But I was alive before the smartphones were available and didn't always have money for phone service and rent. So were a lot of folks I knew. And i simply understand the ways folks can get around having phone service... even if I think it is personally weird to do so out of choice instead of necessity.
I have also been in situations where I don't have the phone for a variety of reasons: Not working, for got it, spotty service, and so on. Of course you have to rely on others in these situations, the same as before everyone had such things. Actually being in an emergency has been a pretty rare thing, with or without cell phones. I've called 911 a few times, but only twice when not at work. Once for a car accident outside the house (a pretty bad one, lifeline helicopter and all), and one for someone's suicide attempt.
As a side note, it is a shame that the doctors offices do not have it. Most of them have it around here that I have seen. I avoid calling unless absolutely have to. As a bonus, the phones here are such that if I've run out of money on my prepaid phone, folks can still call me.
Lucky you. My GPs website has phone number and an address on it. My bank are equally as unhelpful. They have internet banking, but there is no way to suspend a card or re order a new one without phoning them. Last time I had an issue with my card I was out of the country so visiting the branch was out of the question (not to mention the branch is almost 2 miles from my home, has no parking and is only open 9:30 to 5 Monday to Friday, when I'm working). There's no technical reason they can't do this online, they just don't currently.
As much as I'd like to not have an active phone, it's not really feasible to live todays world without one. You're relying on other people to have phones so that you don't have to carry one. Your suggestion to keep a cheap non smartphone defeats the purpose of not having a phone.