So what if I like simpler things?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
March 2, 2010 3:36pm CST
Hubby and I finally joined the 21st Century on Saturday when we bought ourselves cell phones. We went with Sprint service. I got an LG Rumer, it was free with our 2 year agreement. He spent an extra $100 to get a touch screen phone called Hero. Supposedly it's top of the line and similar to a Droid. Of course it's taking hubby quite a while to figure out how to use the darn thing!
So Sunday one of hubby's friends comes over with his girlfriend. This friend has a Droid. He and hubby were playing with their phones, he's showing hubby all these things he can do with it, and basically teaching him how to use it. The girlfriend spent most of her time texting her friends, but she also sent me a few pictures I could use for wallpaper on my phone.
The majority of the time they were there, hubby's friend was non stop bragging about what his phone and hubby's phone can do, all the apps they have, and blah blah blah. By the end of the visit the girlfriend had decided she was upgrading to a Droid. I felt like the friend was trying to brag about the top notch phones.
Me personally, I don't care! I like simple things. My phone is very simple. No it doesn't have apps, but I can get online. The face looks like a regular phone, but it slides open to a full keyboard, so texting is very easy for me. The few times I tried to use hubby's phone totally frustrated me, touch screens are not easy to use at all!! I'm very happy with my phone, and I don't appreciate those who try to brag about their top of the line junk that takes months to learn how to use!!
Are you the type who likes simple things, or would you rather have a top of the line product?
How do you handle someone who brags about their stuff that's more technologically advanced than your own?
3 people like this
19 responses
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Mar 10
I like a phone that I can make phone calls on. And I've gotten spoiled with being able to have an address book, send text messages, have voice mail and take pictures. That's really about all I'm interested in.
Other than that, well, if somebody's yakking on about their wonderful stuff, I'll probably reply "that's nice" and try not to look too bored. 
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Mar 10
My phone can do all that, and I wonder what's the point of having more than that? My husband can get live TV on his phone... I got a feeling that's just going to make him less productive at work! I'd rather watch live TV on my big screen TV, and use the Internet on my Computer. Granted I think there would be times I wouldn't mind having some of the games he has, and he gets free ring tones with his while I have to pay for mine.
3 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Mar 10
Hubby has like full access to the web. I do too but my phone won't load certain sites with too much stuff on it. I haven't really played with it much, I've just gotten on to Facebook a few times. I tried to load our bank account but it wouldn't give me the login button... but I was able to get there w/ hubby's phone. I don't really see myself getting on the web much with my phone, I really just wanted the texting and such.
3 people like this
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
3 Mar 10
When it comes to cell phones, or mobiles as I know them here, the simpler the better. In fact I probably have one of the simplest mobiles going because I only rarely use it for the occasional call and as an alarm clock when I need to get up early.
I would say 9 out of 10 times I prefer to go for simpler things because often I won’t use a more complex item to it’s full abilities and as such don’t want to pay extra for something which I probably won’t ever find a reason to use.
As for those who like to brag I generally ignore them because most of the time they are bragging about apps and stuff which don’t interest me or worse, stuff they don’t use but are swelling their ego by mentioning them. But occasionally I have a bit of fun and question them as to whether they need all these different apps, if they understand how to use them etc etc or is it a case that they have been duped into spending more money on something they don’t even need or will use. 
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
Yes some people do just like to show off. Sometimes I wonder why my husband actually chose his phone, because he comes home from work each day talking about how everyone in his store is so envious of his phone. I wonder if that's why he got it. He says he just thought it looked cool.. but I think part of him did want to show off!
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I am so forgetful that it wouldn't do me good to have a complicated cell phone since I would forget how to use it half the time..When I had a cell phone it was simple. SO simple it didn't even have a camera or some of the other frilly stuff that the newer like ones have. If I did upgrade to a phone from the one I had..it would only be to have one that has a camera on it..maybe a razr or something..
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
Mine has a camera, but I'm not sure how useful it will be. I like my digital camera and normally have it on me, especially when I know we'll be going somewhere that may require pictures. Although there were a few times I forgot the camera, so on those occasions having the camera on the phone will certainly be helpful.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I got the phone that was free when I last got a phone. It is your basic flip phone. It has a camera and you can access the internet with it, but no really cool features. I have better things to spend what little money I have on. The thing about having the fancy cell phones that have all the cool features is the extra things like internet access cost extra money. The way I look at it if you want to spend hundreds of dollars on something you don't really need, go for it, but don't expect me to be impressed.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
With our plan the internet access is free... so basically everything my hubby does with his phone does not cost us extra money. I'm not sure if that's the case for the guy with the Verizon phone... but I'm guessing it has to be cause his girlfriend spends like all her time on the web, and she's on his plan. I doubt he'd let her do that if it were costing him an arm and a leg.
