Mind your manner mode.

Travelling around Tokyo on the Yamamote lime, I noticed that everyone seemed ro have a mobile phone. Children,aunties and uncles and the OL and Salaryman all sported phones. This is quite a revelation as I am reminded at evry train station by an announcement to keep my phone in "Manner Mode" when riding the train. This rule seems to be addressing a major faux pas in Japan as it is announced in Japanese and English.

I am guilty of answering the phone on the train. Japanese people will usually not publicly reprimand you for this act. However, I could feel the chill from the many riders giving me the stink eye. In fact, other than my phone and my friend's phone I do not. Recall hearing a phone ring.

Despite the strict adherance to manner mode, the Japanese people still manage to communicatevia their phones. They text message. Yes, this is a cultural difference between the US and Japan. Evryone seems to be typing away on their phones. Phones are often attached to a strap worn around the neck. This is to allow for safe typing while safe typing while standing ie. A crowded train.
No worry of dropping the phone.

Another observation is that the Japanese prefer bigger phones. There are no RAZR's to be seen. Rather large phones with largescreens. In Japan, the phone is the gateway to the internet. Computer are a luxury. Phones also broadcast tv shows. Definitely need the extra juice from a large battery. Besides when was the last time you tried to text message on a RAZR? (It really sucks.)

The Japanese networks are super fast to accomodate web browsing and video. The US networks are turtles in comparison.

I am writing this post on my iPhone. The power went out in my apartment. I thought this to be a good opportunity to attempt to be technologically inclined. Truth is I was just bored. Hope the electricity goes on soon.