Pre cellphone days & Pay Phones

[12Nole]

Tell me about the days before cellphones. It must have been nice going home after work and no one calling or sending emails to your cellphone. Anyone ever remember running to a payphone regularly to make work calls? I'm starting to think technology has actually made us work harder since we're now accessible 24/hrs.
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[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Odd to think about now.

I was thinking the other day about how we used to communicate in high school - everyone just passed the word around and we drove all over the place. Almost exactly like Dazed and Confused.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Technology has undoubtedly made us work harder. It used to be that once you left the office (at 5pm), you were unreachable unless you were dumb enough to answer your home phone. Even in the early days of cell phones, coverage could be so spotty that you could ignore a call and later claim to have been in a "dead zone", but you can't do that now unless you're in the middle of the Grand Canyon.

Now, with smart phones and wifi, you are effectively on call 24x7, which sucks.

I never had to run to a payphone for work, but I did for other things - like letting someone know that you were at the airport, etc.

I also lived through the pager/beeper phase of technology - straight numbers, and then text-based, so I'm familiar with getting the "-911" pages that meant it was an emergency and call back asap (which it rarely ever was..).

 

[ggmike1992]

Originally posted by NDallasRuss:
unless you were dumb enough to answer your home phone.

Still applies to today's technology. Good luck getting ahold of me when I'm off.

 

[travnole]

Our vp a few weeks ago to a fellow employee....

"Why did you take the time to set up an out of office email reply, you're not."

I thought it was a joke. It wasn't.
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[cmanole]

You're just now figuring this out? We used to tell our friends on a Friday that we'd them at so and on Saturday at 9 pm and that was it.

 

[seminoledq]

I think the biggest difference is during vacations or random days off. I do pretty well with not working too much while on vacation but I can't imagine coming back to the office after a week off and not having a clue as to what happened while I was gone.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Originally posted by 12Nole:
Tell me about the days before cellphones. It must have been nice going home after work and no one calling or sending emails to your cellphone. Anyone ever remember running to a payphone regularly to make work calls? I'm starting to think technology has actually made us work harder since we're now accessible 24/hrs.

Posted from Rivals Mobile

"Technology" is one of the great frauds in modern civilization. The mantra of "this will make your life easier" is simply false. Everyone now works harder, longer and more intensely than ever before. And you are essentially accessible 24/7. You turn your back on your devices at your peril. The fact that you may elect not to answer or respond does not mean that a ticking time bomb is not in your in-box, or on your voicemail, waiting to explode.

Your job security is at an all-time low. We simply need fewer people to do the work now. Most businesses need fewer cashiers, secretaries, receptionists and general clerical people, among others.

Go to an airport and look around. No one is talking to his/her neighbor. They are checking emails, sending texts, or talking to clients, customers or co-workers.

Vacation? Pfft. You are still plenty accessible even if you don't want to be. And even if you do "leave the grid" for 7-10 days, God help you when you return.

Technology is horrible. Only the young folks who never knew the "other way" feel differently.

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This post was edited on 3/29 7:33 AM by JohnnieHolmesNole

 

[Bartdog]

I remember when having a cell phone was a serious status symbol. When we finally got one I felt conspicuous actually taking it out to talk on it.

back in '99 they were more common, but still everyone didn't have one. Our house was being built (along with about 1,000 more in the general area). I went to the gas station and in the span of about 10 minutes I saw probably 10-15 different contractors or guys working for contractors drive up, use the pay phone, get instructions and drive away. Mobile technology has definitely made those guys more productive.

As for home time, there were still interruptions; it was that your house phone would ring off the hook, and always at dinner time.

 

[mnole03]

Originally posted by NDallasRuss:

I also lived through the pager/beeper phase of technology - straight numbers, and then text-based, so I'm familiar with getting the "-911" pages that meant it was an emergency and call back asap (which it rarely ever was..).

This was the beginning of the end. Before there were unnecessary "urgent" emails, there were needless "911" pages.

 

[89nole]

Great post
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[runkpanole]

The best 7 days I ever had was on my honeymoon out of the country.

 

[skramer100]

Originally posted by runkpanole:
The best 7 days I ever had was on my honeymoon out of the country.

Took a 6 day honeymoon in the Bahamas, still received phone calls. Worst was last year we went to St. Martin and my office and some clients found out that I could receive emails and wifi phone calls. Spent the first day answering emails on the beach. At least I was drinking.

