The idea of getting a smartphone has been under consideration for a couple of weeks. Everybody has one, why shouldn't I? I could fit right in with everyone in the restaurant who's texting, checking in on Face Book, and in general ignoring their dining partner. The phone I haul around is at least five years old. There's nothing wrong with it. I can receive calls, call others, and sometimes even receive or send a text or two. It fits nicely in my purse or the pocket of my jeans.
The cellphone company wants to "give" me a new smartphone. Why they're shiny, have Internet access, and most importantly apps. I can check my bank account, read a book, listen to music, play games, and so much more. Since they're sleek and shiny, off I went to the cellphone store to see what an upgrade would entail. The customer service person tried not to laugh at my old phone without any apps. She was kind and explained how wonderful the smartphone is. Enticed, I wandered through the land of smartphones. There were so many varieties, and yes, they were all shiny. How cool it would be to have the latest technology, text others, download amazing apps to astound my friends while having lunch in a restaurant. I too could text and play games while waiting for my salad. While my husband checked basketball scores or email on his BlackBerry a/k/a Crackberry, I could play Mahjong or shop for shoes. The whole idea was rather enthralling and you know, it was easy to envision myself texting in abandon and checking email every few minutes. You never know who might need an immediate answer.
Alas, when at the counter and the dreaded question was asked --"What will this cost?", the answer was disappointing. The monthly bill would increase exponentially. That's because the current plan is quite low end. Now, I've been married to a Scotsman for a very long time, and his frugal mindset has become mine as well. While adjustments were made to the plan and the cost decreased by pennies, the amount still made me blanch at the thought of paying such an extravagant amount for a shiny object, however cool it was.
In the end, the cellphone is a phone in my book. I have an aversion to texting and who wants to constantly peer at a screen you can barely see. In one shining moment the phone had lost its charm. Then came the realization that the shiny objects more fun to have around were the shekels saved to be enjoyed in other ways. Might not be as cool, but there won't be any groaning about a monthly bill. Besides it's way cooler to talk to that handsome dinner partner of mine, rather than check junk email. Hmmm...but maybe an iPad...
The cellphone company wants to "give" me a new smartphone. Why they're shiny, have Internet access, and most importantly apps. I can check my bank account, read a book, listen to music, play games, and so much more. Since they're sleek and shiny, off I went to the cellphone store to see what an upgrade would entail. The customer service person tried not to laugh at my old phone without any apps. She was kind and explained how wonderful the smartphone is. Enticed, I wandered through the land of smartphones. There were so many varieties, and yes, they were all shiny. How cool it would be to have the latest technology, text others, download amazing apps to astound my friends while having lunch in a restaurant. I too could text and play games while waiting for my salad. While my husband checked basketball scores or email on his BlackBerry a/k/a Crackberry, I could play Mahjong or shop for shoes. The whole idea was rather enthralling and you know, it was easy to envision myself texting in abandon and checking email every few minutes. You never know who might need an immediate answer.
Alas, when at the counter and the dreaded question was asked --"What will this cost?", the answer was disappointing. The monthly bill would increase exponentially. That's because the current plan is quite low end. Now, I've been married to a Scotsman for a very long time, and his frugal mindset has become mine as well. While adjustments were made to the plan and the cost decreased by pennies, the amount still made me blanch at the thought of paying such an extravagant amount for a shiny object, however cool it was.
In the end, the cellphone is a phone in my book. I have an aversion to texting and who wants to constantly peer at a screen you can barely see. In one shining moment the phone had lost its charm. Then came the realization that the shiny objects more fun to have around were the shekels saved to be enjoyed in other ways. Might not be as cool, but there won't be any groaning about a monthly bill. Besides it's way cooler to talk to that handsome dinner partner of mine, rather than check junk email. Hmmm...but maybe an iPad...
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