I'm HELLA freaked out now. Because of my hearing situation I hear all calls the same way and my assumption if anything sounds or feels "off" is always that it's an issue on my end. But what you said about Kevin announcing when others are around made me realize that such behavior apparently isn't normal, as it's noteworthy. Oh. My. God. I rarely call people but if I do, it's usually important and/or upsetting. Now I'm wondering how many times I've been on speaker and spilling personal matters to strangers in the grocery store or friends' spouses and children.
No decent person would put you on speaker if you were sharing difficult and private information. You strike me as someone who is a good judge of character so I honestly don't think you have friends who would do this.
Excellent piece, Josh. I remember sitting on the floor as a teen, talking to my friends for hours. No, that’s not there any more. As for companies making demands of us - that’s all part of the self-service mentality. You want a product from us? You have to serve yourself, we’re not going to give it to you.
So true and so necessary! It fits neatly into your overarching theme on the decline of civility. I recall some subjects on the old People of Walmart satire site, which presented candid shots of horribly or underdressed people claiming violations of privacy. Ironic, considering they’re in public. This inspires seeking the cause. Why indeed have the borders between public and private dissolved? I confess to spending such an inordinate amount of time alone that being out seems a mere continuation and it’s highly unlikely I’ll run into anyone I know so who cares if I make an ass of myself? (I live in NYC, where invisibility reigns supreme).
My (retirement age) sisters often put me on speakerphone. They're getting better about letting me know first, but I still ask almost any time we talk because I'm paranoid!
I have to speak with clients on the phone daily. I don't mind & would actually enjoy it a lot more if not for the complete lack of consistent business phone etiquette from other so-called professionals. When it comes to personal calls what freaks me out these days is not that I don't think twice about asking ANYONE I'm talking if I'm on speakerphone...but that nobody's ever surprised or offended that I'm checking.
I loved using the payphone. The clink of the quarter, the fact that it was always there for anyone to use if needed, the waiting in line (patiently, and far enough away so that one did not hear the conversation of the person in front of you). I remember using such a phone in NYC right before the very last one was removed. It's sad what society has lost with the removal of those phones.
Good phone memories are exact same. The best place for a long, expensive, private 80s phone call was the kitchen pantry. It was between you, your interlocutor, and the spice rack.
I share your thoughts on this 100%. Another big issue for me is how much more difficult modern phones have made parenting. It’s a whole new world of horror that many of us are navigating. Even if a parent figures out how to set up a device properly (limit the ability to add apps, set screen time limits, disable “chat” features on games) etc, one must constantly follow the latest tech trends, security and privacy measures, as well as the latest tricks used by teens to get around parent controls, because things change daily. When I see some of these tech companies brag about their latest stupid “upgrade”, my heart often sinks bc it’s a new thing I have no interest in that I have to research to be an informed parent. Then many kids/teens still get exposed to really bad stuff anyway through their friends with less or no tech limits.
I’m constantly shocked at what people will say out loud on their cell in any place, you name it. (Well I guess I shouldn’t be shocked given society today). Nothing like yelling into your cell to your best friend that your husband has an erection problem or your wife no longer wants to give you oral sex while standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. Now don’t get me started on this obsession of dragging one’s pet along every time you leave home.
I'm HELLA freaked out now. Because of my hearing situation I hear all calls the same way and my assumption if anything sounds or feels "off" is always that it's an issue on my end. But what you said about Kevin announcing when others are around made me realize that such behavior apparently isn't normal, as it's noteworthy. Oh. My. God. I rarely call people but if I do, it's usually important and/or upsetting. Now I'm wondering how many times I've been on speaker and spilling personal matters to strangers in the grocery store or friends' spouses and children.
No decent person would put you on speaker if you were sharing difficult and private information. You strike me as someone who is a good judge of character so I honestly don't think you have friends who would do this.
Excellent piece, Josh. I remember sitting on the floor as a teen, talking to my friends for hours. No, that’s not there any more. As for companies making demands of us - that’s all part of the self-service mentality. You want a product from us? You have to serve yourself, we’re not going to give it to you.
this is exactly what contemporary society needed to hear, thank you!
Ohhh, guilty. And although I have a string of excuses, they aren’t really excuses. I’m going to hide now.
The first step is admitting you have a problem.
So true and so necessary! It fits neatly into your overarching theme on the decline of civility. I recall some subjects on the old People of Walmart satire site, which presented candid shots of horribly or underdressed people claiming violations of privacy. Ironic, considering they’re in public. This inspires seeking the cause. Why indeed have the borders between public and private dissolved? I confess to spending such an inordinate amount of time alone that being out seems a mere continuation and it’s highly unlikely I’ll run into anyone I know so who cares if I make an ass of myself? (I live in NYC, where invisibility reigns supreme).
Love your description of the 90s and phone manners. I remember too!
Yes, so much hear to pay attention to.
Thank you.
It’s not a phone. It’s a tracking and behavior modification device.
My (retirement age) sisters often put me on speakerphone. They're getting better about letting me know first, but I still ask almost any time we talk because I'm paranoid!
I have to speak with clients on the phone daily. I don't mind & would actually enjoy it a lot more if not for the complete lack of consistent business phone etiquette from other so-called professionals. When it comes to personal calls what freaks me out these days is not that I don't think twice about asking ANYONE I'm talking if I'm on speakerphone...but that nobody's ever surprised or offended that I'm checking.
And all the right-thinking people said, “Amen.”
Human adaptability is one of our best, and worst, characteristics. I don’t want to adapt to what phones have become.
I loved using the payphone. The clink of the quarter, the fact that it was always there for anyone to use if needed, the waiting in line (patiently, and far enough away so that one did not hear the conversation of the person in front of you). I remember using such a phone in NYC right before the very last one was removed. It's sad what society has lost with the removal of those phones.
Jim Croce, "Operator".
Good phone memories are exact same. The best place for a long, expensive, private 80s phone call was the kitchen pantry. It was between you, your interlocutor, and the spice rack.
Correct. For me, it was the cellar stairwell.
We owe that incredibly long, coiled cord for its faithful service.
And it was always a really long cord wasn't it!
We even had a little telephone desk with a place for the phonebooks. Which were handy if you needed a booster for the kid at the table!
My bedroom with the cord snaked under the closed door 🥹
And how about the surreptitious filming or photo taking, that I find incredibly rude and sneaky.
I share your thoughts on this 100%. Another big issue for me is how much more difficult modern phones have made parenting. It’s a whole new world of horror that many of us are navigating. Even if a parent figures out how to set up a device properly (limit the ability to add apps, set screen time limits, disable “chat” features on games) etc, one must constantly follow the latest tech trends, security and privacy measures, as well as the latest tricks used by teens to get around parent controls, because things change daily. When I see some of these tech companies brag about their latest stupid “upgrade”, my heart often sinks bc it’s a new thing I have no interest in that I have to research to be an informed parent. Then many kids/teens still get exposed to really bad stuff anyway through their friends with less or no tech limits.
Amen!!
Once again, Josh shows me how we share the same soul.
Saying the things we all think and feel. Well, not all of us... But the good ones. 😁
I’m constantly shocked at what people will say out loud on their cell in any place, you name it. (Well I guess I shouldn’t be shocked given society today). Nothing like yelling into your cell to your best friend that your husband has an erection problem or your wife no longer wants to give you oral sex while standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. Now don’t get me started on this obsession of dragging one’s pet along every time you leave home.
Right??? Why do people bring dogs to grocery stores????? 😂😂😂
Worse is when they wear earbuds, you can't see the phone, they're talking to themselves and you're not sure if they're crazy.
Exactly my thoughts.