At my age, I take pride in keeping semi-up-to-date
with modern technology. It’s not as easy for a dinosaur as it appears to be for
the younger set who are born knowing how to upload photos, enable wireless
routers with passwords, and such. My son, for example, was born with a computer
mouse in one hand and a Nintendo controller in the other. For him, the technology gene is innate.
I do have a DVR (which I can and do use), an Android
cell phone (I can take pictures on it, but still am learning about all the
other functions on the phone), a netbook (I can be mobile, but who knew
Function Keys and F keys are two different animals?), and a quad core desk top
computer (Why do I constantly have to upgrade?
There was nothing wrong with Windows 3.1). I also have
a GPS (you’d think “Daniel” could
tell me to slow down when going over railroad tracks, but Mr. GPS isn’t as
smart as he thinks), and a car equipped with blue tooth and Pandora (I figured
out I can just talk to the car). I have
my own Paypal and Ebay accounts, along with my own Steam account for
gaming. I even pay bills and bank
online. I like keeping abreast of
modern technology. Texting, however, is
not for me.
Unlike so many others, I am not hooked on texting, nor
am I obsessed with constantly checking my cell phone for text messages and then
texting in response. I’m not lost in the
cloudy text-messaging world of cyber space. Like
Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous, shouldn’t there be a TA -- Texting
Anonymous for such people? C’mon –
sleeping with your phone? Seriously? You need help.
I see people hide in corners at work with their cell
phones as well as leaning in under their desks madly tapping out messages. Some even walk down streets staring intently
and soulfully at their cell phones. That’s
certainly an invitation for disaster. Friends complain about dates who see nothing
wrong with blatantly checking messages and texting under the table while
conversing at dinner. Customers talk on
their cell phones while checking out at the supermarket, trying to conduct bank
business with the teller, and talking to their doctors. Sneakiness, rudeness, and disregard for others
have become norms. It’s a modern,
tech-savvy generation all about self and entitlement.
Cell phones are
only a tool designed to make life a little easier, but not at the expense of
attentiveness and good manners. Few messages in life require immediate
attention, so turn off your cell phones during meetings, dinner, and at
work. Focus on what you’re supposed to
be focused. If someone wants you, they
can either leave a text or voice mail you can retrieve at a better time. Check
your cell phone at lunch or after you clock out. Be civilized.
Are most messages really that important you have to constantly check for
them? No.
Be attentive in your meetings, classes, or times with
friends. Text at a more appropriate time. Your boss pays you for your time and
productivity, not for checking your messages and texting. If you can’t function without texting or
checking for texts numerous times during the day, every day, you have a
problem. You’re just as addicted as
someone who stays home to play World of Warcraft nonstop or someone who can’t
make it through the day without multiple drinks or drags on a cigarette. Texting addiction is akin to compulsive gambling.
Safety is always an issue with regard to texting. Not only have I seen people walk into a pole or
slam into another person along the street because their eyes are glued to their
cell phones while they are walking, but the news even reported one totally
focused birdbrain falling into a manhole. In addition, imbeciles have been caught or
admit to texting while driving, creating deadly situations. What is wrong with people? You do realize you don’t have to answer that
cell phone while driving, but you can pull over somewhere and return the call
or text a few minutes later if it’s that important, don’t you? Distracted drivers are the number one cause
of accidents.
Trying to type with the itty bitty keys on a cell phone
is also infinitely annoying. The
smallest of fingers can’t accurately hit those little keys and escape numerous
typos. Even word suggestions in programs
that allow you to select the word rather than finishing typing it, can’t make
up for the irritation of those microscopic keys.
If your excuse for texting is you don’t really need to
speak to me, but just need to text me, then don’t text me. What you have to say in your text is
obviously not all that important. I have
other things to do than be a slave to my cell phone by constantly checking for
new text messages. If your excuse for
constant checking and texting is you want to stay connected to friends, get a
clue -- it’s just an excuse. I’d rather look at Facebook statuses at home
when I have a glass of wine in my hand, and I can connect to others by calling
and talking to them, or by hanging out in person with them somewhere. If your excuse is you want to send me a picture, then by all means, send it -- I'll see it later. (E-mail me the pic instead -- I won't lose it that way.)
I’m certainly not allergic to texting occasionally,
but neither Christian Gray nor my cell phone will ever be my master. I don’t have the compulsion and need to
constantly be checking for texts, so know that if you text me and expect an immediate response, I probably won’t
see your text until I check messages mid-day or plug in my cell to recharge at
bedtime.
As Frank Sinatra, Frankie
Valli, and Petula Clark all sang, “Call me, Don’t be afraid, you can call me….” Real folks call.
