Asking
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Are there others here who, like me, don't have a 'smartphone'?

I've just never needed one. I have a laptop though, and that's what I'm using now to type this.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
ronnie · 56-60, M
I don't have any mobile phone. Point blank refuse to use one and never will have one.
zonavar68 · 51-55, M
@ronnie In my work (freight train driver - full 24/7 shiftwork) it's expected you have one, but I refuse a work-supplied one and use my own personal one which I claim 50 pct of the costs of at tax time as a work expense.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@ronnie I don't blame you!

I bought my portable telephone (neither "mobile" nor "smart") originally, primarily for such misfortunes as a car breakdown far from home needing me ring the recovery service; but I do use it more generally now as some friends and relatives use portable telephones and these are more expensive to call from my land-line.

Also my dentist and GP surgery send appointment reminders by text.

That's as far as it goes though, and I am resisting buying a so-called "smart-'phone" (the OP's specification) for as long as possible. I certainly don't want one on an expensive contract before calls, when my PAYG one costs me well under £40 a year!
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@zonavar68 You can't reclaim the cost via your employer's pay system, if that might simplify things for you and be more immediate rather than annual?
zonavar68 · 51-55, M
@ArishMell No because they'll just say they offer me a company phone and I refuse to take one. I never look at company emails, etc. outside of work unless I need to sort something out for myself and I use my private (not work) email account for that. I'm not on-call 24/7. It's better to claim it as a work-related expense on my tax return.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@zonavar68 Ah,, I see.

Quite right too, not looking at work e-mails when outside work. No-one needs be in touch with work all the time - with obvious exceptions such as on-call times in the emergency services.

Or if a member of a voluntary rescue organisation, though strictly speaking, that's not "work" but either an extension of one's hobby or in community spirit.