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
3 Mar 10
Hey kats! Congrats on your new phone! Frankly, I am not into
the latest and greatest either! As long as I can make a call
and get a call that's all I need! I have a very basic, cheap
azz phone from Safelink, which is a free phone for people that
are on Disability! I don't text or anything but use the phone
for when I am out and need to use the phone and have it for
emergency purposes only and am thankful! Believe me if I could
afford one of those "cooler phones" like a "Droid" which, quite
frankly I have never heard of!, or a "Blackberry" I would love
one! But, what the hell do I need one for? And, you said that
your phone has a keyboard? What more do you need? I don't
text! I don't want to text! If I have something to say to someone
I will call them! It is much faster! I think texting is stupid!
What did they make phones for? Doh? Oh Paleeezzzzz!
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I actually enjoy the texting personally. Granted the only person I really communicate with via cell phone is my husband... he's at work all day and I'm home with the kids. The past 2 nights I've texted him something that was not exactly urgent, but I did want him to know. I prefer the texting because he's at work, with customers and such. By texting I know that I'm not interrupting anything.. he can read the text when he has a minute and reply in his own time. If I tried to call then I'd interrupt him if he were with a customer and that's just bad for business. Plus with texting he already knows what I'm trying to tell him... if I called and he had to ignore my call he'd never know what I wanted until he called me back... which may not happen as soon as I'd like because of him being busy.
2 people like this
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
3 Mar 10
My phone flips open, I find or put in the number I'm going to call and press send. I don't want it any more complicated than that. I don't want apps, wallpaper, video camera, internet, e-mail...nothing. I think most people have gone overboard with their cell phones, because they can't afford a Ferrari. I'm as impressed by the Droid as the Ferrari...NOT! How do you treat anyone who brags...I ignore them and their "stuff".
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
3 Mar 10
I don't care at all about top of the line products or the latest fads. I only have the things I really need... so I guess calling me very frugal would be accurate :) LOL I have had the same pay as you go cell phone for about 4 years. I have it for emergencies, mostly. I never drive without a phone in my bag or pocket. It's a Nokia, solid one-piece camera phone. Sturdy as all get-out... but no flip, no keyboard, no nothing. It's just a phone. I top it up with a $10 phone card that costs me about $11.50 with tax. Fortunately, the balance rolls over as long as I top up so I generally carry a good balance on it. I could talk for hours if I were really stuck and I could send a lot of texts but I've probably sent no more than what I can count on one hand in the whole time I've owned it. Don't get me wrong... I'm not at all technologically unaware. I keep up with the latest gadgets as they come out - but I'm self-employed, work from home and have no need to spend money on things just to have them. If people want to brag to me about their toys, that's perfectly fine... they can have at it. I also know that when they are complaining about all the unexpected increases in the costs to their service plans (which were "supposed" to be a great deal at $40 a month and are now costing them nearly twice that much) or how much they hate being stuck with a certain phone for the term of their agreement or how much their cancellation fee is going to be, I can just smile back :) I'm doing fine with my simple old phone 
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I guess I have to admit that I do care a little bit about latest fads and etc. I didn't like feeling like the only person on the planet without a cell phone... even though I have very little use for mine. So far I've only used it to text my husband while he's at work, and he has called me on it a few times from work. Other than that it will mostly be for emergencies only... but part of me wants it just to say I have one.
But at the same time I'm not the type to run out and get top of the line just to keep up with everyone else. Yes I wanted a cell phone, but I'm more than happy with the one I have.. I'm not out to make everyone else envious of my phone.
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
3 Mar 10
Oh I know what you mean, though... my phone is OLD compared to anyone I know - but I also think it's good to have one. I'm sure you'll find that yours is going to come in handy, no matter what. You have children, too, and I find that a cell phone is a great comfort even just when you're out with the kids somewhere. You will always know that, if there were to be a need, you can call for any kind of assistance. I gave both of my daughters simple phones like mine too (although THEY are both "gadget queens" LOL and the older one now has her own fancy-schmancy phone that she got and pays for... I only pay for their top ups until they turn 18 and, after that, it's the one thing I hand over for them to learn how to budget and pay on their own). I think you were smart to get a phone... and it sounds like you got one that is perfectly suitable for what you needed and wanted. I think sometimes we should to tell ourselves it's ok to just plain want something and actually get it ~ and you were reasonable about it too! :)))
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
3 Mar 10
katsmeow1213,
Being a traveling person myself, I am much more into these Droid phones and let me assure you that it is above the mobile television that your husband is now currently attracted to.
