I guess my realization that the spoken word was disappearing was shortly after we moved here and one of my daughters admonished me for not answering her text message. I explained after she finally called me that I do not carry my phone around with me everywhere I go and had she called me I would have answered her immediately. I have learned over the years that emailing is almost as passe as phoning and the way to go is either WhatsApp or texting.
Yesterday I spent the day at home after leaving the office around noon. I did not speak with one person for the entire afternoon and evening. Every communication that I received of any sort was by text. I realize that it is part of my loneliness, but I sincerely miss hearing people’s voices. I guess suggesting an afternoon coffee date with someone is easier by text. Why? What did everyone do prior to this phenomenon?
Finally, when actually meeting someone face to face it is rare for the two individuals not to be receiving phone calls, texts etc while socializing. What could be so important that was not vital years ago? Remember the days that were much more peaceful and relaxing when we did not have the scourge of cell phones with us in every room in the house?
I know this is a hopeless discussion. I’m one of the few who appreciates real down to earth voice to voice calls. Everyone else is in too much of a rush (to what?) or too impatient to really speak with someone.
I frequently keep the radio on in my house so I can at least hear some people speaking. My grandchildren laugh at the use of a radio and my older children probably most associate it with my mother, who always had the radio on when alone. She forever quoted what was stated on the news or a talk show. Good old Bob Grant, whoever he was, was one of her favorite broadcasters.
On a different note, back in the day I spent each day of the summer sending off a written letter to my children who were at three different camps at the same time. How exciting it was to receive letters back from them. Letters??? They are now passe as well! Today you just send an email to this and this address and hope they receive them. By the way, we never spoke with our children while they were at camp and it was fine with me and with them.
As I write this it is raining cats and dogs outside. Streets are flooded—New Bridge is a river and the phone is silent. So much easier to write—“Hi, how’s the rain near you? Are you flooded yet?” I think I am going to go on strike and not return texts. The problem is that the only one that would suffer is me and the loneliness and quiet will just be exacerbated. Right now it is me and the raindrops pouring down on my house. I dare not go down to my basement to see if there is flooding because what would I do if there was? I guess I would have to text someone in order to get any kind of an answer. If there is, so be it.
I do not consider myself old fashioned. I am pretty sure that to my grandchildren I am the Bubbie who is the most “with it.” But this technology stuff is getting to me.
B”H for Erev Shabbos it is still the norm in my home to receive calls from beautiful voices wishing me a good Shabbos. For that I am forever grateful. I worry for those in the future who might get a text with good wishes and probably the desire to hear a real voice will not even be a thought, and certainly not expected.
My suggestion to those who are open to considering new and different ideas is to please pick up the phone and call a person instead of texting them. Give them a chance to recover from fainting before you begin a conversation, Enough ranting for one night!
Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].
