Here’s the issue, plain and simple. I own a Samsung, Galaxy S-6. Is this the phone I wanted? No. Do I need this fancy phone with dozens of apps? No. Do I talk to it? No. Do I want to? No. OK, you’re thinking – then why the heck (he–) did you buy it? Answer: Sexy Grandpa! Yes, Sexy Grandpa!
HE decided that I was living in the dark ages with my flip phone. I was fine with it. Well, when it died, and it did, we went to Verizon together to consider the options. And, a flip phone was not one of them! The sales clerk informed me that I would love the new technology and that I’d never look back. In fact, she reassured me that once I got used to all the bells and whistles, I’d wonder why I waited so long. Well, as of now, nothing she ‘predicted’ has happened! I find I use this fancy equipment mostly for a few reasons – email, phone calls, contact list, the time, occasional website visits and fitbit stats! I forget to post dates in the calendar. I’ve yet to check weather or traffic on my phone. And, all the apps with all the games and convenient ‘data’ available with a tap on the screen simply is of no interest. All the icons on the ‘home page’ actually overwhelm me.
I guess my resistance also is a reflection of what I see Sexy Grandpa doing. If he’s not checking sports scores, texting his son (none of the kids call anymore), opening emails when he hears a ding noise or taking to Siri, we actually might be doing something together. I find the modern phone an intrusion. Sexy Grandpa’s connections seems so often to replace our real time TOGETHER with what’s going on with his iPhone. Who cares? Why is this immediacy to secure information important? Why can’t checking in on a phone wait?
And, of course, my husband is in the majority. Cell phone activity seems to consume owners everywhere – gym, restaurants, walking on the street, movie theaters and really any time someone is out and about. Am I being resistant? Am I choosing to not get sucked into the very thing I find annoying when I view others always on their phones? Do I not have a ‘need to know’ by always plugging in when the need arises? Have I ever missed a birthday, appointment or any scheduled event? (Not that I’m aware of!)
Believe me, the phone is convenient and I wear it when I’m away from home. Am I attached? No. Am I content with limited use? Yes. Do I miss my flip phone? No. That doesn’t mean I’m thrilled with this purchase. It simply means that my Samsung is a phone. It is not my life or my life line. As long as I can connect when I need to, I’m fine. Maybe I am in the minority. At my age, I suspect many of my generation find current technology overwhelming as well. If not, oh, well. I smile when Papa Phil, aka, Sexy Grandpa, facetimes our grandkids. I’m glad when he finds an alternative route to a horrible traffic tie up. I’m happiest, however, when his phone is nowhere in sight and it’s just the two of us! So, that’s the story! Stay tuned. We’re counting on you to keep us young at heart!
Sassy Grandma
