I always called my dad from my landline, but one time my car broke down on the way to his place so I called with my flip phone. His roommate answered completely defensive about giving me a straight answer. “Who are you!?” “I’m his son!” (They had my landline approved on their caller I.D., but not my cell.) They both were great about living beyond their means, which is why I’m usually so careful about not buying on credit.
Now I use a smartphone as my primary phone, and I’ve successfully figured out how to silence it. The only time I noticed it ringing was when I was listening to audio, and I heard a gap of silence for a second.
You have no idea. Our kids’ rooms are about ten meters away from the kitchen…yet we need ‘WhatsApp’ to tell them when it’s time for dinner, because otherwise they would not notice it. Modern times. And YouTube of course.
Heck with kids, I have a friend my age who is impossible to get in contact with. Doesn’t answer phone, messages or texts. He calls when he feels like it.
I have a moderate hearing loss, so the sound quality of a smart phone is very important to me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem important to most smartphone manufacturers. It’s nice that the phone in my pocket takes great pictures and/or video. But—-OK, I’m old—-but my phone is for communication. If I can’t hear what’s being said, it’s useless.
I created a silent ringtone as about the only time I ever used Garageband back in the early days… I assign custom ringtones to those I might want to talk to… I tell others to text if they want to call me…
Family and friends each have their own ringtone. If anyone else calls, I look at my phone, and if I don’t recognize the number, I don’t answer. They can leave a message.
My cellphone is my secondary phone. Only grab it when I leave the house in case of emergency. Only four numbers in my “contact list”. If anyone else calls, I don’t answer, because 9 times out of 10 on that phone, it’s a spammer. If someone wants to talk, they need to call my primary number, the internet based HOME phone.
It’s the old Circular Reference trick. Expect an Excel Police knock on the door very soon. They get so upset over them, their revenge is to never tell you where they are.
I had a bill collector calling several times a day. “Until you pay this off, the calls will continue.” I replied, “Not if I can’t pay the phone bill by Friday.” She backed off and only called about weekly. I managed to get her paid off a few weeks later.
I have always been great at avoiding bill collectors. Want to know my secret? I guarantee you it will work for everyone. I paid my bills and I paid them on time! Never heard from a bill collector in my life!
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
The kids will just give the bill collectors your number.
ronaldspence over 2 years ago
the ole mobile phone run around…but your call is very important to us, please stay on the line and we will answer in the order received!
BasilBruce over 2 years ago
Looks like Thomas caught something from his dad, who was once a lawyer but got over it.
eromlig over 2 years ago
He may be on to something. He reads bass clef, after all. (Or is that the other guy?)
Concretionist over 2 years ago
Kids. You can’t live with ‘em and they can’t live without you.
Bullet Bronson Premium Member over 2 years ago
That sounds like a Catch-22.
Cornelius Noodleman over 2 years ago
My brother would be a good debt collector.
Walter Kocker over 2 years ago
I’m sorry. I’m of the “Kill a Robocaller for Jesus” ilk.
B UTTONS over 2 years ago
Thomas’ spam filter wasn’t working for a while.
iggyman over 2 years ago
Great for spammers too!
momofalex7 over 2 years ago
Go ahead. Call and text. He won’t answer either of them.
Doug K over 2 years ago
“It’s been sure nice talking to you, dad.” … And as he hung up the phone, it occurred to him, his son had grown up just like him.
James Wolfenstein over 2 years ago
“Will be…” :D
Ermine Notyours over 2 years ago
I always called my dad from my landline, but one time my car broke down on the way to his place so I called with my flip phone. His roommate answered completely defensive about giving me a straight answer. “Who are you!?” “I’m his son!” (They had my landline approved on their caller I.D., but not my cell.) They both were great about living beyond their means, which is why I’m usually so careful about not buying on credit.
Now I use a smartphone as my primary phone, and I’ve successfully figured out how to silence it. The only time I noticed it ringing was when I was listening to audio, and I heard a gap of silence for a second.
