Not particularly funny (since as someone stated, it’s a pretty old joke) but at least it’s true to life. Though it makes me wonder: just how old IS Frank? Because I’m no spring chicken myself yet I’ve managed to adapt to new technology. Phones were just phones back in my youth as well.
Some of us who don’t see small screens that well just stick with old land lines. When medical science gets smart enough to repair damage from macular degeneration, maybe I’ll think about a smart phone…
He probably selected a ring tone that sounds just like the old rotary dial phones. And the numbers on his dial pad are probably in a circle. Also, for when he’s away from the house, there is probably a coin slot on the side so it can be used in lieu of a pay phone.
Yep, this is yet another “Luann is cool because she knows latest tech, fashions, music, etc, etc, while her dorky dad is uncool because he still uses the old stuff” strip. Only this time, both father and daughter are stumped about the reasons for having a phone.
That’s the exact opposite of my mother’s phone. She has over one thousand photos and videos on her phone, and no space to install an update. When I tried to show her how to delete the videos, she panicked and took the phone back. It’s not a camcorder, and you don’t need twenty minutes’ footage of the grand kids at Chuck E’ Cheese!
I’m older than Frank. By a decade at least, and I know how to upgrade everything in our house. Three computers, three tablets, two iPhones. I can diagnose and usually fix most software and hardware problems. Cut the “old” folks some slack, a lot of us have been playing with digital equipment since Apple was in a garage.
I’m with Frank, I have a $9 flip phone for calls and text instead of a $700 iPhone which can do things I don’t need. Plus I don’t have to pay a hundred $ a month for the privilege.
I recently bought a new car and found out AFTER I bought it that they no longer install a CD player in 2018 forward, nor is it an option. So I now have a collection of my favorite artist and such that I can’t listen to. I do not have music on my phone and other than the radio the phone is the only choice. NOT A FAN>
40 Years from now, Luann’s kids will be doing the same thing with her, as she’s now doing with Frank. “Helping” Lu with a piece of as yet un-invented technology that she’ll not be all that “comfortable” with…..,
It’s not about understanding the technology. it’s about not needing it. I like the text feature; however, I just don’t need or want games and FB and restaurant guides and e bay and instagram on my phone. Those types of thing just don’t thrill me. I like traveling and hiking and and driving fast cars and working out. I can do all those without a phone strapped to me.
I’ve been thinking about going back to a flip phone for years and getting an iPad mini (or iPod Touch) for running apps. And several years ago, I would’ve saved quite a bit. But with today’s contracts, the phone company would only save me $10/mo (since I’ll still need the data plan for my other two family members). The cost of the phone itself is of less importance than the monthly cost of the service.
Frank is about 50. He didn’t build a crystal radio as a kid, nor did he have a Victrola. His grandfather probably, but not Frank. He had a cool stereo and a Trash-80.
Agree 100% with him. When I got my first smartphone a few months back, I started to download a few apps but decided all I want to do was make calls when necessary. My personal business will remain just that (my personal business). Google maps is about the only important thing a smartphone is good for. Takes me where I want to go.
This may be the first time Luann (!) has been cast as “the tech-savvy child" who rescues the “hopelessly clueless old fuddy-duddy parent” from his ignorance.
But Frank has the real point. Unless you actually want to be a Smartphone Zombie, you don’t need a load of stuff on your portable communicator that you don’t or shouldn’t do while on the run….
I get more calls than I make. I do take text, but it is beastly hard to text back. No movies, no apps, I do have a flip phone which is all I really need.
Namrepus over 6 years ago
If Frank wants to listen to music, he’ll use his hand-crank Victrola.
howtheduck over 6 years ago
This sort of joke has been making the rounds of the comics page for over ten years now. Is this really the first time Luann has done it?
Mordock999 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Oh that’s okay Frank. Your daughter probably doesn’t know how to use a dial phone.
What do you mean. “What’s a dial phone?”
Lee Cox over 6 years ago
The Generation Gap, 2018 Edition!
BJShipley1 over 6 years ago
Not particularly funny (since as someone stated, it’s a pretty old joke) but at least it’s true to life. Though it makes me wonder: just how old IS Frank? Because I’m no spring chicken myself yet I’ve managed to adapt to new technology. Phones were just phones back in my youth as well.
Argythree over 6 years ago
Some of us who don’t see small screens that well just stick with old land lines. When medical science gets smart enough to repair damage from macular degeneration, maybe I’ll think about a smart phone…
Brdshtt Premium Member over 6 years ago
He probably selected a ring tone that sounds just like the old rotary dial phones. And the numbers on his dial pad are probably in a circle. Also, for when he’s away from the house, there is probably a coin slot on the side so it can be used in lieu of a pay phone.
blunebottle over 6 years ago
Get your mitts off that device, kid! There’s a reason I don’t download apps.
Joe1962 over 6 years ago
What would have Luann done forty years when there for no cell phones.
HenryHimawari over 6 years ago
….he has an expensive smartphone just to make phone calls? :\ i had a phone to just make calls on but it was a cheapo flip phone model.
live2read over 6 years ago
That’s what I use my phone for. That and texting.
live2read over 6 years ago
Yep, this is yet another “Luann is cool because she knows latest tech, fashions, music, etc, etc, while her dorky dad is uncool because he still uses the old stuff” strip. Only this time, both father and daughter are stumped about the reasons for having a phone.
