Daughter (age 21), will not answer cell phone; only responds to text messages. Sometimes. Depends on mood. Even if you are trying to give her money. Turns out I am not alone.

Mother (age 86), can only be reached on cell phone. When it is working. And turned on. And the ringer loud enough. And within her reach within the first five rings.

Don't leave message because phone so complicated she can't retrieve them. You could, try on the second phone, which she bought to keep at home. So she doesn't have to run around trying to find the first one when it rings. And she misses her calls. Sister trying to buy her a Jitterbug, but they're all out at Best Buy. Which suggests I'm not alone on that one, either.

Students (late teens-early twenties) can only be reached on e-mail accounts you don't have, not the one at the university.  You are supposed to know these e-mail addresses. All 200 of them. Even then, they don't read e-mails. Even if you are trying to give them money. IM or text them. See above.

Husband (age 60) could be reached on cell phone on way home from work, but forgets to charge it, often leaves it at home. Plus, no cell towers within 15 miles of our home anyway. Need smoke signal for "get milk."

                                                                        --B.J. Roche