angry loud conversations with my friends or relatives in the department store line, while making everyone around me feel uncomfortable.


I would say it is pretty presumptious of that company to assume everyone has a cell phone. There are many older americans who don't because they weren't raised with them and don't see the need to spend the money.


As for me, my cell phone is very basic, but as long as I have something in my purse that I can use to call for help or directions, I'm good.


GT36

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 12:36pm

I hate the phone in general, and I don't like being connected 24/7. I broke down and got a cell phone earlier this year, but only because I was going on a solo road trip -- so it was for safety reasons.


It's a prepaid plan, and I get no end of grief from my friends for that. Apparently, you're uncool unless you can play music, videos, take photos, text, etc. with your phone. UGH. Oh, and all for only $99.99 a month. What a rip. I will never be that person. I like taking photos with a real camera. I like "old-fashioned" e-mails, with full sentences and complete words. (HATE texting).

I'm glad to have my cell phone for the odd occasion when I get a flat tire (happened a few weeks ago) or when I am trying to meet friends out, but I probably only use the phone a couple of times per month.

People got along just fine pre-cell, pre-Blackberry. At one time, you could vacation in peace and not feel the need to check your work e-mail every 10 minutes. I'll take that any day over having a piece of plastic attached to my ear all the time.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for northwestwanderer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 1:42pm

Eh, I'd say it's too late--I think we are already at the point where it's pretty much assumed everyone has a cell.


I use mine all the time now--I didn't see the need for one for a long time but now I can't imagine life without it and it makes things very inconvenient if you're dealing with someone who doesn't have one.


I'm not a texter however--I use my phone to make and receive *phone calls* (I know,

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 1:52pm

Is everyone assumed to have a cell phone now? Can a person function as a socialable and business-savvy individual without one?


************


YES! LoL As a matter of fact it is becoming pretty common NOT to have a land line. Look, being connected 24 /7 is a myth. You have voice mail and call screening, and I have no issue using them. I use the same phone for work and family, and in the times when the market is up and work is busy, that can be 40 or more calls a day incoming, easy.


The fact is in business if you are not willing to be accessible then the next ten people in line who are will surface . . . fair or not . . . in sales, If I am the guy doing the hiring, if I cant reach you, I'll kind of assume that is the same

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 3:26pm

>>YES! LoL As a matter of fact it is becoming pretty common NOT to have a land line. Look, being connected 24 /7 is a myth. You have voice mail and call screening, and I have no issue using them.


Agreed, agreed.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 3:26pm

>>in sales, If I am the guy doing the hiring, if I cant reach you,<<

Key word is sales. I do think you NEED one in sales, or you're sunk.

I also agree that it is your choice whether or not to answer. One of the rules from "Life's Little Instruction Book" back in the day was "the phone is there for your convenience - not the caller's." I have always followed that rule - even at home. If I'm in the middle of something, I don't always answer - but I do return messages.

I just returned from a walk in the park. Several other people were also walking, and about half were talking on their cell phones at the time. It's a beautiful day, and I think it's sad that they didn't fully enjoy the sunshine, view, etc. because they had to be connected. Some people DO seem to be connected 24/7, and I think that's really unnecessary. Multitasking is one thing, but when you miss out on the people and places in your current setting, that's when it gets to be too much.




Edited 11/26/2007 3:27 pm ET by tallgirlcolo

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 4:14pm

I'm with you....I HATE texting. It was awful for me when I had an overseas assignment where text messages were super cheap and calls were very expensive. It was 3 months of torture having to text all the time to communicate!


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2001
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 4:25pm

I have a cell phone and that is all I use.

Soliel
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 4:43pm

Not just sales kid . . how about a plumber, a general contractor, a Dr, a Lawyer, a manager, a detective, you name it . how many jobs would "benefit" from tieing an employee to there desk

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2007
In reply to: beren
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 6:54pm

I'm the only person I know that does not have a cell phone :)

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