Monday, January 12, 2009

¿Bueno?

This is how Mexicans answer the phone.  I have yet to perfect the tone/pitch when I answer it.  I think in the US, we answer the phone more as a question, but here it almost seems like a statement.
Cell phones are becoming more and more the only means of telephones; Mabel does not have a landline.  Cosette is forever stealing people's cell phones to play games on them.  She has no regard for any adult asking her not to.  She is a bit more polite with me and asks if I have games before I say no.  That ends that (and it's true!).  She takes Mabel's, Maricela's and Papá's.  When I returned from Christmas break, I noticed a new cell phone.  It's Cosette's!  Apparently her dad bought her one for Christmas and he is going to keep putting credit on it for her.  On Saturday, while she was with her grandparents and Mabel and I were at the Casino watching the Titans, she called at least 4 times.  I don't remember how much calls cost, but she was going through them!
When we were picnicking yesterday, her dad called a few times (only the one placing the call pays unless it's an international call, then the receiver pays a per minute fee) and she told him she was out of credit.  He (thankfully, I feel like she needs limits, but who am I to say) told her she'd have to wait until the 15 (I guess when he gets paid again).
I am appalled in Nashville when I realize 4th graders have phones.  It's just my age.  I didn't have a phone until I was a junior in college I think, and I paid for it!  And the service!
I remember when my cousins got them in high school and I thought that was ridiculous.  I can see when you start driving.  Or before if you want to pay for it I guess.
But 6 years old seems crazy to me.
I will say that she's heard from her dad almost daily.  Maybe this is his way of getting to talk to her more.  I'm glad for that since she cries to see him and when she has to leave him (his work keeps him out of town for months at a time).  Seems to me, though that that could still happen through Mabel's phone... Or am I just old?

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