Old man stuck in his ways vent

[GaryPassamonte]

Originally Posted by cubman1941

Gary,

I sure can relate to you. I tell people I am the only person in the world without a cell phone of any kind. I understand the use of them and why people who work need them in todays world but I have been retired since 1996 and have no use for them. Fortunately the last game I went to, my son-in-law set it all up. Interesting, we went to breakfast at a local place, sat outside and had to use the phone to access the menu. I ran into this one other time when my wife and I were traveling and went to get something to eat in the airport. Since we didn't have her cell phone with us, after about 10 minutes we just left and went to a fast food place. Anyway, we dinosaurs are being left in the dust and our money with us.

Jim

What bothers me most about the whole experience is what it reveals. I choose not to have a smart phone, just as you choose not to have a cell phone. I'm sure there are many people that can't afford a smart phone. Also, there are many people that don't have a bank account and don't have a debit card or a credit card. Are these people excluded from access to a game and/or excluded from buying a hot dog and pop at a game because they are poor. This is wrong.

[jayshum]

The stadiums I have been to that are cashless had machines that you could put cash in to put onto a debit card for use at the stadium kind of like a reverse ATM. I haven't had to deal with trying to use paper tickets so can't comment on that.

[GasHouseGang]

I guess what this also means is there won't be any new tickets to collect for the ticket collector crowd out there.

[Jewish-collector]

I completely agree. We can commiserate about it tomorrow night at the dinner. beer chug.gifbeer chug.gifbeer chug.gif

[NiceDocter]

This is a version of me , my beeper, my flip phone, my landline at home, and my fax machine. Basically took a few steps into technology but stalled out 10-20-30 years ago. The world is changing. Your choice is suck it up and move ahead a bit or get left in the dust POed for the rest of your life (and it will only get worse). I will never be at the forefront of these advancements but as the telecommunications companies and others gradually stop supporting the old systems, they won’t even be a viable option at all soon. I guess this is what our parents and grandparents went through with cars vs horses, television vs radio shows, no more ice man, milk man, laundry man, …… as the Chinese Curse goes “May you live in interesting times!!” I feel your pain my friend.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have no choice because of work, but if I had one, I could see not having the latest tech. I hate the effect it has on younger people who seem to look at their devices half their waking lives, or more.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I have no choice because of work, but if I had one, I could see not having the latest tech. I hate the effect it has on younger people who seem to look at their devices half their waking lives, or more.

And most of their walking lives too...it definitely can be a navigational challenge when encountering one of the headdowners on the sidewalk.

Brian

[paul]

I sympathize with Gary. But you should know, it could be much worse. I recently visited China, and they are completely cashless. You have to buy EVERYTHING (groceries, restaurant meals, bus tickets, cabs), with a special app on a smart phone. To make matters worse, you can only download the app if you have a local Chinese smart phone. And you must link the app to a Chinese bank account. This obviously works out real great for tourists. As far as I can tell, there are only two work-arounds for tourists. You can either travel with a tour group where the tour company pays for everything, or you borrow the phone of a local (and figure out a way to reimburse them).

[z28jd]

My dad stopped going to the local minor league team games because the stadium went cashless. He didn't want the hassle, plus the stadium started adding on fees for using cards, even though you have no other option.

I stopped going to games due to the cost. Some of these teams are out here charging more for parking than decent tickets should cost. MLB is already a huge money grab, they shouldn't be making it inconvenient to take our money. One day they are going to price themselves out of the range of the average fan. My brother makes good money and he's down to one game per year over the last two years, after doing between 10-20 each year for around ten years. He said he will go if his team makes the playoffs.

[bmattioli]

Guys, It's 2024 not 1974.. Update and enjoy,,

[SyrNy1960]

I will be 65 soon, so I do understand your frustration. Technology changes daily and it’s difficult to keep up with it as we get older. But I enjoy having an iPhone. Can take pictures, FaceTime with the grandkids, access the internet, on and on. I’m actually typing this using my iPhone on the couch, while watching the Yankees and Mets game. I had to have an iPhone in my job in the Navy, so I have been using it for a while. But I do get your point.

