Monday, January 13, 2014

Keeping Up With The Times (When Did I Turn Into A Fuddy Duddy?)


My kids swear we are the last people on earth to not have a data plan with our phone service. They might be right too. Having just a regular cell phone—texting option only—is such a rarity that when I recently tried to replace my old phone, the Pink Dinosaur, as my daughter called it, I couldn’t. AT&T offered only one model of phone without data plans. I call it extortion, a phone company’s empire forcing me to comply with their money-making scheme. My kids call it keeping up with the times.

My daughter, a senior in high school, is quietly hopeful that we will finally enter into the new millennium and get a data plan when our current phone contract runs out. Last night at the dinner table, my husband and son looked at plans available with and without smart phones. My husband asked me, “Do you want a smart phone plan or just a regular phone and plan? We can get that pretty cheap.”  I think he’s hopeful I’ll continue on in my inexpensive ignorance and stick with my dumb phone.

“What can you do with a smart phone?” I asked. I'd been listening to the discussion debating if I really needed to make the costly switch. “Can I get Pandora?” My needs are simple.

“Mom,” my daughter said patiently, “You can check your email, check in with Facebook, and yes, access Pandora.”

“Does it take up a lot of data to do that?” I asked, having no idea, really, what I was asking. My son assured me the plans we were considering would probably be more than enough to cover usages like Pandora. I began to think about always being able to check in with my email or Facebook or Twitter, not being dependent on available wifi connections. On second thought, I’m not sure that’s overly appealing to me.

I’m struggling to find a reason to switch to a data plan yet feeling like I’ll be missing out on something if I don’t. After all, all the other parents have one.

When I was a kid, our phone needs amounted to pocket change. Really. My mom and dad always made sure I had spare coins when I went out with friends in case I needed to call home. I realize if you’re under a certain age, you won’t remember the Ancient Ones’ reliance on public phones… phone booths… you know, the thing that Super Man went into to change into his super tights and cape… oh never mind.

While I’m waxing nostalgic on “when I was a kid”, I still remember when we got our color TV. It was a big deal. Other families already had one, but my dad never saw the need to switch from the black and white—it worked just fine. We had a hard time convincing him the wonder and splendor of Saturday morning cartoons in full Technicolor glory was worth the financial investment. But I’m sure once he caved and bought the state-of-the-art console TV, he enjoyed the MacNeil Leher News Hour in color as much as the next dad.

I also remember his reluctance to install air conditioning. Instead, we placed box fans in the windows so that they blew outside-- the theory being they would suck in the cooler night air. It was a hypothesis my pre-adolescent body knew was false from every sweaty pore it possessed. Night after night, during sticky summer heat, I lay on top of sheets, barely breathing, hoping even a light puff of air would cool and relieve my searing flesh. It rarely happened. It was stifling. But my father's conservative fiscal habits and ethics about not always having to keep up with the Joneses meant we made due with fans.  

My reluctance to buy into the newest, "bigger and better" gadget is an inheritance bequeathed to me during my own exasperated youth. Do I really need a data plan? Did I really need that DVD player a couple years ago?  I'm still mourning all my obsolete VHS tapes and wondering what kind of craft project I can make from them.

But perhaps the bigger point I should really be pondering is, when did I become so much like my dad and feel proud about that? On second thought, yes, I do want a smart phone. But here's to my dad, maybe looking down at me from his after-life location with a bit of satisfaction: At least I made my kids wait a year or two after it was a trend before caving.

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I must not be alone in my fear of technology. BlogHer has picked up on this post. Fuddy-duddies unite! http://www.blogher.com/wrestling-technology-i-have-become-fuddy-duddy

46 comments:

  1. LOVE this, Julie! We're so much alike! I had one of the "dinosaur" cell phones for years (mostly because of the price), and it was just fine. Then about six years ago...Has it been that long ago??... my youngest son and I flew to Pittsburgh because he was interested in a university there. Somehow I discovered that if I had a Blackberry phone, I wouldn't have to take my heavy, ancient laptop with me, and STILL be able to send and receive e-mails! So, I got one and I have loved it ever since. I also have texting and internet access. Oh, and it's a camera, too. BUT, my oldest son added it to HIS plan, and got me an upgraded one last year for my birthday. So, the fact that it's not costing me anything, really makes it perfect! :) I also am very slow to change, so while EVERYONE else has those new-fangled phones, I'm sticking with mine for as long as I can, even though the screen is much smaller and I do a LOT of squinting! LOL
    P.S. And about us being so much alike.....we had those same window fans and even as a five-year-old, I kept asking "WHY doesn't the fan blow the air INTO the house??" We didn't have a color TV until around 1970. We only had one phone, although I so wanted to have a pink princess phone, etc.etc!! Have a blissful week, Julie!

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    1. Becky, your response totally made me smile. My daughter has almost convinced me that one I get a smart phone, I will really love having one. I think I have about caved. I'm SO SLOW to get on board though. It took me forever to get a cell phone in the first place!