Rosette over 6 years ago
That’s the exact opposite of my mother’s phone. She has over one thousand photos and videos on her phone, and no space to install an update. When I tried to show her how to delete the videos, she panicked and took the phone back. It’s not a camcorder, and you don’t need twenty minutes’ footage of the grand kids at Chuck E’ Cheese!
Tue Elung-Jensen over 6 years ago
Got apps on my phone, but I tend to just have it for calls as well.
cynickle over 6 years ago
And this strip highlights what wrong with society today, especially amongst the younger folks
Joe1962 over 6 years ago
When i on my cell phone my family members get mad at me because i’m to busy to talk while i’m on the cell that’s the bad thing about a cell phone.
jdi801 over 6 years ago
I’m older than Frank. By a decade at least, and I know how to upgrade everything in our house. Three computers, three tablets, two iPhones. I can diagnose and usually fix most software and hardware problems. Cut the “old” folks some slack, a lot of us have been playing with digital equipment since Apple was in a garage.
okiejoe over 6 years ago
I’m with Frank, I have a $9 flip phone for calls and text instead of a $700 iPhone which can do things I don’t need. Plus I don’t have to pay a hundred $ a month for the privilege.
Tyge over 6 years ago
Then again “land lines” never get “attacked” by anybody, never rack up “data” charges and don’t bother you every five minutes with “text.”
colddonkey over 6 years ago
Thats me without the daughter part. Most of the apps on my phone that were “standard equipment” have been either deleted or turned off.
chris_weaver over 6 years ago
At least he’s not asking, “Where’s the rotary dial?”
jeanie5448 over 6 years ago
I recently bought a new car and found out AFTER I bought it that they no longer install a CD player in 2018 forward, nor is it an option. So I now have a collection of my favorite artist and such that I can’t listen to. I do not have music on my phone and other than the radio the phone is the only choice. NOT A FAN>
Luanaphile over 6 years ago
I fear I am old enough to be Frank’s dad, but I use my phone for what it is – a sophisticated computer.
Mordock999 Premium Member over 6 years ago
40 Years from now, Luann’s kids will be doing the same thing with her, as she’s now doing with Frank. “Helping” Lu with a piece of as yet un-invented technology that she’ll not be all that “comfortable” with…..,
Rocknaww over 6 years ago
It’s not about understanding the technology. it’s about not needing it. I like the text feature; however, I just don’t need or want games and FB and restaurant guides and e bay and instagram on my phone. Those types of thing just don’t thrill me. I like traveling and hiking and and driving fast cars and working out. I can do all those without a phone strapped to me.
shamino over 6 years ago
I’ve been thinking about going back to a flip phone for years and getting an iPad mini (or iPod Touch) for running apps. And several years ago, I would’ve saved quite a bit. But with today’s contracts, the phone company would only save me $10/mo (since I’ll still need the data plan for my other two family members). The cost of the phone itself is of less importance than the monthly cost of the service.
FassEddie over 6 years ago
To the curb, old man! Phone calls. How quaint!
MichaelHelwig over 6 years ago
Frank is about 50. He didn’t build a crystal radio as a kid, nor did he have a Victrola. His grandfather probably, but not Frank. He had a cool stereo and a Trash-80.
Airman over 6 years ago
View from the middle of the theater: Intermission, curtain goes down and dozens phone lights go on in front of you. Like oxygen to deep sea divers.
Templo S.U.D. over 6 years ago
Alexander Graham Bell would be miffed to see what became of his invention.
nmrn85343 over 6 years ago
I’m using a smartphone to write this comment. I’m 60.
Yakety Sax over 6 years ago
I have a smartphone. Hate the d@^^ thing! When its warranty is up I’m going back to a flip. All it does is tell me apps have updates.
seismic-2 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Frank: “You use your phone to store pictures?”
Luann: “Yep. Let me show you the ones I took of Jack this week!”
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace over 6 years ago
“Does not compute.”
stuartc6925 over 6 years ago
Agree 100% with him. When I got my first smartphone a few months back, I started to download a few apps but decided all I want to do was make calls when necessary. My personal business will remain just that (my personal business). Google maps is about the only important thing a smartphone is good for. Takes me where I want to go.
chain gang charlie over 6 years ago
I don’t even have one of those…I am not old fashioned….I am merely arrogant, concieted, and choose not to be bothered by the likes of you !
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
This may be the first time Luann (!) has been cast as “the tech-savvy child" who rescues the “hopelessly clueless old fuddy-duddy parent” from his ignorance.
But Frank has the real point. Unless you actually want to be a Smartphone Zombie, you don’t need a load of stuff on your portable communicator that you don’t or shouldn’t do while on the run….
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 6 years ago
I get more calls than I make. I do take text, but it is beastly hard to text back. No movies, no apps, I do have a flip phone which is all I really need.
Schrodinger's Dog over 6 years ago
I HAD to get a smartphone for one simple reason: I needed the large screen size to be able, at my age and bad eyesight, to read my wife’s texts.
31768 over 6 years ago
That was the point of having a phone in his day.
katzpawz1a over 6 years ago
Oh how I can relate to this strip! I have a love/hate relationship with my cell phone. All I want it to do is be a phone!
Ceeg22 Premium Member over 6 years ago
I hate making phone calls. I’m so glad my phone is good for other things.
amaryllis2 Premium Member over 6 years ago
As soon as he’s got a grandkid he’ll use that camera function nonstop.
Isaac Chen over 6 years ago
Remember back when Luann would spend all her time talking on the phone?