Mobile Mania

Without doubt, the mobile phone can be assured of a place in the history books. I used to think that they were only for business people and teenagers and others with a serious ‘need to talk’ condition, and vowed never to have one. I mean, I have a home telephone and email facilities, I always write notes and letters, why on earth should I need a mobile? Most people I know own mobiles and both my daughters are avid users of them, engaging them in horrendous ring and text tones that sometimes make me jump with fright. The latest tone I heard reminded me of an animal straining to be sick!

As I do a fair bit of hill-walking in the countryside it was agreed by the family that a mobile would be a worthwhile investment in an emergency, so I succumbed to purchasing one. As with most gadgets I am useless at using the technical facilities offered and asked the shop assistant for a really simple mobile phone that didn’t take photo’s or make rude noises. It should be as basic as possible, otherwise it would not get used. It was to be my insurance and there only when really needed. I purchased a basic model at £44 and got a small pouch to accommodate it. I then spent ages trying to add my contacts and try sending a text message. My daughters exclaimed that I could have treated myself to a more up market model and why on earth by one without a camera facility! In their eyes it was an utter waste of money.

I now agree that a mobile is a very useful gadget and although I’ve never had to make any 999 calls, and can’t remember what the ring tone sounds like in the least. However, I enjoy text messaging. I find it is a great way of keeping in touch without being intrusive. It is rare I make actual calls and a £10 top-up fee lasts me ages. This fee changed recently when I was awaiting my daughters’ A level results. I walked around the house clutching the precious object, like many mobile users do, waiting for it to ring with news, but that news eventually came on the landline. Wonderful news that my daughter had not only got her grades for her chosen University but an Academic Scholarship into the bargain. That news of course came by letter. Ecstatic I began texting my friends, who in turn texted back with their good wishes. I made 18 texts in one day. It was at that stage that I remember thinking how useful my little black and silver mobile actually is. Would I do without it? Well, it’s like many things in this life, once you have it, it’s really hard to be without it. So my mobile is now part of my daily life, without being intrusive. Texting is a brilliant means of communication, and alongside emails it’s probably a market leader. Nothing of course replaces the good old fashioned letter or card that lands on your doormat each day, even if the Post Office deliveries are late. As with most areas of modern living it is good to have diversity, and that’s certainly true of the world of communication.