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    2. Julie, I'm glad I made you smile! :)

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  2. Julie,
    As much as I hate to say it, I think your daughter is right. You'll love it. If for no other reason, the cameras are great One less thing to carry around. My kids laugh because my phone is way smarter than me! I have to admit it's also nice to have them teach me how to use it. Some much needed quality time for me too.

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    1. Annemarie-- "quality time" indeed! I feel that way every time I try to do something new with technology. Yeahhhh, I think I'm ready to give in to the pressure. ;) Now, the next feat will be getting me to actually turn the sucker on. I'm harassed to no end by my prodigy for never actually turning on my cell phone!

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  3. I have to say I absolutely LOVE my iPhone. (I've had one for about 3 years, just upgraded to the latest and greatest when my husband's pink dinosaur died and he inherited my older iPhone.) Yet I too am a dinosaur in many ways: prefer print books (although I have a Kindle), don't have cable TV, like handwritten letters… but the iphone? It's a planet of its own. Not to mention an amazing way to keep in touch with my kids!

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    1. I probably won't go as fancy-shmancy as an iphone.. whoaaa... one small step at a time.I'm too cheap. I admit it.

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  4. Oh Julie, this was delightful on many levels...the nostalgia being top! I could regale you with stories on frugality.

    And heck, now that I have a smart phone (I told you that, didn't I?), I need to look into plans myself. Got a friend in the know, just gotta sit down with him. I got an iPod for Christmas...still have to figure that out. Gonna download all my 80's faves. I think I can upload cds into mp3 format...dang, I need kids to explain this all to me! Heck, to do it for me.

    Great post!

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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    1. I wondered if you finally got one! I do like my iPod too, although use it mostly when working out. I'm one of those who likes silence in the house. I hope you enjoy them both! And yes, having kids helps!

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  5. I'd probably cave if I had kids at home, but being a bit older than you, I can hang on to my desire to be less connected unless there's an emergency. I use TracFone which I pay for annually (and costs a lot less than any regular phone contract); I've only given out my cell phone number to a few people; and even though I can access a browser on my phone, I choose not to waste my minutes doing that. I felt I'd become thoroughly modern by learning how to text my kids. :D

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    1. I do love the text feature of my current phone. Suits my "short to the point" writer's heart well.

      I looked into TracFones! Good plans. Where I live we have such limited availability with towers. I feel for your reluctance!

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  6. I like having a data plan though I don't use it much. Beware of kids and data plans. They can really suck up your usage. Our limit is fine when the kids are at college where they're on wifi all the time, but when they're not, they really use it up. My children were the last of their friends to have smart phones but they so appreciated it when they received them.

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    1. I think my kids are the last among their friends too. Good advice on the usage too. Our "deal" was a limited plan and if they went over, they paid. It was a per phone plan, so they'd be accountable.

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  7. This makes me laugh because I grew up with fans as well. I lived with my grandparents and they believe an A/C would "run" up the electric bill so we had to live without that luxury. I had two fans in my bedroom to stave off any potential sweat stains when I was getting dressed to go somewhere. Not fun.

    As an adult, I carried on the tradition by holding out on switching from cassettes to CD's which I just gave up for downloads. Same with VHS to DVD although I still have my VCR but never use. And I didn't start texting until about five or six years ago and I swore I would never do it.

    Believe me, you'll enjoy having a data plan. :)

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    1. Oh I think we're on the same timeline. Good grief. I only gave into texting after my son went to college-- it was a quick and easy way to stay in touch with him.

      Oh yes, trying to dress without wilting. THAT brings back memories!

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  8. I too resist certain technologies --- my cell phone is an inexpensive one with the Page Plus plan, simple and inexpensive to maintain. I don't text, and I take photos with a nice non-telephone camera. I rather enjoy my fuddy-duddyishness! Enjoyed your post. I get it. Have a fabulous day!

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    1. Let's here it for celebrating our.. "ethics to refuse caving to the ever-demanding attention of technology" (it sounds way more righteous than being fuddy-duddy.) :)

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  9. You're too young to be a fuddy-duddy. I am old enough, and I am one. I don't even have a cell phone, although my wife does and I use hers occasionally.

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    1. This is now my favorite comment, because you said I was too young. ;)

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  10. I'm like you. I've only had a cell phone for two years now. I do have a smart phone, but I use repbulic wireless. It is an internet based phone (it uses cellular too) which is great for people that use their data plans most when they have access to internet, like at home or work. I do most of my downloading at home, then I can listen to things when I'm out and about, and I have the phone and cell data service if I need it when out. They have several plans available starting around $20 a month. I find that is a fairly reasonable price for a data plan and have found it to be very useful (kindle app and audible!) You may want to check them out. You do have to buy the phone, but there is no contract. It is a month by month commitment.

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    1. I'll need to check this out. Our problem is we live in a mountain hole. We don't even get cell service at our house. So not all plans are options where I live.

