On December 23-26 my spouse, son and I spent time in Brooklyn, one of the boroughs of New York City. I have never lived in Brooklyn (I was born in Queens and grew up in The Bronx, two other boroughs), but my father was a native of Brooklyn and I still have some family there.
What I was doing in Brooklyn during Christmastime is a long story. I am debating whether to tell it now, or wait for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
For now, I am going to tease you with this picture taken at Coney Island. I took this picture on Christmas Eve. It's a picture of a dying breed.
The pay phone. Perhaps almost the last of a dying breed. Years ago, they were everywhere.
Now, they aren't. More often or not I'll find the housing but not the phone. These had phones. And, wonder of wonders: These actually worked.
I was unable to find out how many pay phones are left in Brooklyn, but I have to think "not too many".
Pay phones were a staple of my childhood, growing up in the 50's and 60's. In those days, we had phone booths where you could take refuge from the weather, and where Superman could change into his superhero clothes.
Now, so many of us have cell phones, I'm surprised there are any pay phones left at all.
When is the last time you used a pay phone? For me, it's so long ago I can't even remember.
Day 8 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.
Thank goodness for pay phone booths. If not for them we might never have had photo booths which now have been revived as a popular Kiosk in malls. Perhaps the pay phone booth has a future there as a cell charging station and while you wait get your picture taken. I last used a pay phone in 1968 in Aberdeen, Maryland during a blizzard trying to get directions to Army base where my husband was stationed. Ran out of nickles...stranded and freezing...thank goodness for a Maryland Highway Patrolman. Hadn't thought of that in ages...thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation about the photo booth. I so would have thought they would fade into the past, but...sometimes I just can't figure out what will fade away, and what won't. (LPs?) Photo booths as charging stations? Why not?
DeleteAs a child these was everywhere and I miss them when I am out and about and my Cell doesn't work. As for the A to Z Challenge I tried to locate information on it for this year as I wanted to join in but couldn't find anything on line. So to hear you mention it has me scratching my head wondering when it is.
ReplyDeleteOn Facebook, look for "Blogging for A to Z Challenge 2019". I believe signups start March 1 and the theme reveal is March 18 but don't quote me on that.
DeleteWe used to have phone BOOTHS, then they morphed into pay phone stations, and now they have become (should they exist at all) mobile phone zones.
ReplyDeleteAnd bathroom stalls are the new phone booth!
DeleteIt's a bit disconcerting to go into antique/vintage shops and see items that we commonly used for sale. I haven't seen a phone booth with a working phone in years. Remember always leaving home with a quarter so that in case of an emergency, you could use the pay phone?
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember..except (gulp) in my case, it was a dime!
DeleteI do see your view.
ReplyDeleteLast time I saw one for real, I had to take a pic with the kids in it because they have never used one nor would know how...
I think my son (who is in his late 20's) has seen a rotary phone maybe once or twice. Phone booth? Not sure. I'm sure he would have no clue as to how to dial a rotary phone. Come to think of it, would I remember?
DeleteIt's been a few years since I last used a pay phone and haven't seen any around, lately. Then again, I haven't been looking for one. ☺ I just saw your comment on Parul's blog re: Delurking Week. I'm so sorry you couldn't access the post! :( Wordfence is the security program that usually keeps out all the nasty spammers from China and Russia. I just saw it needed an update and I did that, so hopefully, it will be okay now. Do you have the time to try again? Thanks for the warning and apologies for the inconvenience.
ReplyDeleteNo apologies needed - as you know, I was able to finally get in. I can't complain because the Blogger platform I use makes it almost impossible for some to comment.
DeleteAh yes. Pay phones! I don't think I've seen one in years.
ReplyDeleteNeither have I, which is why I had to blog about it!
DeleteOMG I haven't seen one of those in years!! Sounds like you had a great visit.
ReplyDeleteWell....it was interesting. I definitely have shed all my big cityness. I was so overwhelmed at times!
DeleteThe last time I used a pay phone was probably when I was in high school, calling home to ask to be picked up. (It's such a weird idea that the last time you do something, many times you don't know it'll be the last time.)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, how many times do we know it's the last time?
DeleteNo phone booths??? That's terrible! How can Clark Kent turn into Superman??? Seriously though, the last time I used a pay phone was in the 1990s to let my piano teacher know that I had missed the bus and would arrive late.
ReplyDeleteConsidering I was a late adopter of cell phones (as was my spouse) I honestly can't remember the last time I used a cell phone.
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