 

[jamnolfin]

Re: Pre cellphone days & Pay Phones

I want people to call me whenever, I love my job and really could care less if it's you or my family, friends I'm talking to.
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[fsunole025]

It seems like people treat the number of projects they are working on or how busy they are as a badge of honor. I view it as the inability to prioritize effectively. You're doing it wrong if you can't enjoy a vacation.
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[cmanole]

Originally posted by fsunole025:
It seems like people treat the number of projects they are working on or how busy they are as a badge of honor. I view it as the inability to prioritize effectively. You're doing it wrong if you can't enjoy a vacation.
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Depends on the job though. I know I'm lucky and I think you are too. I can leave the office for a week or two on vacation and shut it down completely. I used to not have a job like that and it sucked...

 

[Bartdog]

I just realized this is a good spot for this cool story bro...

When I was in the hospital I actually had to dial in to work every day to bypass a daily process someone else had set up that wasn't working. HE was on vacation.

I have almost never been able to escape work completely. It started years ago (1998 or 1999) I was talking on a cell phone standing knee deep in the gulf explaining to someone how to do something. I didn't mind. I had set up the program and was thankful to be able to get away while others ran with it.

 

[SeaPA]

Originally posted by fsunole025:
It seems like people treat the number of projects they are working on or how busy they are as a badge of honor. I view it as the inability to prioritize effectively. You're doing it wrong if you can't enjoy a vacation.

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Indeed. Last summer I was in China for 2 weeks & did not contact the office a single time. Somehow, the world kept going 'round.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Originally posted by fsunole025:
It seems like people treat the number of projects they are working on or how busy they are as a badge of honor. I view it as the inability to prioritize effectively. You're doing it wrong if you can't enjoy a vacation.
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It may mean that you have a low level position where no one needs to reach you. Or it may mean you are the top dog where you can make up your own rules. For everyone else, it is not really possible for "planning" to insulate you from the vagaries of techno-hassle.
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[ELONOLE]

I just received an email providing information about when, where, etc about our family reunion this summer. The final sentence on the email said "Don't forget to being your charger." Oh well. I'm a retired old geezer & will do what I want. I won't bring my charger or a phone, but I will bring a couple of books & my walking shoes. And I'll talk to people on the beach, especially early in the morning when other people like me are out.

 

[Oski Germany]

This post was edited on 3/28 11:02 AM by Oski Germany

 

[billanole]

I will "date" myself right out of the gate. ..
Most long distance callers would start the conversation with the disclaimer that "this is long distance" which meant get the guy on the line quick, because this is an expensive call.
When we called our grandparents on a holiday, there was often a message saying "all circuits are busy" which meant try again later because the American Telephone & Telegraph monopoly landline system was maxxed out.
On weekends and evenings, it was less expensive to call long distance.
I will never forget hearing about an 800 number which meant no charge to talk long distance for as long as you wanted. Wow!!
I would take a sack full of quarters and ride my bike to a pay phone in order to call an out of town girlfriend... every 3 minutes you had to add money.

Fast forward to where I resisted getting a cell phone for as long as possible. Hate the MF er.
Never will forget my buddy flipping out when his wife called to tell him "I'm home". From their driveway...in the early days when minutes were expensive.
Now, as someone noted above, people have that thing stuck to them all the time...ignoring the people all around them to communicate via distance (sometimes across the table!) with others.

 

[BloodyNoseJose]

Technology is gradually making a career as a pick pocket more enticing.

 

[NY_22_Nole]

I don't own a cellphone and will be 50 this year. I work 4 miles from home and go straight home every night. The only time I would need a cellphone would be if I break down.

It is getting to the point that I have had a few employers in the last few years tell me I "need" to have a cellphone so they can reach me in an emergency. I have told several they are free to go out and purchase one for me as long as they pay the bill - I won't even lay money out and wait to get reimbursed.

I work in the daytime and spend the evenings and weekends with my family - thank you very much.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Originally posted by NY_22_Nole:

I don't own a cellphone and will be 50 this year. I work 4 miles from home and go straight home every night. The only time I would need a cellphone would be if I break down.

It is getting to the point that I have had a few employers in the last few years tell me I "need" to have a cellphone so they can reach me in an emergency. I have told several they are free to go out and purchase one for me as long as they pay the bill - I won't even lay money out and wait to get reimbursed.

I work in the daytime and spend the evenings and weekends with my family - thank you very much.

Kudos to you. I think that's great.

I read an article recently that Bill Clinton has supposedly sent 2 emails his entire life. Not sure if true, but, if so, I like that. I read an obituary recently about an 85+ year-old business owner who worked until 80ish. Never owned a computer, and never sent or received an email. I think that is awesome.