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  11. We debated until about a year ago and then we decided to have limited data for my hubs and I, and wifi only for the girls with talking and texting. And even now, I wonder if we need it. I don't use my data on my phone when I'm somewhere away from wifi sites . . . so do I need it? Only for maps, I guess.
    Oh, and I still live in a house without air-conditioning . . . but then we don't need it as much in the Pacific Northwest. (Only for two weeks during the summer and then we pull out the box fans.)

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    1. I think we're going to go with a plan through WalMart (can't think of the name of it offhand). It had good reviews on coverage and was reasonable and offers my daughter unlimited data, which is a good thing in the long run, I think.

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  12. I finally got a new phone when my husband and son were trading in theirs. I like checking messages, but have trouble seeing the small print when responding. My phone ended up being free, because the new models were coming out. Maybe you could find a similar deal, but don't be pressured, Julie!

    Julie

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    1. I know, oh the pressure! Actually, I think I'm going to move forward in techy life.

      Oh small print. That could be an entirely new post. I'm geek-reader glasses dependent these days!

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  13. I love, love, love my iPhone. I can be away from the computer and it doesn't really matter too much - apart from commenting on blogs. For some reason the iPhone won't do it, the thing always disappears. I read your post earlier this morning but have only just got to the computer. Anyway - smart phones allow you to check in with social networks at any time, send you notifications of email and other things and can basically organise your life. My whole life is in my phone, including my diary. AND I only have to carry one thing around with me. I would definitely recommend. ;)

    Morgan x

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    1. I'm trying to decide if being able to check in more often is a good thing....

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  14. Ha! I thought I was the last convert to a smart phone when I got mine a little over two years ago. At one point I vowed I would never get a smart phone. But now that I have one, I couldn't imagine going back.

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    1. I think I'm going to (gulp) take the plunge and join you in the new world...

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  15. I'm loving all these great suggestions. I feel so empowered now! Reese, my daughter swears that once I get one I'll wonder how I got by without it. We'll see.

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  16. I'm on my second smart phone. But I remember considering it heartily when I got my first - would I really do anything more than phone and text? Turns out, yes I would, all the time. I wouldn't be without it now - I love checking my email in those long moments when Hubby is at the counter buying coffee :-)

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    1. That's what my daughter keeps telling me will happen. :)

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  17. Hopefully, you will be allowed to live long enough to laugh at your kids when something comes along in the future that bumfuzzles them, such as when the technology becomes available for holograms to go anywhere and they do not see that as being something their kids cannot live without.

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    1. Ha! I hope I see this day too, Jerry! I will remind them how the mercilessly mocked me.

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  18. Ha, ha, ha! I so get you! I LOVE my iPhone but it took my husband years to convince me it was worth trying. Now I can't imagine life without my little wonder. Smart phones are amazing and you'll soon be reading, texting, face booking, and pandora-ing from the thing. What's true, though, is that there's no going back. Welcome to the newest wave! ;-)

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    1. Oh Georgina, my daughter swears that's exactly what will happen to me! Thank you for welcoming me to the current times! ;)

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  19. I remember wanting black penny loafers because they looked better with the dimes (instead of pennies) my mom instead I tuck in there so I'd always have change to call home. Anyone else remember penny loafers?

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    1. Ohhhhh, penny loafers. Yes. Had to have them during my preppy phase and, yes, tuck the penny in. (love the dime for a phone call though!)

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  20. I find myself nostalgic too a lot of the time. Seems like our lives were simpler and our needs too. I'm sure our parents felt the same about their childhoods.

    Congrats on getting this post on BlogHer!

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    1. You know, my dad actually used to protest the phrase, "the good ol days" because he said we'd come so far in our medical care. Interesting perspective, I always thought. And thanks. :)

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  21. Oh, no! I have to have the latest gadget as soon as they become available!

    Nas

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    1. LOL that's how my kids are. Thus my fuddy-duddyness.

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  22. I make so much fun of smartphone users, at this point, I would feel hypocritical to buy one. Instead, I'll stick to my flip phone, even though the screen hasn't worked since an unfortunate dip into yogurt.

    I still shave with a regular razor and will never use a stand mixer, either.

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    1. Oh, this response made me laugh. My son (23) keeps telling me I would love one of those fancy $300 stand mixers. I keep buying my hand-held $14 dollar ones from Wally World. It's gonna take a lot of replacements to add up to $300. We don't have cable or satellite either. Our poor kids.

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  23. I guess we are suppose to grow with the times, and some of the new technology is fantastic. My thought on phones is; well I do own an iphone and actually enjoy being connected to the world at all times, it does come with a price... We have the family share plan, unlimited talk and text which is good with teenagers, and then we pay a hefty price for data!! You just have to put limits on when you use your data, I don't usually connect to free wifi since I never know if it is secure sight, but so far we all stay within our limit. I don't think we are fuddy duddy's or old, we just like things sometimes the way they use to be :) Great article Jul

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    1. Ended up with a fairly inexpensive option and I have to admit, I enjoy the connections, but it does feed the obsessive need to check email and Facebook a little too much. Still, glad I caved. ;)

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