Old man stuck in his ways vent

[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

[Seven]

Speaking as a younger person (Just celebrated my 30th birthday a few months ago):

I hate the fact we practically have nothing physical or tangible anymore. Tickets have gone by the wayside, I used to love saving stubs of games I went to as a kid. As someone that is firmly up to date with everything modern, life just seems so much more complicated. Everyone can be reached, anytime 24/7, 365. Which is ridiculous in my opinion. It has erased any sort of work/life balance there once was.

We are too reliant on technology as a society. I swear I'm sure 90% of the population would lose their minds if the internet went out for more than a couple of hours.

[butchie_t]

My other hobby is Ham Radio.... and it is interesting to me the comment similarities that I am hearing here.

I tend to live on the edge of technology. Sometime the leading edge, sometimes the back edge. I echo a number of things here and lament how sports events have given way to electronics transactions. Thing is, as has also been mentioned here, is the cost.

Now, for me, it is cheaper to watch what I can on streaming services verses going to an event live. I am the common fan and the prices to events is beyond my reason to pay for. I cannot support it nor will I pay for it. It makes absolutely no sense to me to pay a stupid price just to park and I'm not even inside the event yet.

I am a geek and have all the latest and greatest tech toys only because I have to keep abreast of things due to my current work. But if I had the option, I would not have as much as I do have now. I find myself having to register for this and sign up for that way more than I feel comfortable doing.

But if this is the only way I can get access to what I want/need, I suck it up and do what I need to do get what I want. I hate the information that I have to put on these sites just to get the access but I do it anyway.

It sucks....Period.

Butch

[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.

[ALBB]

yes,
Glad it went well, I have some older family that has issues with new tech..and its tough

[Beercan collector]

58 so I guess I’m an old man
No one hates talking on the phone more than me .
Oh but I’m glad to have a cell phone - I can take photos of crazy stuff I see on the farm - And if I get hurt it’s easier to crawl to the four wheeler call for help then it is the crawl to the house a mile away.

[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 ...

[BioCRN]

I'm in my late 40s, but I do have one "you kids get the hell off my lawn" phone trait...if you text me and I need to text you back more than a few words, get ready for a phone call. I know much older people with much bigger texting tolerance and even preference.

MLB app on a smartphone + unlimited 5g = games anywhere there's a signal, live. I'm in for that aspect aside from phone calls as a reason to have a smart phone.

Directions/maps on demand with specific needs (restaurants/gas/etc) is magical when you're in an unfamiliar area.

I can survive well without any of this, but the price is reasonable for the value added to my life.

[IndyDave]

The Thursday Tigers Guardians game is at 1:10 pm

You said Thursday night. Not sure if you know that it’s an afternoon game. Not really sure you can do the National and the game on Thursday

[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.

[Steve D]

I had the same thing happen to me last year. I'm a 61 year old disabled veteran.

I tried to buy a ticket to see the Padres play in Houston, and found out they no longer email printable tickets to you; it's all electronic.

I, like you, do not own a smart phone. In fact, I have only an old-fashioned land line. I have no family or friends who I need to be in constant contact with, and I refuse to have my life ruled by a telephone, especially when having one means your every move can be tracked for nefarious purposes.

So, MLB has determined that they don't want me, or people like me, to give them my money, so to Hell with them!