Job Discussion Forums

[osakajojo]

I often see the "power off" stickers on the trains, asking people to please turn off their cell phones because it messes with people's pace makers.
However, I look around and people are always using their phones to text message, play games, whatever. Some even are talking on the phone.

I never turn mine off because frankly I never see anyone else turning theirs off. The other day I was standing by the door on the train studying kanji from a book and with out thinking took out my cell phone to use it's dictionary to find a furthur explination of a kanji I was studying then suddenly I was tapped on the shoulder by a man who started to point at the power off sign. I showed him I was just using the dictionary and he kept repeating "power off". I did so just as we were coming to our stop then looked around and counted 13 people using their cell phones. Just found it a tad strange that he told the one foreigner to stop but not any of the Japanese. I wanted to start yelling to each person using their phones to "POWER OFF!" "POWER OFF!"
My girlfriend said the man probably singled me out because I was a foreigner and my not be able to read the Japanese, hence I don't know better-so he was letting me know. The rest of the train no better but do so anyways so it is a lost cause for him. What do ya think?

[JimDunlop2]

I woulda just kept repeating "Get bent!" until the dude went away. And if that didn't work, I would've pointed out to him all the other people using their phones too.

Sounds like a jackass, that one.

[Sweetsee]

So typical that is, fine for them but not for you, happens all the time.
Can't remember the last time I was on a rolling nuthouse, so depressing.
I believe one would sink to their level by busting out the phone, though.
Not trying to diss you or nothing but you know what I mean?

Hang in there,
s

[azarashi sushi]

Hi Osakajojo...

I don't know how it is in your neck of the woods, but in Tokyo it's only around the priority seats that you have to turn your phone off. The priority seats are usually at each end of the carriage. In the centre part of the carriage it's OK to use your phone as long as it's on "manner mode".

Just wondering... Whereabouts in the carriage were you standing and where were the Japanese mobile phone users standing?

[Glenski]

[JimDunlop2]

In any event, banning keitais because someone might have a pacemaker is complete bollocks! I mean, come on! You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a keitai, for the love of Mike!

If this were indeed the case, people with pacemakers wouldn't be able to go shopping, hug a relative or even leave the house. Who in Japan DOESN'T walk around with their cell phone? Even at the school where I work, teachers have their personal keitais going off at all hours of the day.

Sheesh!

[campestre]

even people with pacemakers leave them on.

[Sweetsee]

That's funny!

[Celeste]

In Fukuoka, we have the priority seat rule too. Sometimes it feels like we are under the microscope though, doesn't it. I feel like I want to quote Shakespeare here, but I can't remember all of the words. SOmething about Caesar's wife having to avoid even the appearance of impropriety... (if I could remember the quotation better, I'm sure it would illustrate my point). Usually when people make a big show of pointing out my mistake, I humbly thank them- in fact make a big show of it - and then turn my back and roll my eyes!

[guest of Japan]

Just last week I saw a very big and "special" Japanese man flipping out on other Japanese using their phones in the priority seat area. He even poked one guy with his umbrella. It made the carriage more than a little uncomfortable for everyone.

[lajzar]

I was on the train about a mont ago reading a book on a long journey. The woman opposite had her phone ringing constantly. After teh third time, i said nothing, but just pointed to the relevant signs. She turned off the phone, and actually came up to me and apologised as I was getting off.

I probbaly wouldnt have cared if it was on manner mode, but the ringing shook me out of teh world of my book.

[osakajojo]

yea it was the door near the priority seats. There was actually only two people using their phones in the priority seats. The rest were in the center of the train.
As far as the pace makers go, I did see an old man walking through the station last week with a sign hanging from his neck that said he had a pace maker. Felt bad for him. It really must be hard.

As far as the cell phones, when I am listening to my MP3 player, I know I have a text message comming before my phone rings because I can hear a bit of static for a second in my headphones--just as when I am using the computer and I have my phone sitting near the monitor I can see I am getting a call before it rings because the screen shakes a bit. kinda scary!

[ndorfn]

I think the attitude to mobile phones has become far too complacent these days. 10 years ago you would be branded an outright tosser to talk on your phone on the train. now it's the norm.

there's no respect for those signs near the priority seats, and that's sad and selfish I think.

Here's a good trick if someone is doing this, or smoking in a no-smoking area: ask them if they are Korean or Chinese. if they're a redneck, they'll be offended. when they say no, act suprised, say something like, "demo, Kanji o yomenai no?". When they say they can, point to the sign.

[Henry_Cowell]

[Celeste]

THank you HENRY! I am slowly losing my literary knowledge base - sort of a job hazard. I really need to hang around with people whose conversation is at a higher level!