Poll: Cellphones

[simmeh]

Small story: I was once asked to look up a few phone numbers of people who were absent at a group meeting. Upon returning, I got asked, "Why didn't you call them?" After explaining the situation, I got asked, "You don't have a cellphone? What's wrong with you?"

Now, I recently inherited a cellphone. I've never owned one up to this point, and never saw the point. I dislike the idea that people can talk to me all the time - I like my privacy, and I don't like getting phonecalls. Yes, it's nice to have around when I get stuck somewhere and need directions or something, and I would get one and use one if my job required, but having a device that allows anyone with knowledge of the number to call you any time they like puts me off.

Then, there was the time I attempted to send a text message. All I had to do was send "I'm in Oakville" to my sister so she could pick me up at the train station. The result was a single incomprehensible (Hohnma5tille) word because I couldn't figure out how to change letters or type in a space. I since know how to do these things, but I still dislike the idea of text-messaging. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's the fact that people do it incessantly, even when you're trying to talk to them. Maybe it's the fact that it fosters poor English. I don't know. I just hope I never have to send another text message in my life.

So, what's your relation to cellphones?

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

EDIT: Sorry, hit the post button by accident. I'm fixing this now.

I'll answer the poll then.

I use my mobile all the time. I prefer ringing to texting and if possible I use a landline over a mobile. It's useful for arranging things while on the go and finding out where people are to meet them.

Did I guess your post correctly? Woohoo!

 

[Sampler]

You know they do have an off button - and generally voicemail incase someone calls you when you have it switched off - best of both worlds, mobile when you need/want it and privacy when you don't want the phone.

Seems a simple idea to me.

 

[SmilingKitsune]

I own one and use it quite a bit I guess, not sure about all the time but that's the poll option I chose.

 

[Skeleon]

Yes, but I only use it for professional/emergency calling

This.

 

[fenrizz]

I got a cellphone, had several over the years.
Use it all the time, both to make calls and send texts.
I also use it as an mp3 player and to take pictures.

 

[Souplex]

My cellphone is basically a stripped down walkie talkie, I only use it for work and a pager would be just as useful.

 

[Theissen]

Interesting topic.

I have a cell phone, but I don't use it all the time. I don't use it for emergencies or work only. I use it occasionally. Sometimes when I have to plan stuff, text messages is an easy way to contact friends and arrange it. Also, you can always keep the messages and check what they wrote in case you forgot.

I, however, despise small-talk over text messages. My sister, whom I care a lot about, has bickered about how I never write back on her messages. While I understand it might be frustrating to not get a reply, I feel stressed and annoyed over the fact that I'm available all the time, thus I must write back asap. Or that's at least the opinion that's being forced upon me.

For small-talk and such, e-mailing is much better. It's not the norm to check your email every minute so it's very easy to control when you want to reply. It suits me much better. Lately, though, my sister has found out about how I feel about text-messaging. She accepts it, but I'm sure she's not 100 % content.

In conclusion, I have the same attitude towards text-messaging as I do to emailing, but that doesn't fit the norm of text-messaging. The norm in regards to text-messaging is expecting instant replies, which I find extremely stressful and annoying. That aside, though, a cell phone is convenient and awesome. Especially because they are becoming more and more like mobile media platforms.

 

[chefassassin2]

I have a cell phone primarily for calling and texting. I rarely, if ever, have it set louder than vibrate, however, because I hat being "That Guy". I rarely use it in public unless I'm away from other people or using it to call my distributors to make an order. I got it because for awhile I was moving around quite a bit, and it got to be a hassle to have a phone, move, get another number, move, get another number, and so on. it's easier to just have one phone that goes with me.

 

[Arcticflame]

Err.. other. Yes, but I barely use it.

Why is that not in the poll?

 

[Subzerowings]

I once got a cellphone for my birthday from my friend, sadly though I have never used it and have never needed to either. I think this whole cellphone thing is overrated. Then again I'm a social reject who plays obscure japanese games.

 

[Sigel]

Yes, I have a cell phone, I use it to text, and I use it fairly often. It's a Razor and it reminds me of a star trek communicator, so it makes me happy.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Don't rely on the thing. I too hate talking on the phone.

It's worse when trying to buy one. I just need one that makes phonecalls, yet those idiot salesmen insist on prattling off all the non-phone crap they have.

 

[Fairee]

I have a phone, I send the odd text when someone isn't online and I need/really want to talk to them. Other than that, I use it in place of a watch. Seriously.

Edit - I'd like to point out that every single one of my texts is done in normal proper English rather than textspeak. I hate it as much as the OP, if not more.

 

[Graustein]

I have a mobile, and I use it quite frequently, but rarely if ever for social reasons. I'll call people I'm due to meet up with somewhere for coordination purposes, I call my parents when I need a lift and so on. I use it a lot for communication, but not for chat. I only use it for the latter when I've got credit I need to burn.

 

[ae86gamer]

I own a phone and I use it all the time. I'm mainly texting friends or calling people, but I'm always on it.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

I have a phone, but I never use it outside of emergencies.
This whole teenage culture surrounding phones just annoys me.
Then again, most teenage culture annoys me.
I am an irritable old man.

 

[koichan]

After explaining the situation, I got asked, "You don't have a cellphone? What's wrong with you?"

Similar reaction i get when people find out i don't drive, or watch TV

Back to the topic, i have one of the hybrid PDA/phone devices (HTC TYTN2) which goes with me absolutely everywhere.
must admit i use the actual phone functions quite rarely (calls/texts) so technically i probably count as the 'Yes, but I only use it for professional/emergency calling' option.
but it gets used very often for email and web browsing, functions as my mp3 player, organiser, alarm clock and also sat nav for when i get lost and as a 3G modem for my laptop when needed.

if you could strip out the ability to make calls but kept it's internet connection, it'd probably take me weeks to even realise

 

[eatenbyagrue]

I have one, but I may as well not. I never use the little bugger, and I'm normally in class or at the theatre or someplace that requires me to stow it, so I normally keep it on silent, and I even turned off the vibration so my attention isn't disrupted by a sudden tingling sensation around my crotch area.

And then when I'm with people, they complain that I never message them, which I find really stupid, because I'M THERE TALKING TO THEM RIGHT NOW.

 

[Xvito]

I have a cellphone (thanks to my parents), but I don't like it and I rarely (never) use it.

--Xvito, keeping it excellent.