The best way to grasp Japan’s mobile culture is to take a crowded commuter train. There are plenty of signs advising you not to use your phone. Every few minutes announcements are made to the same effect. If you do take a call, you risk more than disapproving gazes. Passengers may appeal to a guard who will quietly but firmly explain: “dame desu”—it’s not allowed. Some studies suggest that talking on a mobile phone on a train is seen as worse than in a theatre. Instead, hushed passengers type away on their handsets or read mobile-phone novels…
Might the Japanese stop talking entirely on their mobiles? They seem less and less keen on the phone’s original purpose. In 2002 the average Japanese mobile user spoke on it for 181 minutes each month, about the global norm. By early 2009 that had fallen to 133 minutes, then only half the world average.
From The Economist. Hat tip to Kevin Donovan.
2 Responses
There are some instances of this trend in the US too- the Marc commuter train between Washington DC and Baltimore has a quiet car, and the regular passengers take pride in their self-enforcement of the no cell phone rule. I’ve broken this rule once or twice, just to call home for a second and give notice that I’d be late (honest!), and I’ve come close to having my head chopped off- I didn’t mind though, because it’s worth feeling ostracized every once in a while in a peaceful environment.
The non-quiet cars are a regular gab-fest, so it’s nowhere near the widespread phenomenon as in Japan. There’s even an unofficial party car, where people drink out of flasks and get pretty rowdy. And the party car is usually the one right next to the quiet car.
I think it’s a genuine trend.
We’re seeing keyboards on modern smartphones because there is a demand for them. Any modern schoolchild will tell you that it’s easier to text in class than to take a phone call ;-)