Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for November 17, 2024

Oh the joy of having a mobile phone.

People were a lot calmer when we all had landline phones and answering machines.

I found this somewhere: Glowing Rectangular Anxiety Generator

Smart phone. A misnomer if ever there was one.

Give the guy a chance, he may had it on silent. Or had it turned off,

Texting is a pain. My fingers are too big for the teeny tiny phone keyboard and I have to use a stylus so it takes me longer to text than just say it. And there’s no vocal inflection that adds meaning. I prefer to call and talk and get things over in a few minutes than texting for a half hour, if they even respond that quickly.

12 hours after sending text, you realize you didn’t hit send.

The problem is not the inanimate object. The problem is us :D

If they text me, and I do not respond, it’s probably because I mislaid my phone again!

Just another gadget to drive us nuts!

Most of the time, when I send a text I don’t expect a response. Usually I’m not surprised.

But on the other hand, you can run Kindle on it.

People have more ways than ever to communicate but no interest in actually doing so. I was shocked once when I sent an text with an important question about an event and I actually got a reply two weeks later with the answer. Usually never get a reply, ever.

I have a friend and for a while went through these first stages. He would eventually respond. One day I was with him with a group and I wanted to ask him a question without anyone else knowing, so I texted him. He was sitting right next to me and had his phone, but didn’t respond. Turns out, he doesn’t have notifications turned on for messenger, so he will only get the text when he happens to look at his phone.

I remember back when the only smartphone we had was the Nintendo DS.

Some of us simply ignore texts until we feel like having a look, and replying if and when we want to.

I feel lucky to have lived prior to these things.

What really annoys people is that they cannot text me AT ALL. Drives them bonkers for some reason.

I always remind myself, “You don’t know what’s going on over at their place.”

I used to call Smart Phones “Adult Pacifier’s”, but now little kids have them as well. Need a new all-purpose name for smart phone users.

I’m on the other side of this – I don’t always have my phone in hand, and if it’s in my purse, I don’t always hear the text signal. So I may not respond until hours later, and I don’t want the sender to think I was ignoring them. Many of my texts begin with “Sorry – just saw your message…”

Keep your land line for God’s sake.

I turn my phone off for the night at 7pm. No texts by returned for at least 12 hours.

My phone is usually lost or dead, I don’t carry it around with me at home either. I do most any computer stuff on my PC—like I’m doing now. That little tiny phone screen is too difficult to read.

More frustrating is the person who sends an email/text that needs a response, I answer immediately, with a response needing a reply, and they seem to have turned off their computer or phone for the next 3 days

Text- If there’s a list for me.Call – If it’s important.

People like texting because they can ignore it.

I don’t have a smart phone, and get really ticked when parking lots or ramps require one to pay. They should be required to take cash or at least a credit card.

I just send another text a few hours later. No need for all of this, I have enough anxiety.

Years ago, I decided I needed some personal time off and to take a road trip to North Carolina. I informed the young lady I was currently dating that I wouldn’t be answering calls or texts on the road and that I would call her to let her know I had arrived safely. So, from Kansas City to St. Louis she called and texted me a total of 27 times, all unanswered and at this point I decided it was time to breakup with her. I had been spoiled by my deceased wife who was a strong and independent woman who was as much my best friend as anything else. Also, none of the calls/texts were of an urgent nature. I did call the girlfriend when I arrived and waited to breakup as gently as possible in person when I returned. I am not a Cad like those that would have ghosted her.

12 hours later, realizing that you sent those texts to the wrong person.

Or the phone is always set to silent, because you’re tired of being disturbed 5 times a day with spam and politicians asking for money.

Ex girlfriends slap-texts…

If anyone’s building a snowman, you could use her carrot……..um….nose.

Recently went to the theater and they wouldn’t let me in because they had to scan the QR code from my phone, and I wasn’t able to retrieve it, even though I had an email showing I had paid and what my seats were. Had to go to the box office and obtain paper tickets that they could then scan!!

If a caller is in my contacts I’ll answer but message notifications are off.

Don’t worry, be happy.

What she needs is a job. She obviously has way too much spare time for bothering other people…

10 hours? It usually takes several days if ever to get a response from distant family members. And don’t get me started on email!

Colombo always managed to have his phone calls routed to the criminal’s phone so he could do a gotcha.

Forget heroin, smart phones are the new drug of choice

This is why I’ve never bought into texts and that crap. I’ve spent my life avoiding annoying and pushy people. I will not become their slave at their whim. It also feeds self-absorption to have that power.

I never worry about responses, nor do I assign reasons if it does not come immediately.Further, I have never blocked anyone for not responding to a text.Then again, it can take me upwards of 3 hours to return a text because the phone is not in my hand most of the time.

Well, asking last night’s blind date to get married may be a little too soon.

I have a friend that has been my friend for 53 years. Sometimes days go by before either of us respond. It’s all good. What this also does is it can make a casual conversation last for several weeks, and sometimes a month. We’re both 71. LOL

The problem with iphones is people expect immediate response.

that’s why I have the setting “request received” for sms

The Motorola bag phones worked the best and were simply a phone.

Texting has been a thing way before smartphones. I would’ve preferred seeing crocs, and zeeba neighba. Sorry, Steph. Not one of your best Sunday strips

Is this really a thing? I’ve never given it much thought.

I have a strict schedule. I don’t open my mail until after dinner. And my phone is for me to call out if necessary. I have stripped it down to a phone app, SMS, settings, clock and my service provider’s app. It is just a phone. And if you think that’s bad, you should see what I’ve done to this laptop.

The solution is simple: hack into the phone camera and microphone to find out what’s really going on.

You all answer me RIGHT NOW or I’ll never speak to you again once I find out who you are !