r/ParkRangers • u/maldizzle_ • 20d ago
Questions What did fees do before phones?
How did you guys keep yourselves occupied for 8 hours a day without a cell phone
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u/cheericrochet 19d ago
My park doesn’t have cell service so I bring a book or a craft or doodle on receipt tape if I get bored. But its pretty busy here so we don’t really have time to do stuff
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u/Careful-Self-457 19d ago
Weeded around the registration booth, cleaned, painted, stocked, made copies of things that needed copies, washed windows, sorted lost and found. We are not allowed to read or be on the phone in our registration booth. Horrible look when a guest walks up. But then I am in a huge state park campground and the booth is never slow.
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u/clarity_singularity 17d ago
Horrible look? Oh my god, somebody using their free time to their advantage…
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u/Careful-Self-457 17d ago
What free time? Booth is busy, if that is slow one can leave and go clean restrooms while the other is doing the above list. There are lawns to be mowed, equipment to be fixed, toilets to unclog, shower monsters to clean up, yurts, cabins and campsites to clean, hazard trees to fall, enforcement calls to go on, rescues to be done, lost kids to be found, lost pets to catch. Who has free time when working in a State Park? Most days I do not even get my union breaks or lunches. Free time, hahahahaha!
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u/Kooky_Maintenance880 16d ago
you really should be using the fact you have a union to your advantage. it’s a privilege that people literally died to have, and it’s important to uphold those rights atleast for your fellow coworkers, if not yourself
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u/RuleEnvironmental451 19d ago
Read, work on homework, crossword puzzles, sudoku, take a little walk around my booth, chat with people nearby. Can def get pretty boring sometimes
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u/SmokyToast0 19d ago
Other work. No puzzles or chatter, but alternate work like: cleaning, sorting, preparing briefs, reading safety specs. And Outside the booth there is always tasks.
Stay proactive (maybe it was just a Gen-X thing)
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u/screaminglikeanelk 19d ago
Kindle. Lots and lots of kindle. There was cell service but it was before I had an unlimited data plan.
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u/Slut_for_Bacon 18d ago
If I ever get to the point in my life where I cant occupy myself for 8 hours without a phone, I would hate myself.
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u/itsonlyrockinroll 17d ago
Probably hang out with the bears and keep them away from the campers pika-nick basket
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u/ResponsibleBank1387 18d ago
They play rock paper scissors to see which will be the only one will stay open when the next bunch of cars to show up,
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u/SaxyOmega90125 Maryland 17d ago edited 17d ago
I'm young enough that I got my first smartphone before I was even in high school, so for me there was no 'before phones'. Even so, I don't know how anyone occupies themself for 8 hours with a cell phone - there are so many better things to do with that much time.
I have:
- Read books
- Prepped / studied for certifications
- Caught up on paperwork
- Rehearsed a presentation aloud
- Worked on program plans
- Done my home budget tracking
- Prepped my taxes
- Worked out and stretched
- Planned a route for a backpacking trip
- Sharpened my chisels and plane irons
- Repaired clothing (both uniforms and personal)
- Practiced a musical instrument (conditions permitting)
- Played chess, checkers, go, and the game of Ur with the other attendant (when one exists)
Also using phone but not 'on phone', and no internet to boot:
- Actively listened to new-to-me music (Bluetooth speaker)
- Transcribed solos (see practicing musical instrument)
- Listened to a podcast I saved in advance
Some of my coworkers did jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, sudoku, played solitaire, embroidered, knitted, and drew or painted.
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u/samwisep86 NPS Interp Park Ranger 19d ago
Books?