re: What was it like growing up without a smartphone?

You had to make plans to see friends. I mean DETAILED plans!

“Hey, where are yall going?”
“Probably the mall”
“When?”
“I told Cheryl we’d meet her there around 3:00 by the Orange Julius”
“Yeah, but she’s always late”
“I know right? So I told her if she doesn’t get there by 3:30, we’re going to be at Space Port, or maybe at Spencer’s.”
“If we miss each other, tell her to call the pay phone at Space Port and ask someone if they’ve seen us. We can tell someone there where we’re going.”
“Is your mom driving us?”
“No my sister’s boyfriend is bringing us in his Trans Am!”
“frickin’ A!”
“When’s he picking you up?”
“I don’t know. I’m hanging out until he gets here.”
“I’ll come to your house on my bike, so don’t leave until I get there, okay?”
“Okay, but I can’t make him wait for you, ya’ know what I mean? Because he’s got that job as Assistant Manager at Shakey’s Pizza, and he can’t be waiting on us.”
“Aw man, you got to stall him somehow! I’ll cut through the woods on my bike! I can be there in like 20 minutes!”
“Okay, but if you miss us, you can go you your grandma’s house on Green Street and ask her to bring you.”
“Yeah, she’d bring me, but not until after Oprah, so I’ll miss you and Cheryl at the Orange Julius.”
“Well look, if that happens, just go to Space Port and we’ll find you there.”
“Yeah okay, but try to wait for me. I’m leaving now.”
“Okay hurry, and bring your quarters!”