Old people & technology just don't mix (881 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 0.64 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Pragmatic <admin.at.ihug.co.nz> (View user info) at 2006-01-29 21:29:19 EST
Due to various circumstances, I live with my Grandfather. He's 76, and not quite up with the play sometimes. He's a great guy, very active and fit, still goes tramping, biking, he delivers meals on wheels, he's always involved with some community project or church fundraiser. But he doesn't understand anything about technology, as many of his generation don't.
He has a mobile phone- my grandmother is in a home, suffering from severe Alzheimers, so he needs to be contactable. So when he leaves the house, he turns it on, clips it onto his belt (holding up the nicely ironed khaki shorts, that go nicely with the socks pulled up to the knees and roman sandals) and off he goes. Only problem is, he doesn't have a clue how to use it. He can turn it on, and that's all. Numerous attempts have been made to teach him how to send text messages, or even read text messages, but to no avail. It is understandable; he's from a different generation who didn't have this type of technology.
But his lack of logic sometimes is totally confusing. He was out one day and had promised to pick up a friend from the airport. I was at home recovering from laser eye surgery when the phone rang. They had taken an earlier flight and needed to tell him. I gave them his mobile number. It turns out that Granddad had left his mobile in the car, so a message was left for him. They rung me and told that they would get a taxi into town instead. Grandad arrived home and tells me that his phone was beeping. I showed him that he had a voicemail. I rung the voicemail for him- turns out he doesn't know his own pin number, so I can't check the message. He turns off the phone and sits down with his cup of tea. Then he starts fretting about his friends and how would they go getting a taxi and maybe he should go pick them up. He turns his phone back on and half an hour previously, he'd missed another call. Once again we can't check the messages so he decides to drive out to the airport to find them.
10 minutes later a taxi pulls up at our house, passengers intact. An hour later Granddad returns- I couldn't contact him to tell him to come back home as he didn't know how to answer the phone!
I have since shown him the green button answers a call.
When I first moved in, I installed my computer in the lounge so that it has easy access to the TV and stereo. He watched the proceedings with interest, asking me what did that thing do or why that cord went there. I answered all his questions patiently; assuring him I could teach him how to use email so he can keep in touch with various family members that live overseas. I told him that when I used the internet, he wouldn't be able to use the phone- I only have dial-up. He was confused but that was ok, he mostly is confused by me.
A few days later, Granddad is watching TV and I decide to check my email. I tell him I'm going to use the internet for a while. He immediately gets up and switches off the TV. I asked him why he'd done that, wasn't he watching that programme?
He assured me it was ok and that he doesn't mind turning off the TV every time I used the Internet. Somewhere along the line he just got a little confused. It's kinda cute really. I have no idea how he reached the conclusion that to use the internet the TV would have to be off, but my technology- savvy family all had a good laugh at his expense.
User Reviews
Submitted by pragmatic (user info) at 2006-01-30 14:49:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I usually use my work computer so I don't need a jetstream connection at home. And in NZ, pretty much only Telecom has decent braodband connections and I won't use them just out of principle. But thanks to all the people who actually rated this using their brain and didn't just -2 it because they are no talent hacks who get cheap thrills out of blasting other people's writing.
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2006-01-30 10:40:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
2Mb plans starting from just $29.95 a month?
That's awesome.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-01-30 05:48:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-01-30 05:40:00 (#)
Ranking: 0
It's true; when I chucked a toaster into my Grandfather's bath, the results were most unpleaseant.
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Another case of bertification.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-01-30 05:40:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
It's true; when I chucked a toaster into my Grandfather's bath, the results were most unpleaseant.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-01-30 03:42:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I rung the voicemail for him- turns out he doesn't know his own pin number.
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This is one of the things that pisses me off. What does the 'n' stand for in PIN?
Right - so read that sentence back if you substitute the words back into the acroynm. Do you see how retarded that sentence is?
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2006-01-30 02:14:16 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
"I installed my computer in the lounge so that it has easy access to the TV and stereo."
I am tipping that your computer has little need to access the TV and stereo.
And YOU post about your kindly grandfather being confused.
A bit cheeky of you, don't you think?
You really need to apologise to him for being so disrespectful.
What a fucking dick.
Submitted by Blinkish (user info) at 2006-01-30 01:05:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by wijormiclat (user info) at 2006-01-29 23:13:26 (#)
Ranking: 2
Their skin also falls off if you pull hard enough.
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BAhahahahahahahahaaaahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhahahahaaa
Seriously though, it's way better than him trying to figure it out by trial and error on your shit.
Submitted by crazyaardvark (user info) at 2006-01-30 00:53:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I sell mobile phones and if someone over 70 can make and answer calls on their phone without trouble, it blows me away.
It's just too different for them. They have absolutely no frame of reference. They expect one button to do the same thing all the time and can't grasp concepts like icons, menus, voicemail and text messages. I mean, it's ok when you're 70 plus, but my mum is 55 and she still can't use her phone. The problem is, they are often too afraid to try.
Submitted by wijormiclat (user info) at 2006-01-29 23:13:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Their skin also falls off if you pull hard enough.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-01-29 22:41:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by MandaPanda (user info) at 2006-01-29 22:15:31 (#)
Ranking: 2
This was a good first post. I like cute old people.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-01-29 22:29:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
This did make me smile. My dad is seventy and is the biggest techno-idiot around. He cannot hook up anything. He also has a hard time using his cell phone.
God bless them though. They came from a different time.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-01-29 22:27:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
My mom is worse.
Submitted by MandaPanda (user info) at 2006-01-29 22:15:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This was a good first post. I like cute old people.
Submitted by joedaddy (user info) at 2006-01-29 21:58:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
mine wouldn't flush the toilet for weeks
Submitted by GuinnessSince1759 (user info) at 2006-01-29 21:54:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I like you. This is a really good first post. Also I am in an interesting mood right now so...you get a +2. I hope he can learn a few new things about technology. Oh and for the love of god get something better than dial-up. If I ever went back I probably would have a heart attack.
Submitted by pragmatic (user info) at 2006-01-29 21:42:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I respect him heaps, he's a wonderful guy, we get on really well, I just think it's hilarious.
Submitted by PokeyPecker (user info) at 2006-01-29 21:36:17 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
So the old man is 76. Your dad is prolly in his 40's. You're probably in your 20's.
Wow. An old man confused by the modern world. Now THAT'S something that's NEVER happened before.
Just remember he's earned a hell of a lot more respect than you have, sonny boy.