Just because you have something doesn't mean everyone does.
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11643)
United States
May 24, 2009 9:23am CST
A few months ago, someone called me and I was right in the middle of something and couldn't talk to her. I told her I'd call her back in like 20 minutes and when I asked for her phone number she said "Just use the number on caller-id." Well, I woulda thought she passed out when I told her I don't have caller-id because there was dead silence on the line. She was flaberghasted and actually had to stop and think about what her phone number was.
I've gotten that from other people before too. They'll call me and ask if there was a problem with my phone because they had tried to call but got a busy signal. I told them that's because I was on the phone and I don't have call waiting.
But, I can say that I'm the same way... I'll ask someone for their e-mail address and they'll tell me they don't have one because they don't use the computer.
Don't we always assume that since we use something regularly that everyone else must also?
3 people like this
8 responses
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 May 09
Oh yes, that happens. I have caller id and call waiting on our phone, but that is because it is included free on our digital phone service, but I also have a cell phone and I do not have caller id, because it costs me. I have email as well, but many do not use a computer. I do think that everyone is on the internet, has an email address, and has a cell phone for back up, and I assume if they have a cell phone that they use regularly, that they gave up their home phone.
3 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
24 May 09
Yes, I make some of those same assumptions!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (162238)
• United States
25 May 09
Life is just moving too fast. I cannot always keep up with all the technology. I do not understand why my daughter does not e mail as avidly as I do, but I think she is a throw back to slower days.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
25 May 09
I've assumed people have caller id and email. I think because i use the internet so often and my pc that i assume that if someone has a pc they have email...internet and the like. I also seem to assume that most people have a pc OR access at work or school or the library to one.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
25 May 09
It's funny how many people DON'T have a pc, or access to one. I've been using the Internet for at least 10 years so I figure everyone else has been too.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
25 May 09
I do that too - i assume lots of people have cell phones (even though i dont use mine much) and use them. I've been known to ask a customer if we can contact them on their cell if we have questions about their pc or its ready for pick up. I get a blank look sometimes and a oh i dont have a cell.
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
25 May 09
Yes, I do believe that many people just think that way. I have also gotten the same remark from people well the number is on your caller id and I thought well hummmm I just might not have caller id, but of course I do. But I have thought about the times they might run across someone that does not have it.
I will usually ask the other person, do you have caller id or a computer or whatever. I don't assume anyone has anything as many don't have many things at all.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
25 May 09
The computer and e-mail is the hardest for me to understand because it seems to be such a vital part of my life sometimes!
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
25 May 09
I guess we get so used to using something that we do tend to forget that others might not have the same things. I have caller id but rarely use it. I also refuse to have a cell phone though ppl ask me for my cell number all the time and then look shocked when I say I don't have one LOL Actually I rather miss the old rotary phone that weighed a ton...I'd love to have one of those LOL
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
25 May 09
We do have one of those - it's VERY loud! We keep it in the basement in my husband's "shop" and sometimes when I'm doing laundry and the phone rings I will answer that one. Then I realize that was stupid because I can't move more than 2 feet from the phone! I've always kept a corded phone in the house to plug in when the power goes out, but this is the first rotary one we've had in eons. Of course we can't dial out on it because the line only accepts touch tone.
1 person likes this
@thrillezynite (44)
• United States
25 May 09
its human nature, to think everybody is like them, i see what you mean, it does get relly frustrating but its not that they mean anything bad by it.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
25 May 09
Oh, I know they don't mean anything by it, but it is quite humorous sometimes.
1 person likes this
@mishikawa (57)
• Australia
25 May 09
i guess its certain that we make that assumption as in this age we all assume that people would have a tv,mobile phone and a computer
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
25 May 09
Yes, the mobile phone is kinda odd too, although I do know people that don't have one. I have one, but don't use it all the time and some people think that's strange.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (162238)
• United States
25 May 09
To get the package I want on the phone, I also have call waiting. I do not use it, it is incredibly rude, in my opinion, to ask the person you are talking to to hold on, this other call may be more important than they are. I think I have the hardest time understanding about not using the computer, since I just love it. Others do not understand that I have a pay as you go tracfone, and I do not listen to voice mail, cannot even retrieve it, but trying to costs me two minutes for every one I attempt. I have young employees who think they should be able to leave a voice mail or send me a text any time.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
25 May 09
I totally agree with you on the call waiting - isn't there a way to disable that?
I have a smart-phone and people can't understand why I don't have internet access on it. It costs like $45/month more for that and I would LOVE to have it but don't NEED it. And since I don't have internet on my phone, I can't get pics so I tell people not to send them to me. They just don't get it...
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 May 09
Hi reiny, I guess that in this day and age if you expect someone
to have a computer then they can expect you to have Caller ID
and Call Waiting. Honestly, I was surprised when you said that
you didn't have it too! Most phone packages come with it and
it is just so automatic to think that most people do have it.
If you expect that everyone has a computer and an email address
you should be so surprised that people expect you would have
Caller ID and Call Waiting.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
26 May 09
My land line is actually a limited call plan. All I have is local calling and if I go over something like 60 outgoing calls a month then I pay per call. But the basic plan is like $15/month. I don't need all that extra stuff so why pay for it?
