[CJR520]

I am interested in how many people feel that computers and cell phones, improperly used, are destroying marriages and relationships. When hubby and I were married, we had our home phone with our phone book, and all the numbers of family and friends that we needed for our whole family right there in view of everyone in the household. Now, everyone is running around with their cell phones with all their private numbers in them, constantly texting and talking to anyone and everyone. At meals, in restaurants, mothers are texting or talking and not paying atttention to their children or husband and vice versa. My husband had some vacation days last week and we had something planned for my birthday, and we were enjoying the long weekend. Lo and behold, on Friday, a woman from his work place called him on her break to ask him if he wanted to work on Saturday as they were working overtime. Not on our home phone, but on his cell phone, and she is not a boss, and these were VACATION days that he had taken. People are just so rude and so gutsy any more. I am putting up my cell phone , and will only have it with me from now on when I go out of town for emergencies. I am sick to death of all this. Does anyone else feel like this?

Good topic. When used right I think all these new gadgets in the world make a huge difference. As my Grandfather use to say "used in moderation"
I know for me when the kids and i eat dinner, There is no tv on. No cell phones at the table. For sure no one is allowed to play video games and eat dinner. My son use to try that.
All those things disconnect the family.
Cells phone they are a wonder. If your kids are out and they need help its a life savoir. I know for me i have been out had the car break down and called home.
I think imo its how they all are used.

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by CJR520

I am sick to death of all this. Does anyone else feel like this?

Yes CJR520...very much so...I find the self centered nature of "personal" devices annoying on many levels. My cell phone stays in my truck. It seldom rings as folks know it will seldom be answered...

But I don't think there is much we can do about the trend. There has always been distractions to life. Imagine a Father cave man yelling at his young cave boy for wasting his day painting upon the walls of the cave or the Egyption Mother hounding her daughter for chiiping away some graphitti on the neareast column...or more recently the family arguements over the excess use and obsession with watching TV...God forbid!!!!Letter writing was an obsession in the 1800s as was radio listening in the 30s of the last century...

Our nature is to communicate and to fill our curiosity...with whatever tools are handy and when something isn't doing it...we invent something new...

But folks like me who may appreciate the new gadgets...don't necessarily have to be a member of the band...

Lenny

[theotterone]

Originally Posted by muffy

Good topic. When used right I think all these new gadgets in the world make a huge difference. As my Grandfather use to say "used in moderation"

I agree. D HATES phones! If it were up to him I would only have my cell phone and no land line. The thing is, with him working in a machine shop at a satellite location (you have to call the main building and have him paged...) and myself working in a call center where my calls (incoming and outbound) are randomly recorded and evaluated (and who wants someone who doesn't know you in a different department listening to a personal call?) AND both of us having older vehicles (I love my 92 Jeep Cherokee!) I can say having my cell phone is a very good thing!

Like anything, if something is abused, it will cause trouble. Likewise, if someone is hiding something from their mate, they would find other ways to keep that secret. It comes down to trust. Also, when I am having "family time", I turn my phone off or don't answer it. Setting priorities...

[lynn P.]

I agree - I think some people are addicted to texting and computer websites like facebook. I rarely use my cell phone.

[Perna]

My husband and I have one cell phone for the two of us and I only turn it on when I need it. If you want to call my cell phone, you have to tell me you are going to call it and when and I'll leave it on for that period until we complete the business for which I had it on.

But I think it's people, not the tools/gadgets that ruin relationships. Why did your husband take the call? There's nothing wrong with the woman for trying (I assume she wanted him to switch days or maybe he mentioned something about wanting extra money or thought he might like the opportunity to work more hours; some people want/need that, especially in this economy); we control our own use of technology; it doesn't control us.

[CJR520]

We don't need the extra money. She is just one of those busybodies who has to know what everyone is doing and when all of the time. I think when people are on vacation, they are on vacation. I am ready for no cell phone at all. Don't need the hassles.

[jerrymichele]

Originally Posted by CJR520

We don't need the extra money. She is just one of those busybodies who has to know what everyone is doing and when all of the time. I think when people are on vacation, they are on vacation. I am ready for no cell phone at all. Don't need the hassles.

I agree with you 100%. The lady who called should have called your house phone. It was disrespectful. When I am with my family, the cell phone goes off. I think that your husband should address this issue with this woman.

[VickiesPath]

Since you guys are talking cell phones, I can't resist the urge to post this.

When I moved to Arizona ten years ago, I was absolutely appalled at the poor drivers here. People here are out of their minds!!! The first time I was stopped in morning rush hour freeway traffic, some joker passed me on the shoulder!

Then came the cell phone revolution. Now, anytime you see someone do something extra, extra idiotic, there is a cell phone in their ear. A blonde witch in a Jaguar cut me off just yesterday on the freeway with her cruise control on and when I caught up and passed her, yep, cell phone in her ear. She was oblivious to everyone and everything.

I got so frustrated, I looked up current legislation on the web. There is a ban currently in the Arizona legislature but it won't come into law for another two years. So we have to put up with this crap for a while yet. Don't know if my blood pressure can take it.

Electronics get shut off in our house. All except for PsychCentral. My husband reads the paper. I post to you guys.

I can say this cell phones have saved ppls lives. Also i can say they connected me to my kids when they needed me at some very important times. I do think its a personal choice imo.