Confessions of a Texting Prude

I’m not against all technology, but I am against stupid things that people do. I realize that’s a pretty broad topic, so for now I’ll just explain why I specifically hate texting & internet cell phones. Against the opinion of many friends, I refuse to get a cell phone plan with texting capabilities. I know. Most people are probably thinking, “Whoa, those still exist?” 

I figure it’s enough that I have a cell phone at all. Mostly, I use it for brief informational purposes and for emergencies. I’m not a phone talker at all; a quality I’ve found lots of men desire in women. So it’s a sacrifice for me to even own a phone, but I at least understand the need for basic service. What I object to is the forfeiture of human interaction in favor of a love affair with technology. 

I see it as a major threat to personal relationships, both intimate and work-related. There have been many times, while visiting with friends, that I’ve been stood-up, mid-conversation by the buzz of an incoming text message. I silently wait, thinking, “What the heck? We were just holding a heated conversation about the topic du jour, and you put me on hold, while live and in person, to check a mini computer screen?” 

For this reason, I fought my husband’s desire to get one of those blasted texting contraptions for himself. I stated my reasons, but left the decision up to him. He made up his mind at work one day, despite my reasoning. The incoming crew arrived 45 minutes before actual crew change time and sat at the station, each with his own cell phone, playing with aps, texting, browsing games, etc. For two-thirds of an hour, they chose to spend no time participating in the brotherhood that has defined the fire service forever. Instead of embracing the community of fellow friends and firefighters right next to them, in flesh and blood, they chose to cling to their 2-inch by 4-inch electronic umbilicals as if those were their lifeblood instead. 

Thankfully, my husband no longer has any desire to get a fancy phone. He’d rather spend his time actively involved with our family and with his firefighters, not stroking a touch screen for his next fix of a cellular addiction.