How do you feel about the telphone?
By pillusch
@pillusch (1147)
Mexico
April 14, 2008 11:04pm CST
Slavery was supposed to be abolished a couple of centuries back, but how about the modern day slavery of the telephone?
It took me years to educate (and yes, I mean educate) my wife not to answer the phone when we were talking. The message she sent me was: Hey, it's really cute to talk to you, but whoever is calling right now (and this was before you could see who was calling) is more important than you.
Because we live a modern life there isn't too much time my wife and kids and I spend together, usually a meal. I got them fortunately by now to a point where they don't jump up from their chairs when the telephone rings. I taught them, would you believe it, to let it ring. And, if the ringing gets too insistent, to disconnect the phone.
I challenge all of you to tell me about one important call you got and which you missed. If that call was really important (and heavens, there ar very few of them) didn't the person call back, let's say 20 minutes later?
Now, what with cellphones? You can't even go to the bathroom without somebody trying to get a hold of you! But it is for that reason that I give people ONLY my cellphone number, because I can switch that one off.
I feel a lot of privacy has gone since, about 50 years ago, people started installing phones in their homes. How do you feel about it, how do you deal with it?
5 responses
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
15 Apr 08
i've had this very discussion with my mother-
it's not the 1950's anymore,we have an answering machine.let it ring!
this is exactly why i don't have a cell-i would never get any peace.
@Esoteric1 (863)
• Canada
15 Apr 08
I agree with you, I seldom answer my phone as it is generally not important or not for me anyways. They could leave a message and or call back later. I wouldn't say people are slaves to them, albeit maybe a little bit too dependent on them. I know I am not.I just never cared to much for the phone, tho I do have one and a cell phone I barely use them both.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
18 Apr 08
well I am not controlled by a telephone or a man to tell me what to do or not to do. Nor do I tell my man what to do or not to do.
What was the last important phone call that I missed and then missed out because of it?
Last month, I did not answer the phone because I didn't fell like it, I was washing the dishes at the time. I later got the phone call but it was too late. I needed to go somewhere, and I can't because I am disabled. A friend new where I needed to go and it just so happened he was headed in that direction himself and called to say if you want a live I can drop you off on my way, it is now or never,
well I didn't answer the phone, and I didn't get to go where I needed to go, and he doesn't go in that direction anymore, he works in the opposite direction, I lost out.
@SukiSmiles (1991)
• United States
15 Apr 08
I am very connected to my phone and get both personal and business calls on it. So, if I'm with my family or doing something else where I don't want to be interrupted, I just don't answer it. They can leave a message and I'll get back to them.
@rovermadman (80)
• New Zealand
18 Apr 08
My biggest problem is the anti social affect of cellphones.
You can be having a conversation with someone but when their phone rings you are cast aside while they take the call.
This is downright rude and anti social.
Do people realise that you DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER IT.
i-pods are having a similar anti social affect.
How often have you seen a group of people together all listening to their i-pod.
What is wrong with actually talking to one another.
Is it a dying art.
