I'm still needed by some folks. I have to have a phone. Goddamned thing probably costs me $10-$15/minute of use. I probably spend more time wiping gak off it than I do using it.
I had to upgrade my old flip-phone a few years ago so that it would work overseas on a business trip. The kid at Verizon tried to sell me a stupid smart phone. I said No, I want a flip-phone. He had only two of them -- in the back of the store. It calls, texts, and even takes pictures.
When I went to get my old new phone about 15 years ago the big black Verizon guy asked me, "Y'tex?"
I said "What?"
Verizon guy: "Y'tex?"
Me: "I have no idea what you're saying."
Verizon guy: "Do. You. Text?"
Me: "OK, I understood the words that time, but I still have no idea what you're asking me."
Happily, my daughter was with me. "Dad, he's asking if you want your phone to be able to send and receive text messages."
"I don't know. Do I?"
Daughter to the Verizon guy: "Yes, he wants text messaging."