I am a heavy user as far as communication is concerned and if I were to use a normal conventional phone, I can assure you an astronomical phone bill. I think you can appreciate a lot of plus apps like WiFi access which is basically costless where people can call me for free on Skype, interact with me on the move with Messenger and appreciate that my family can reach me effortlessly and again costless at their end where we can talk on ends with our internet access.
Then, there are the navigational GPS which is ever more impressively needed in the cosmopolitan jungle. I really loved it when I am in New Jersey or Manhattan where getting around can be quite daunting for me even after numerous visits there. Now, I can even direct my chauffeur to avoid the heavy traffic areas.
Think what it can do for you when you travel overseas and need to get to that top notch shopping beat or must eat restaurant.
So, as you can see here, the extra dollars is really reaping dividends here. Don't worry about your husband being addicted to the mobile television because nothing beats watch it in the comforts of our home on that comfy couch with our favorite snacks and sharing moments with the love of our life.
It is just a fad, except you probably have to remind him not to do it when he is DRIVING on the road.
Have a nice day.
Think what it can do for you when you travel overseas and need to get to that top notch shopping beat or must eat restaurant.
So, as you can see here, the extra dollars is really reaping dividends here. Don't worry about your husband being addicted to the mobile television because nothing beats watch it in the comforts of our home on that comfy couch with our favorite snacks and sharing moments with the love of our life. It is just a fad, except you probably have to remind him not to do it when he is DRIVING on the road.
Have a nice day.@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
4 Mar 10
Well, in that case, we just do not need to worry overly for him and his new toy.
Take care.
Take care.@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
He already knows well enough not to use his phone while driving. His company gives him walkie talkie phones to take with him while he's on the road for work, and he'll use those to communicate with his store... but he won't use his own phone while driving.
2 people like this
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
2 Mar 10
One of my current pet peeves is people who turn dinner or drinks into a friggin' summit meeting on cell phones and Blackberrys.
'My phone does this'
'Ya, well my phone does that'
'Wha? How'd you do that? Let's discuss it and play with each other's phones for the next 2 hours'
My phone is a LG Keybo. It's a lot like the Rumor, I think. The outside is just a plain phone and then it flips open into a mini computer looking thing with a good sized screen and a full keyboard. I bought it off a friend for $50 and I'm on pay and talk so it only costs me about $10 a month - WITH a texting plan. It's simple, it works and it's cheap. Good enough for me! People are always telling me how much I NEED a Blackberry and I keep telling them I'm just too damn cheap. I have a computer at home and at work, I have a cell, I don't need to pay an insane amount every month to combine the two.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Mar 10
Cell phones have always been a pet peeve for me. When hubby's friends were visiting I could not get through an entire sentance without one of them getting a text and having to put me on hold to answer their text! Drove me nuts! That's part of why I was against getting one.. the other part was we couldn't really afford it because Verizon wanted a $400 deposit per line, Sprint originally wanted $250 per line.. a year ago they said they'd go down to $150. We tried again for the heck of it and for me it was still $250 but under hubby's name they went down to $50. A few years ago hubby got a pay as you go thing.. but it was a minimum of $30 just to have the phone on... calls were extra!
Our plan is pretty good... expensive, but good. We can call any cell phone in the country for free, no matter the carrier. We have free texts, free web, and free nights and weekends, and we share 1400 minutes to call land lines... but of course in this day in age the only land lines we'd call are businesses and our parents!
2 people like this
@zoey7879 (3092)
• Quincy, Illinois
2 Mar 10
I smile, give them the "Oh thats neat heres your pat on the back now shaddup" line, and go on. I myself also prefer simplicity and if they wanna spend extra money on silly crap that's fine with me. It just means that I'll have more money later when I'm in a pinch or when I see something that I REALLY want! ;)
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Mar 10
My husband always has to spend a little extra for a top of the line thing... sometimes I talk him out of it, sometimes I let him go ahead, it depends on what it is and what sort of money we have at that moment.
2 people like this
@eurekafemme (5876)
• Philippines
3 Mar 10
Hello,Katsmeow.:-)
I prefer my stuff to be simple and yet functional. When I say functional, my stuff must serve its purpose.