These freaking machines have taken over our lives, and most of us are powerless to break away. Incredible.

 

[NoleFan2U]

Re: Pre cellphone days & Pay Phones

I am enjoying reading this on my cell phone at a dance competition. Reminds me of the good old days.
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[Singleshot]

The hell is this pay phone, busy circuits and long distance stuff you people are talking about?

 

[goldmom]

The only time I'm not near my phone is in the shower. When I'm on vacation I put that message on my computer and I still get 50
Emails from the same people who know I'm on vacay and don't care.

Millennials have no clue - they think this 24/7/365 is somehow normal. No wonder it's not uncommon to have so many unused vacation days. Why bother?

 

[NDallasRuss]

Originally posted by JohnnieHolmesNole:

I read an article recently that Bill Clinton has supposedly sent 2 emails his entire life.

I'm betting that both emails included pictures of his junk.

 

[surfnole]

I remember having to stay at the office until 7, 8, 9 or 10 just waiting for a phone call or waiting for the boss to finish something. Now I can go home and login if needed. I generally don't check email on the weekends.

I remember phone bills in the 100s of dollars when I had an out of town girlfriend. I also remember having to buy my 10 pound phone from the phone company for an outrageous price. Then there were secretaries who who took your messages and a "typing pool". You dropped off a handwritten letter and picked it up a few hours later from the typist. Reviewed it, gave it back. etc.

Parents had a much easier time screening phone calls, and I hated calling a girl at her parents house because I didn't want to talk to her parents.

 

[billanole]

Originally posted by Singleshot:
The hell is this pay phone, busy circuits and long distance stuff you people are talking about?

Reminds me of the question a friend once asked. How many people do you think would live in South Florida without air conditioning? Without technology, you kids would struggle. Wierd world now, world is wierd.

This is why tribes in Africa and the Middle East are winning the long struggle. We are trying to win against people with nothing to lose.

 

[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Originally posted by goldmom:
The only time I'm not near my phone is in the shower. When I'm on vacation I put that message on my computer and I still get 50
Emails from the same people who know I'm on vacay and don't care.

Millennials have no clue - they think this 24/7/365 is somehow normal. No wonder it's not uncommon to have so many unused vacation days. Why bother?

No one gives a damn. In the old days, your secretary said "Mr. Smith is on vacation. He'll call you back when he returns on ---." And the caller said fine. Today, the caller asks for your cell phone number, assuming he doesn't already have it.

No one cares if you are on vacation, a honeymoon or bereavement leave. By God, they are leaving their message or sending their email, and the ball is then in your court. Deal with it as you see fit.

Would like to meet the SOB who started this insanity.
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[F4Gary]

I have a cell phone and computer/email for my own convenience. I never gave my company my cell number or email.

I still remember phone booths with phone books in them.

 

[BelemNole]

Re: Pre cellphone days & Pay Phones

It is crazy. Work longer hours with no real job security anymore. Can people call or email me? Sure, but I can also choose when to turn the damn thing off and be unavailable and suffer any consequences. Is it stupid that there are consequences? Absolutely, but that's our world now.
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[JohnnieHolmesNole]

Originally posted by surfnole:

Parents had a much easier time screening phone calls, and I hated calling a girl at her parents house because I didn't want to talk to her parents.

LOL. So true. Most kids today don't even "date" in the conventional sense. And much of the time the girl is sending lurid texts to the guy. Times have definitely changed.

 

[MVT ATLANTA]

I've been in sales for 20+ years. It's very interesting to see how things have changed over the years.

Initially, I was very resistant to a cell phone. My buyers would get irate that they couldn't reach me when I was out of the office. Even though email was in place.I also worked for a company that was based on the west coast. The routine for me was always to spend time in the home office either sending emails or calls early, then wait till 10 or 12 to actually get a response. Conversely, when I was ready to shut it down around 5, I would still get calls or emails from the west coast till 8 needing a response right away. I guess technology actually helped in a way as I could field the call or email and dismiss it quickly with little effort.

The hard part for me was when I owned my own business. It literally was 24/7/365 for me as I was always "on call" for my customers and employees. It also never failed that if I was going to take some time off I would always, and I mean always get a call at 5 that afternoon as I was walking out the door to start my down time from either a customer or employee with some crisis that would invariably derail my enjoyment while I was gone.

It's always been a challenge with a home office. You've just got to know when to shut it down and walk away.