AIBU by refusing to get a mobile phone?

You are not being unreasonable, it's absolutely your choice whether or not to have a mobile phone.
I admit to being deeply attached to mine though. I wouldn't feel safe without it now.

OK, back from sorting office and parcel collected. No it's not a mobile phone, it's crocus bulbs that need to be planted asap so I didn't arrange for redelivery
...anyway another (recent) link for how bad mobile reception in central London is plus an explanation as to why plus a more general link from the Independent about mobile reception in cities based on government research.
As I mentioned before I've been persuaded away from my original stance by informed and reasoned opinion.

I'm not worried about a random implying I'm a liar because where this is concerned I don't value your opinion based on what seems like uninformed prejudice...I hope you never sit on a jury though...

www.quora.com/Why-is-mobile-phone-reception-in-central-London-so-bad

www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uk-worst-cities-mobile-signal-best-worst-london-birmingham-leeds-o2-three-vodafone-ee-a8318491.html

I may have implied you were telling untruths about your signal, but you started it by implying I am stupid enough to let an animal who licks her own arse lick my grandson and on top of that you implied I was contemplating leaving him in a room with said filthy animal to await a savage attack?

Thank you LondonGranny, for coming back to us and letting us know what you are considering. I personally think that a cheap, simple PAYG a very sensible idea, and helpful for your friends & family. Everything else is a lifestyle choice.
And I don't give out my mobile number (except when relating to holidays). I found that if I gave it to, for example, the dentist, they would always ring it in preference to the landline, and I wouldn't pick up the text or message for days!
And yes, I have friends in London with poor mobile signals.

I got rid of my mobile phone a few years ago,I dont miss it,I dont need to see where everyone is or what they're about to eat or be on call for anyone who thinks I should be.If I'm out on my own and need a taxi I either walk to the taxi rank or use the freephone in any of the local supermarkets .I had to renew my passport in ahurry and the Passport office searches your bag when you arrive and your pockets.The poor wee man was so confused when he couldn't find a phone.He insisted I MUST have one somewhere and was quite shocked when I told him that when I'm out .I'm OUT to everyone .You dont want one ,dont have one and dont let anyone make you think you need to conform .

I just wish I had your backbone. There is so much time wasted on these things. I am sure people feel they have busy lives with work and family but I am convinced it is due to spending so much time on these devices.

I came back to this thread, to suggest that anyone looking for a PAYG deal should look at the phone co-op, who charge by the second, not the minute. They also sell the Fairphone.
I know nothing about liars and ?dogs? or what they have to do with this.

Like many people, a smartphone is an essential device in the course of my work. However, for persons who are perhaps retired those phones can still be essential to their safety in the course of their lives.

By example, when I get into my car my phone automatically links into the vehicles computer system. Should there be a vehicle accident which resulted in me being totally incapacitated the car computer system recognises there has been an incident, automatically informs the phone which then rings the emergency services.

The phone will then autonomously inform the emergency services who I am, the vehicle registration number, and exactly where the accident has taken place.

There are many other such similar applications which can be set up in cases of sudden illness etc.

So, in my view, it is well worth carrying a smartphone if only for such occurrences as the above.

Londongranny
When your out and about do you have telephone contact Nos in case of an emergency on your person?
Let's suppose that you collapse, your unconscious, you get taken to A&E and your still unconscious. Who do they call?
The emergency services would be able to contact your nearest and dearest through your mobile.
I know that if it wasn't for a mobile a friend would have died.

Scentia

I think it's extremely bad form to follow people around on other threads with some beef you've got. I think it's over-defensive to almost the point of paranoia when people make a general point about pets where the word 'you' wasn't used at all. My main point was about cats, not your Staffordshire bull terrier. That's one hell of a disconnect
from what I actually said. I've never mistaken a cat for a dog whether in real life or as a written word.
You read things into it that just weren't there, which considering that you accused others of not reading your posts properly is a bit rich. I certainly didn't use the language you said I used.
More than bit shocked at the foul-mouthed tirades of abuse you subjected others to on that thread so I suppose I should be grateful I escaped that.

I think the fact that you can have access to Gransnet whenever you are waiting for a bus/bored should be reason enough to have one. Also you might find that your family/loved ones contact you more often (DD often facetimes when she's out and about but you need a mobile phone (or computer) to be able to do that). Whether you want to encourage contact from loved ones is another matter!

I don't blame you for not wanting a mobile but the fact is that they're nice to have for all the reasons that have already been mentioned.
I felt the same way as you a few years back but I wouldn't be without one now. They come in handy, and there are fewer phone boxes around, especially those which use money instead of a card (and you need the right change).
Mine came into its own when I had a nasty fall down the stairs 17 months ago. I had to ring 3 numbers (sister's landline, her mobile and then her husband's mobile) before someone picked up and could take me to A&E. If they hadn't got mobiles I would have had to dial 999 for an ambulance.