[drcy]

Old Man Stuck in a Vent: Story at 11

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by drcy

Old Man Stuck in a Vent: Story at 11

I have been stuck in that vent for years, with no news crew in view.


Brian

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Originally Posted by bmattioli

Guys, It's 2024 not 1974.. Update and enjoy,,

This. I hope no matter how old I get I'm open to new technologies and can change with the times. Hoping my kids are patient enough with me to get me set up for the metaverse, AI powered x ray vision or whatever else I'm having to deal with in the year 2050

[GaryPassamonte]

I got back from the National late this morning and am reading this thread. There are so many great posts that better illustrate my thoughts. I realize that times do change and we all need to adapt, but it's not just the smart phones that are the issue, but the fact that a way of life is passing away. I'm sure my father felt the same way, as did his father. However, no matter how much we are told that people like change, my life experience tells me that most do not. In addition just because technology can make processes more efficient and expansive does not mean that the ultimate result is positive on mankind.
Before I forget, I did get actual tickets just like I used to get years ago. When my wife and I got to our seats, a couple women sitting behind us noticed the tickets and lamented about once collecting tickets and now not being able to do so. I gave them one of our tickets to take home. The ticket provided a tangible memory of the game and day for them. I figured it was my good deed for the day. I could go on, but I have to take all those paper receipts I got at the cashless concessions stands and enter then in my checkbook to make sure everything balances to the penny. For those that don't understand this task, it's something old people do to make sure they know how much money they have.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

I got back from the National late this morning and am reading this thread. There are so many great posts that better illustrate my thoughts. I realize that times do change and we all need to adapt, but it's not just the smart phones that are the issue, but the fact that a way of life is passing away. I'm sure my father felt the same way, as did his father. However, no matter how much we are told that people like change, my life experience tells me that most do not. In addition just because technology can make processes more efficient and expansive does not mean that the ultimate result is positive on mankind.
Before I forget, I did get actual tickets just like I used to get years ago. When my wife and I got to our seats, a couple women sitting behind us noticed the tickets and lamented about once collecting tickets and now not being able to do so. I gave them one of our tickets to take home. The ticket provided a tangible memory of the game and day for them. I figured it was my good deed for the day. I could go on, but I have to take all those paper receipts I got at the cashless concessions stands and enter then in my checkbook to make sure everything balances to the penny. For those that don't understand this task, it's something old people do to make sure they know how much money they have.

Well said Gary, I would posit a technology that doesn't allow a veteran to attend a game, or deny a child a tactile remembrance of his first game is not very good technology at all.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

This. I hope no matter how old I get I'm open to new technologies and can change with the times. Hoping my kids are patient enough with me to get me set up for the metaverse, AI powered x ray vision or whatever else I'm having to deal with in the year 2050

As long as we can pick and choose which technologies we want to incorporate into our personal lives. I love the internet, ebay, online bidding with auction houses, email, paypal, and etc.

My cell phone gives me only what I want - phone service, internet connection, texting, built in camera, music player, picture and file storage. If I take a picture of a restaurant menu barcode, all I get is a picture of a barcode. My phone is not listening to me, waiting for verbal commands. I don't want my phone to be "smart."

It's nice to be able to access my health records and banking and mortgage information online. But in the past few years, I've been notified, two separate times, that a company servicing my mortgages was hacked, and my personal info stolen. So, I have Lifelock/Norton for some security. My email and 3 of my old, obsolete passwords are out on the dark web.

Overall I think tech advances are a very good thing, but rather than just getting caught up in the tidal wave, I think the key is to manage one's tech involvement and exposure in a way that is comfortable.

I don't have a gps system in my car - I use maps and directions. I do not talk to my car and it does not talk back to me, besides various beeps for doors ajar. I can't imagine bringing a listening device like Alexa into my home, or for that matter, anything voice activated, except maybe an external ring security doorbell system. I don't do facebook, twitter (X), instagram, tic toc, because I don't want comments of a personal nature preserved forever.

I post here because I don't see any downside and it's interesting and fun.

