Smartphone Phobia and Nomophobia in RV Life

[DonTom]

I have the opposite problem. I have a bad case of Smartphone Phobia. I wish the stupid things were never invented and for countless reasons.

But for perhaps "most people" (a term that often leaves me out!):


"Nomophobia is the fear of being without your smartphone.

For many people, the anxiety of being detached from your phone or not having cell service is real. The condition, Nomophobia, stands for No Mobile Phone Phobia and can cause such symptoms as sweating, shaking, agitation and even breathing difficulties. Research has shown Nomophobia can affect up to 73% of people, according to Forbes."

See here for more info.


-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

I have the opposite problem. I have a bad case of Smartphone Phobia. I wish the stupid things were never invented and for countless reasons.

But for perhaps "most people" (a term that often leaves me out!):


"Nomophobia is the fear of being without your smartphone.

For many people, the anxiety of being detached from your phone or not having cell service is real. The condition, Nomophobia, stands for No Mobile Phone Phobia and can cause such symptoms as sweating, shaking, agitation and even breathing difficulties. Research has shown Nomophobia can affect up to 73% of people, according to Forbes."

See here for more info.


-Don- Auburn, CA

What part of a smartphone forces you to use it for anything more than phone calls?

 

[LarsMac]

I have more anxiety about leaving my pocket knife behind, than my phone.

 

[DonTom]

What part of a smartphone forces you to use it for anything more than phone calls?

I could name them all day long. But for starters, since this is an RV forum, go wash your clothes at the RV Park in Tahacahpi, CA, and you will quickly see one reason. This would be impossible to require such a method if the stupid smartphones had never been invented. There is NO other way to pay (and yes, I did ask).

FWIW, I had no problem getting the job done, but I would rather use my collection of quarters I keep in each RV.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

I could name them all day long. But for starters, since this is an RV forum, go wash your clothes at the RV Park in Tahacahpi, CA, and you will quickly see one reason. This would be impossible to require such a method if the stupid smartphones had never been invented. There is NO other way to pay (and yes, I did ask).

FWIW, I had no problem getting the job done, but I would rather use my collection of quarters I keep in each RV.

-Don- Auburn, CA

It also wouldn't have been a problem if washing machines hadn't been invented. At what point should technological progress be cut off?

 

[DonTom]

At what point should technological progress be cut off?

When the technological "progress" is more trouble for the users instead of less.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

When the technological "progress" is more trouble for the users instead of less.

-Don- Auburn, CA

Carrying your phone and tapping on an app is more trouble than lugging a pocketful of quarters to stuff in the coin slots and hoping you have enough? Or putting a $5 bill in the change machine because you don't have any more ones and you only need 3 more quarters?

 

[DonTom]

Carrying your phone and tapping on an app is more trouble than lugging a pocketful of quarters to stuff in the coin slots and hoping you have enough? Or putting a $5 bill in the change machine because you don't have any more ones and you only need 3 more quarters?

While I will not travel without my Stupid Smartphone, it is turned off at all times until I MUST use it.

And I carry a large collection of quarters in each of my RVs. I never let it get below around $50.00 or so worth. But that does me no good at the Valley View RV Park where a Smartphone (and putting money in the app via credit card) and setting up the app that may never be used again. At the next RV Park, perhaps it will require a different app. I think we will see more and more of this.

BTW, I hear a lot of money is made this way by using other people's unused money put in such apps. by the company that sponsors such.

BTW, before your next RV trip, be sure to download and setup your Dadson Pay account. They are probably the largest for now. But expect more, all requiring their own different app.

Yes, I prefer to use quarters and very much so.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

While I will not travel without my Stupid Smartphone, it is turned off at all times until I MUST use it.

And I carry a large collection of quarters in each of my RVs. I never let it get below around $50.00 or so worth. But that does me no good at the Valley View RV Park where a Smartphone (and putting money in the app via credit card) and setting up the app that may never be used again. At the next RV Park, perhaps it will require a different app. I think we will see more and more of this.

BTW, I hear a lot of money is made this way by using other people's unused money put in such apps. by the company that sponsors such.

BTW, before your next RV trip, be sure to download and setup your Dadson Pay account. They are probably the largest for now. But expect more, all requiring their own different app.

Yes, I prefer to use quarters and very much so.