My elderly mother had a mobile phone and it was a Godsend to her in her final years, she felt safe in the knowledge that she could carry it around with her everywhere and that she could get in contact with any of us almost immediately.

There were times when she wasn't well, also when she had falls, when her heating wasn't working properly and she used her phone to get hold of us.

OP you live in London, have a landline, map and A-Z and computer. No reason at all you should have a mobile from your point of view especially when you had a bad experience with people bullying you before you retired to use one. You also have an SLR etc like me. However I've found it's good when on the move (and I don't carry my pc around) to send or receive the odd photo and message from family and friends and so much simpler than connecting my camera to my pc, downloading and emailing. It's also easier for me to be in touch with friends when travelling and comforting for my DC to know they can get in touch if I'm not at home.

alchemilla

I've looked at some cheap PAYG mobiles and Tesco do a very good basic one (with camera) for £20. You're right, I don't carry either my digital or SLR cameras in my handbag, I tend to take them out for something specific, like on holiday or a day trip to the London Wetland Centre or whatever.

...and you're right about the bullying. My line manager was awful, not just about the phone. I let the constant undermining and snidey comments just slide past but it was noticed by my colleagues, one of whom was amazed I didn't land a left hook on my last day!

I was reluctant many years ago and only got one since I was a single mum needing to make frequent after work hospital visits to my sick mother often leaving my teenage children on their own for hours. I wanted them to be able to contact me at any time with any problem.
Since them I tend to get my daughter‘s ‘old’ smart phone and I am very happy to be in contact with my children a lot more due to family WhatsApp etc than with my parents who have no computer or smart phone.

If there are children or grandchildren it is Definitely a great way to stay in contact. Video clips and pictures keep me in the loop and included in their life. I wish I could do the same with my parents.

I am actuslly reading your post on my mobile phone while on holiday. My smart phone is smaller and lighter than my tablet, takes up little room. I have a really cheap pay as you go contract which gives me thousands of minutes and texts and 4 GB of data per month for £7.50.

I have an app for my local library, so I can borrow books on my phone and read them on the bus, in dentist and doctors waiting room etc.

No idea why a strong minded woman like you londongranny is still asking something that you know the answer to, unless it’s a divisive thread to be a tiny bit argumentative and a little bit patty on the backy
Enjoy your techno free life no one pushing your arm up your back

It seems to me that LondonGranny has considered most of the responses on here. A lot of good points have been made.
A good part of making the choice about mobile phones is working out how best to fit the technology into your life, and I think this thread has probably been useful for others (if you leave out the odd bit about dogs).

I do think that all sorts of technology bothers some people, and threads like these help to see other points of view.

I've stayed out of this so far as it seemed like a challenge was being offered "show me why i need a phone". My reasoning was...you don't! You do what you want and I would never try to influence one way or other.

I know I would not be without my smart phone but I am not a slave to it and do read actual books on buses and trains. I also turn my phone on silent very often (and am lamblasted for this by people who cannot get in touch with me ha ha) BUT I don't feel I am a slave to my phone, I just make it work in my favour. Some of things I use it for may not be relevant to other people.

As Londongranny is not adverse to technology per se (she is on here for one thing) I think it is more the determination not to be railroaded...just because..... Her prerogative....... but am betting if she ever 'succumbs' she will never look back.

You're right, I don't carry either my digital or SLR cameras in my handbag

I forgot about the camera! I don’t know why as that is my most frequent use of my phone. Also the diary, calendar, calculater and notes and all in one place

YANBU, it is entirely up to you to be mobile free.

Nothing whatsoever to do with the thread, but...

"Through autumns golden gown we used to kick our way..
You always loved this time of year..
My life will be forever autumn..
Now you're not here"
lovely, lovely song.

Not unreasonable, useless until you come to emergency.

Justin Hayward, misadventure? I believe in the charts in Autumn 1978?

Back to the thread....

I have a cousin who refuses to get a mobile. It's a PITA. He rings on the landline at all hours. I keep the bloody thing specifically for him, even though I'd love to disconnect it.

I find it really selfish. He has health problems and I'm his emergency contact..it would be so much easier for everyone, including him, if he would just get himself a bloody mobile and TEXT.

Before I started losing my sight, a friend gave me his mobile when he upgraded and it was fun to text people occasionally but it was never used in any sort of drama such as being knocked down or gawd help anyone who dared an abduction attempt.

Now I have a flash Smartphone which I can't see.

My son put a voice operated system on it which allows me to speak my messages, 'Help, I'm being abducted!' but doesn't talk back when anyone responds.

'They're wasting their time asking for ransom. You're only worth $3.50.'

But all my 'contacts' can easily be phoned on my landline and actually spoken to -and there is an answerphone if they ring back.

I trust if I'm knocked down, someone else will ring for the
roadside recoversy service ambulance.