I live in a major US city and get hit up for cash by the homeless sometimes. When I explain I do not have a cellphone to them when they ask for money through some cash app. They look bewildered. Just 20 years ago I was the only one carrying around such a device for IT reasons. Now I am putting limits on my digital life, and it makes me socially "weird".

Almost nobody carries around small cash or change anymore.

And social services provide the homeless and those in poverty with free smartphones, since they're far more effective at ensuring communications with social services.

So how is the world weird? It all seems quite rational and reasonable to me.

Everything else, I can either use a digital wallet for, or an instant bank transfer (Which I've been given to understand are a bit more of a hassle in the US)

I'd basically never expect to be without a device for an extended period of time, specially not in an airport

I am aware of the single point of failure though, so I do take particular care of not running out of battery, keeping an accesible spare, and some cash around for emergencies I just never use it

Most people get pretty bored going to the airport, in line at the airport, waiting for boarding, waiting to take off, during the flight.

A smartphone loaded with books and magazine articles and podcasts seems pretty essential by this point for nearly everyone.

Not to mention loved ones who want to reach you by text or phone...

But I will call it unusual, because the vast majority of people will have their phone in their pocket or purse while at the airport.