Another cell-phone induced extinction?

[Wilson Deaton]

So landlines aren't actually extinct but we are moving in that direction....

I've also noticed a related phenomonon. A LARGE number of people, especially those in the age group of my twenty-something children, use their cell-phones instead of the doorbell!

For example, we had a gal stopping by here to pick up a church key. Robin's phone just rang. My first thought was that the gal was calling to say she had been delayed. Instead, it was her calling to say she was "out front." So Robin met her at the front door.

Also, I can't count the number of times my son has come out of his room to meet one of his friends at our door with the doorbell never ringing (nor any knock).

If I owned stock in the doorbell industry, I'd sell.

Wilson

[Jim Chabot]

Color me in as a conspirator. I generally call as I'm pulling up.

[Jim Hullinger]

Here in New York many non-doorman buildings have the intercom system now configured so that when you arrive at a building you press the intercom/apartment number of the guest you want to see, it rings on their cell phone and they in turn "buzz you in." It's particularly convenient if the guest is not home but yet wants to allow you into the apartment. For instance, I frequently drop off a package to a neighbor who lives in the building down the street. She works in Brooklyn but when I arrive at her apartment and press her intercom number it rings on her cell phone, she speaks to me on the intercom via her cell phone, buzzes me in and I drop off the package (maybe even walk her dog) and leave with her knowledge and the means of letting me in from where she works many miles removed. And it works the same way even if she is at home (though I may not necessarily walk the dog).

[Susan Unger]

I have been known to do this on occasion, wilson. It's often just easier.

[John Kennedy]

A couple of years ago I decided that the constant presence of my cell phone made a watch superfluous. Most of the time, that has worked well.

While we're on the subject of cell phones, I noticed an interesting thing this summer. My cell has a habit of receiving voice mails and taking them along to the beach for a few days. I probably should check it more often. I have been known to get a signal alerting me to a message that came in several days before.

However, this summer it has been bright eyed and bushy tailed about signalling when there's a flash flood alert. Even though I've had the same carrier (Verizon Wireless) for years, I've only been getting these alerts for about the past 4-6 weeks. Go figure.

[Ryan Scott]

Well, you're already behind, Wilson. Who uses their cell phone to CALL anyone anymore.

A lady came last night just before 10pm to pick up a computer desk we sold her on Craig's List. I asked her to text when she was outside so the doorbell wouldn't wake any sleeping persons upstairs.

[Gina Stevenson]

A couple of years ago I decided that the constant presence of my cell phone made a watch superfluous. Most of the time, that has worked well.

Yes, same here, sort of by default ... just never replaced the battery when it ran down, tho' haven't quite been able to get rid of my cute Snoopy watch Danny got me years before I ever had a cell phone w/a clock.

[Jerry Richards]

We use a cell phone on our church van on Sunday's. We call ahead and tell the kids we are pulling up at their house and then our "rider" goes to the door to escort them to the van.

[Craig Laughlin]

My teenage son has friends stop by all the time. Can't remember the last time they rang the doorbell. He just pops to the door and there they are... Sadly, at this point if the doorbell rings at an unexpected time it is always someone trying to sell me something. (Neighborhood kids doing fundraisers are welcome, security systems salesmen who "just happen" to be in the neighborhood not so much)