AndreasMartin over 2 years ago
You have no idea. Our kids’ rooms are about ten meters away from the kitchen…yet we need ‘WhatsApp’ to tell them when it’s time for dinner, because otherwise they would not notice it. Modern times. And YouTube of course.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 2 years ago
Heck with kids, I have a friend my age who is impossible to get in contact with. Doesn’t answer phone, messages or texts. He calls when he feels like it.
Ellis97 over 2 years ago
I have this gut instinct to always answer the call when my mother calls. Plus, there’s no decline option when she does.
HOTLOTUS1 over 2 years ago
press 4 to return to the main menu
Rexlibris.rutgers over 2 years ago
I totally respect Stephen. Went through that with my son
Lee26 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Cat’s in the Cradle syndrome?
diskus Premium Member over 2 years ago
How long before phones dont come with a talk feature?
Zebrastripes over 2 years ago
How can anyone ignore the alerts given on the cell?
“Curiosity killed the cat” way of thinking….
stringer831 over 2 years ago
I have a moderate hearing loss, so the sound quality of a smart phone is very important to me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem important to most smartphone manufacturers. It’s nice that the phone in my pocket takes great pictures and/or video. But—-OK, I’m old—-but my phone is for communication. If I can’t hear what’s being said, it’s useless.
DannyDonkeyHatesPeople over 2 years ago
Stephan should bring farina back but during covid.
wongo over 2 years ago
Cancel Thomases phone account and problem solved!
Bill LaRocque Premium Member over 2 years ago
Ding!
Goat from PBS over 2 years ago
It’s an endless loop! Break it by sending an e-mail!
garysmigs over 2 years ago
I created a silent ringtone as about the only time I ever used Garageband back in the early days… I assign custom ringtones to those I might want to talk to… I tell others to text if they want to call me…
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 2 years ago
That’s just sad
Sue G over 2 years ago
Family and friends each have their own ringtone. If anyone else calls, I look at my phone, and if I don’t recognize the number, I don’t answer. They can leave a message.
kaycstamper over 2 years ago
Sounds like my daughter only she never answers!
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
JOKE/PUN
Somebody’s cell phone goes off and the ringtone music is Beethoven.
Somebody asks t he phone owner what the title is and he says—“it’s FUR ELISE”.
And the other guy says—“If it’s for Elise,why doesn’t SHE answer the phone?”
Albert Sims Premium Member over 2 years ago
My cellphone is my secondary phone. Only grab it when I leave the house in case of emergency. Only four numbers in my “contact list”. If anyone else calls, I don’t answer, because 9 times out of 10 on that phone, it’s a spammer. If someone wants to talk, they need to call my primary number, the internet based HOME phone.
zeexenon over 2 years ago
It’s the old Circular Reference trick. Expect an Excel Police knock on the door very soon. They get so upset over them, their revenge is to never tell you where they are.
JLChi over 2 years ago
The only time I ever answer my phone is when someone I want to talk to emails me to let me know they are going to call.
mfrasca over 2 years ago
Our sons will only answer a Discord post, so we have a family server.
unfair.de over 2 years ago
How do you call people that have a big bill collection?
RWill over 2 years ago
“Anyway, I’ve been trying to reach you about your extended warranty …”
gerlach5 over 2 years ago
Stephan’s middle name is Thomas
jbruins84341 over 2 years ago
I feel the same way with my son. Unless he needs something, I can never get him on the phone, and he never answers texts! Grrr!
Tentoes over 2 years ago
I had a bill collector calling several times a day. “Until you pay this off, the calls will continue.” I replied, “Not if I can’t pay the phone bill by Friday.” She backed off and only called about weekly. I managed to get her paid off a few weeks later.
F-Flash over 2 years ago
What’s ironic, is that the parents are probably paying their phone bill.
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 2 years ago
Pastis rarely mentions his kids in the strip. I see why.
Sisyphos over 2 years ago
Welcome, Thomas Cartoon-Boy-Boy, to the wonderful world of PBS….
Ditch the cellphone or ditch Dad?
Swirls Before Pine over 2 years ago
My phone has voice mail. It gives me a reason to not answer when it rings.
robert423elliott almost 2 years ago
I have always been great at avoiding bill collectors. Want to know my secret? I guarantee you it will work for everyone. I paid my bills and I paid them on time! Never heard from a bill collector in my life!