Phone Peeves

Phillip reminded me today that I appeared in the Malaysian Straits Times 4 years ago (not once but twice) under the caption: "Lawyer says SMS is highly addictive".

This ambaressing incident happened because I was conned into being interviewed for an article on speed sms-ing for a free cup of Starbucks coffee. I was a penniless chambering student and will do anything for anything free. So there I was being photographed fiddling with a mobile phone with thumbs up and having the journalist put words in my mouth. The coffee didn't even taste that good.

But I want to set the record straight, sms is NOT addictive - for me. In fact, its is tiresome and a finger sore especially since all the newer models of mobile phone these days are made thinner than paper and absolutely crap for typing.

Recently, I have developed a very distant relationship with my Sony Ericsson. I resent carrying it around, being contactable, answering calls, replying sms - especially during mealtimes, sleeptime, driving, office hours, at the gym, on the rocks, on the masseur's table, reading, tanning, stoning, watching korean drama series etc. etc. etc.

Which is why I am rarely contactable by phone these days. Its presence is never registered in my subconscious even though it is physically in front of my nose. It will be ringing off the hook but I just couldn't hear it. Maybe I have developed selective hearing.

Too many people have complained that I have horrible phone etiquette when I don't respond to their calls in a timely manner. But what I deem is truly bad phone etiquette, is when people are attached to their mobiles 24/7. Especially when they are out with you. People who pick up calls during dates should be shot. If you rather talk on the phone while being with someone, what does it say about the person standing in front of you?

I never used to be like that. Back in university, my whole life depends on that little piece of brick (they were heavy back then) which I lug around and check every 3 seconds. This brick controls my entire social life, love life, study schedules and even meal times. I use my mobile to make dates, cancel dates, flirt and have it pasted on my forehead waiting for calls. It was THE validation of my existence. If it doesn't ring, my life doesn't exist.

But just a few years before that, mobile phones did not even exist!

I am thrilled to announce that I actually lived in an entire era without them before. Back in college when mobile phones just came out and it costs a thousand bucks a pop, my penniless mates and I go about our business FINE without them. Life is good then because everybody keeps to their appointment. People ask you out on a date face-to-face and cancellations are rare because it is just too difficult to especially if your date has already left the house.

I remember Phillip is the only person in the group who has a mobile phone then. It was the size of a waterbottle and weigh a ton. We all 'tumpang' his phone to make calls and he gets calls asking for us all the time. He was popular then.

Because of the phone.

*snicker*

I suggest if you can't get me on my mobile or have your sms unreplied for more than 48hrs, please send me an email marked "High Importance" and I will get back you soonest possible - I hear my email reminders very loud and clear - DING DONG!

"A telephone survey says that 51 percent of college student drink until they pass out at least once a month. The other 49% didn't pick up the phone"