[LEHR]

Gary,

Glad to here you were able to make the game and everything worked out for you.

[LEHR]

Originally Posted by z28jd

My dad stopped going to the local minor league team games because the stadium went cashless. He didn't want the hassle, plus the stadium started adding on fees for using cards, even though you have no other option.

I think that's pretty common now. I go to a lot of Salt Lake Bee's games (Angels AAA affiliate) and they have been cashless for a few years. There are no added fee's though that I'm aware of.

[parkplace33]

While I can see your side, I would encourage you to not be dismissive of new things. I just don’t want you missing out on experiences.

[tiger8mush]

I feel ya Gary!
I'm slightly younger (will be 46 next month) and have never owned a mobile phone of any kind, though my wife and teenage kids all have iphones.
When I go somewhere alone (concert or sporting event or DMV etc) I have to plan ahead accordingly, just like you.
It started as a joke back in the day when friends/co-workers would tell me I HAVE to get a phone. Getting married? HAVE to get a phone! Having kids, GOTTA get a phone!
Maybe one day ...

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

While I can see your side, I would encourage you to not be dismissive of new things. I just don’t want you missing out on experiences.

I always loved the printed tickets as a memento of going to a game, that's not even an option now. Still have the oversized tickets from the SF Giants 3 world series titles.

And for gosh sakes, cant I just give you $8 cash for that hot dog while I am there?

I understand a cashless society avoids petty theft from an employee but it would be nice to at least have the option.

Maybe we'll be reduced to the local little league games if we want to pay cash.

[G1911]

One may and should live however they like, but if one does choose to live many years behind the times, they really should not expect the outside world to cater to their way of living. If one will not use modern technology, that's a fine choice to make, but the resulting difficulties are not anyone else's fault or problem. One cannot reasonably expect the rest of the world to not progress with newer tools. The poor guy getting paid $20 an hour to check tickets doesn't need to get a lecture about this:

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

By the way doesn't our paper money say that it is good for all debts public and private. Maybe I'll bring that up tomorrow IF I get into the game.

[samosa4u]

I'm 40 and I don't have a phone. If I really need the phone, then I just borrow my father's! He is the same age as the OP, but he always wants the newest things so he can look cool! We are the same shoe size (10.5 - 11) and sometimes he wears my Air Jordans!

Anyways, my old friend up in Newfoundland was going on a trip and stopped by Toronto for a few days. He reached out and asked if I wanted to see Jays vs. Yankees game and I was like HELL YEAH! The last time I saw them was when they had Jeter and ARod! Plus, I really wanted to see Aaron Judge and Juan Soto!

So I ordered the tickets through Ticketmaster and in the past I usually got an email where I could just print them. However, this time they made it clear that I could no longer do that and needed to use a phone. I did not need to download any app, but I did have to log-in to my Ticketmaster account through the phone so I could scan the tickets at the entrance. So yeah, you do need an Internet connection on your phone, unless you can use Wi-Fi there or something ... dunno ...

[Mungo Hungo]

Originally Posted by G1911

One may and should live however they like, but if one does choose to live many years behind the times, they really should not expect the outside world to cater to their way of living. If one will not use modern technology, that's a fine choice to make, but the resulting difficulties are not anyone else's fault or problem. One cannot reasonably expect the rest of the world to not progress with newer tools. The poor guy getting paid $20 an hour to check tickets doesn't need to get a lecture about this:

Well said. I'm struck that the OP is so so frustrated with being inconvenienced by the modern world, but at the same time steadfastly refuses to consider getting the very gadget that would alleviate his frustration. With all of the frustrations that arise out of things we can't control, it seems odd to me to purposely add one (or many) arising out of something we CAN control.

[bnorth]

You are not alone. I am going to The Strongest Man on Earth strongman contest next month. The only way to buy tickets is BLEEPING e-tickets. You have to use the AXS app and it doesn't display a bar code. It is some stupid thing that changes every 30 seconds. Should be awesome fun on my cheap POS Tracfone when I enter the event.

Then even better I am staying at the Hilton across the street from the venue. You pay for self parking by scanning some BLEEPING QR code thing in the parking lot.