One of the things I miss the most about the 1900s is that people didn’t expect you to be reachable 24/7. Even though cellphones had been around since the 80s very few people had one. That meant that most people could only be reached through the family landline. If you didn’t answer people would just assume you were out of the house, thus unreachable. That all started to change in the 2000s when cellphones became common place. Now days I feel like everyone expects me to pick up when they call, and if I don’t they expect a better excuse than “I don’t feel like talking right now.” As a very introverted person who often needs a lot of alone time, it sucks, and sometimes I really wish I could go back to a world without cellphones.
However, it was also normal for people to come and visit unannounced because they were close by. It is rare people don’t phone ahead now before visiting. This can be a good or a bad thing, you don’t tend to get visitors when it is inconvenient but there is also less spontaneity.
I leave my phone on do not disturb, all of the time. I make it a point to tell people that when I give out my number, so they never expect an immediate answer or response. The phone is there for my convenience, not so others have me at theirs.
I remember meeting up with friends was either you stay together after school or try to guess where they might be at that moment. Maybe they’re in this persons basement because they just got an n64, or maybe they’re playing ball in the field, etc.
Now it’s all very organized and less chances to get lost and find your way back. I sometimes wonder what would happen if the cell network was just gone one day, for whatever reason.
There is nothing stopping you from putting your phone on… say, a kitchen counter, and leaving it there and only talking on it while in that room and don’t take it with you, when you go out.
I had a rotary phone until 2017 (and needed to stay in touch with my grandfather after my grandmother died) so I ported my landline number to a cellphone.
Now that most of my family is gone, I routinely leave the phone at home. I can let it go to voicemail just like I used to let the answering machine take the calls when I was out.
and if I don’t they expect a better excuse than “I don’t feel like talking right now.”
You don’t owe them a explanation though. If they demand a answer, you can just lie, joke or tease them a bit. “I was busy, painting a horse” or “I was attempting a new record at standing on my head.” Or just reply with “did you want something?” if they keep pushing the issue.
Or alternatively, have your friends worry about you. Say you unavailable as you were drunk/high/intoxicated out of your mind. As times goes on, cite inebriation by ever-more exotic and illegal substances.
One of the things I miss the most about the 1900s is that people didn’t expect you to be reachable 24/7. Even though cellphones had been around since the 80s very few people had one. That meant that most people could only be reached through the family landline. If you didn’t answer people would just assume you were out of the house, thus unreachable. That all started to change in the 2000s when cellphones became common place. Now days I feel like everyone expects me to pick up when they call, and if I don’t they expect a better excuse than “I don’t feel like talking right now.” As a very introverted person who often needs a lot of alone time, it sucks, and sometimes I really wish I could go back to a world without cellphones.
However, it was also normal for people to come and visit unannounced because they were close by. It is rare people don’t phone ahead now before visiting. This can be a good or a bad thing, you don’t tend to get visitors when it is inconvenient but there is also less spontaneity.
I leave my phone on do not disturb, all of the time. I make it a point to tell people that when I give out my number, so they never expect an immediate answer or response. The phone is there for my convenience, not so others have me at theirs.
I remember meeting up with friends was either you stay together after school or try to guess where they might be at that moment. Maybe they’re in this persons basement because they just got an n64, or maybe they’re playing ball in the field, etc.
Now it’s all very organized and less chances to get lost and find your way back. I sometimes wonder what would happen if the cell network was just gone one day, for whatever reason.
There is nothing stopping you from putting your phone on… say, a kitchen counter, and leaving it there and only talking on it while in that room and don’t take it with you, when you go out.
I had a rotary phone until 2017 (and needed to stay in touch with my grandfather after my grandmother died) so I ported my landline number to a cellphone.
Now that most of my family is gone, I routinely leave the phone at home. I can let it go to voicemail just like I used to let the answering machine take the calls when I was out.
It’s only a digital leash if you let it be.
You don’t owe them a explanation though. If they demand a answer, you can just lie, joke or tease them a bit. “I was busy, painting a horse” or “I was attempting a new record at standing on my head.” Or just reply with “did you want something?” if they keep pushing the issue.
My go to is: I was uh… doing something
My default… (which often is the actual case)
“Ack… The phone battery died again.”
Or alternatively, have your friends worry about you. Say you unavailable as you were drunk/high/intoxicated out of your mind. As times goes on, cite inebriation by ever-more exotic and illegal substances.
LOL!
How deliciously evil! :)
This and FOMO was very limited.