I am using a nokia 6120 classic of which I am only using for texting, calling and taking of pictures.I don't need gadgets that are top of the line. If it serves everything that I want from my stuff then, I am happy and content with it.
As for braggers, no, I don't like listening to them. It is not that I feel insecure or envy them, but I think, they are just doing a senseless rantings.
2 people like this
@junil_jk (496)
• India
3 Mar 10
i'm a cell phone freak so i've had several high end products in the past few years. i like them not for showing off, but because of the features and functionalities they provide. i've made the most of every cell phone i've had, feature wise and as per the service provided. be it music, camera, videos, other media, gaming, other application softwares, internet(both service provider's service and wi-fi), maps, etc. i even tune my guitar with a guitar tuner application software that i installed in my phone!
but i'm not the type who brags about my stuffs and compare them to others' stuffs. i use them for my own useful purpose and not for showing off.
and about finding it hard or difficult to use your hubby's phone - don't worry! you'll learn to understand more with time - be it your hubby's one or any other more sophisticated phones. i started off with a much simpler phone than yours with basically only calling and text messaging facilities(no internet, no camera, no music, no bluetooth,...nothing!). so you'll learn with time. but being simple and liking simple things is the best!
2 people like this
@kgirjapurkar (175)
• India
3 Mar 10
as u said nothing wrong in it as u r simple u like simple things simple
2 people like this
@uniqueorn (1011)
• Philippines
2 Mar 10
I like simpler things. I only use high-tech gadgets when needed. Oh well, I have had a lot of people too who have bragged about their beautiful stuff and I just don't give a damn tolerating them to continue bragging about it. I often ignore them and just give a faking smile.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Mar 10
Yeah, that's basically what I do too.
2 people like this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
10 Mar 10
Sometimes technology baffles me, I have real trouble with it! I have never bothered about having the latest gadget when it first comes out, if I want something I wait until it comes down in price to what I can afford. But anyway, this touch phone come out last year or the year before and I really wanted it. So I saved for it, it took me a while and I eventually got it. I absolutely hate it, it is a touch phone and it is awful to use. I now want a cheaper normal key pad phone! I definately like simple things.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
23 Mar 10
As far as phones go, I just want one which I can call and text on, glance at when I need to check the time, and which I can connect to the computer. All the other functions that phones have are pretty much surplus to requirements as far as I´m concerned. Paying for all those things would just be stupid for me. They´re great if you use them, but if you don´t then I don´t see the point. I´m with you - simple is best!
I find ignoring them and showing complete disinterest is the best way of dealing with boasters. Yeah, their phone might be great, but I´m just not interested!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
4 Mar 10
When it comes to cell phones I am very much the same as you are. As long as I am able to make phone calls to people and perhaps I'm able to text message now and again then it is fine for me. I don't need an iPhone or a Droid because I think that they would both do nothing but drive me insane. Right now I have a Samsung Propel and I've had this phone for a little over a year now. I could get online with it if I really wanted to, but normally I just use it for phone calls and the occasional text message.
@myzire72 (1154)
• Singapore
4 Mar 10
Right, there's nothing wrong or shameful to be simple. The primary functions of a phone is to make calls and sending messages. Other than that, the rest are just value-added functions, which I believe many can live without. Mobile phone technology advances at such high speed that a fully-featured, powerful mobile phone today can become somewhat mediocre come tomorrow. So there's really nothing to brag about. As long as you are comfortable and satisfied with your phone, it really doesn't matter whether it is capable of more functions or not.
@CarmenA (127)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I've always had some sort of simple prepaid phone until recently I got a boost mobile phone...so it's cool that my bf and I can "walkie talkie" each other. But like you, I can access internet and text easily. That is all I need. All that other stuff is just "something else". If I want to do stuff all I have to do is get on the internet on my computer.. That's enough technology for me. My dad and all my sisters have iphones and droids and such... they like to show them off but it's cool.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 10
We were thinking about the Boost mobile. Years ago, probably 5 or 6 years, Sprint had a similar unlimited plan for $50 a month.. just calling, this was before texting became so popular and they weren't camera phones either. Hubby and I each had one of those and rarely had problems.. but then Sprint discontinued this plan. Due to our bad credit, we had few options aside from prepaid or unlimited plans, which is why we were considering Boost. However the guy at the store started talking us into this new Sprint plan.. it's not unlimited, but we're not paying much more per month as we would for the Boost plan.. and at least with this plan we're guaranteed good coverage and that it won't suddenly be discontinued in a few months. I have a bit of piece of mind with this plan.
1 person likes this