-Don- Auburn, CA

My last RV trip was two years ago due to health issues. The only laundromat where I recall paying by phone used Paypal or Google Pay. A number of others accepted credit cards. The ones I disliked were where you had to buy their pre-loaded card in fixed amounts that we never quite used up before we left.

 

[Larry N.]

This would be impossible to require such a method if the stupid smartphones had never been invented. There is NO other way to pay (and yes, I did ask).

FWIW, I had no problem getting the job done, but I would rather use my collection of quarters I keep in each RV.

I would have found another place or waited 'til I moved on, since I refuse to have anything on my "phone" (pocket computer, actually) related to finance -- cash or credit cards are for paying, a phone is for telephone calls.

Guess I'm too untrusting of a lot of things. I don't even like placing orders over the internet from my computer, though sometimes there's no choice.

 

[DonTom]

. The ones I disliked were where you had to buy their pre-loaded card in fixed amounts that we never quite used up before we left.

The same thing happens with the online accounts, I have cash in many accounts I have not used in years.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

What part of a smartphone forces you to use it for anything more than phone calls?

Here is another issue I mentioned before. Would not have this problem if the Stupid SmartPhones were never invented,

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Jackiemac]

Last year the laundry in Colter Bay needed you to use a card i think. None of them were working so the guy at the desk had to do some jiggery pokery to get them going. Sigh.

 

[8Muddypaws]

These gol durned newfangled gadgets!

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

I would have found another place or waited 'til I moved on, since I refuse to have anything on my "phone" (pocket computer, actually) related to finance -- cash or credit cards are for paying, a phone is for telephone calls.

Guess I'm too untrusting of a lot of things. I don't even like placing orders over the internet from my computer, though sometimes there's no choice.

That make two of us. Nothing on my phone related to finance.

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

Here is another issue I mentioned before. Would not have this problem if the Stupid SmartPhones were never invented,

-Don- Auburn, CA

Another reason not to drive an EV. Why can't the charging stations just have a credit card slot like gas pumps?

 

[DonTom]

Last year the laundry in Colter Bay needed you to use a card i think. None of them were working so the guy at the desk had to do some jiggery pokery to get them going. Sigh.

I do not recll seeing any that accpts CCs, but if they all went to CCs, I would be a happy RV Camper.

That make two of us. Nothing on my phone related to finance.

I am not that chicken.

I have many accounts with money in them on my Stupid SmartPhone, including Dadson Pay and I could not even guess close to the amount. But IAC, it will not be all that much, paraphs 20 to 40 bucks or so for next time. OTOH, I could probably get ripped off and most likely I would not notice. But what I do not know will not hurt me.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[NY_Dutch]

Here is another issue I mentioned before. Would not have this problem if the Stupid SmartPhones were never invented,

-Don- Auburn, CA

And again, if EV's hadn't been invented, you wouldn't have the issue. Most ICE refueling stations take cash or credit cards. Where do we draw the line?

 

[oldwildman]

The one that annoys me the most is parking. The meters don't take quarters anymore. And every town seems to use a different app. So, you roll in to park for dinner. Then you have to spend the time to scan the code, enter all your info in the app, then pay. It's convenient in our home city because you can feed the meter in the rain without leaving the dry car just by entering the zone number. But visiting other towns for short visits? Major pain!

 

[bigbAZ]

Occasionally I tend to leave my wallet at home and end up somewhere that I need to spend money. Those times my phone has come to the rescue.

I also stream most of my music these days, with my phone.

I use Bluetooth OBD adapters and my cell to monitor engine control systems and emissions systems, and to check and clear codes.

I email myself reminders and shopping lists.

I use my phone to level my rig.

I use it to monitor my cameras and alarm systems.

I use it for navigation.

I use it for the calendar, calculator and timer/stopwatch.

I use it for the weather and the time.

I use it to read Kindle books when I am stuck in the waiting room.

I use it for a camera.

I use it to deposit checks and send money.

I use it to monitor and control all my Victron equipment, my 12 volt cooler, my pellet smoker and my drone.

I use it to enter and track fuel use.

I use it to Google stuff all the time.

One of the features I love is Android Auto, I don't have to do anything but start the engine and it's all right there on the touchscreen, and my music starts playing right where it left off.

So I might have this Nomophobia you speak of. I am not giving it up.