[GomiGirl]

I am often in HK and the MTR (Subway) is fully connected even between stations. The trains are full of people chattering away on their mobiles and it is not a problem.

I don't see why people are so against the use of phones on trains in Japan. The dirty looks that are given to people speaking on phones are enough to cut glass. How different is it to standing at the Shibuya crossing surrounded by people on their mobile phones? I don't buy the pace maker argument for a second.

[cstaylor]

It's an interruption to a peaceful sleep.

[Taro Toporific]

I don't see why people are so against the use of phones on trains in Japan. The dirty looks that are given to people speaking on phones are enough to cut glass.

EVERONE in Tokyo "texts" on the train. Using the iMode on the train is the norm for women (and only the occasional odd-ball women can be caught reading a newspaper on the train---according to keitai marketing focus groups, reading the paper is considered unfeminine and filthy).

Basically, the Japanese ideal is to become a zombie in public such as while on the train to avoid "offending" anyone and not to stick out.

And after a lifetime of this zombie behavior in public ... Voila, Salaryman!

[Kodack]

I don't buy the pacemaker argument either. Many trains in Europe use a GSM variant called GSMR (GSM Railway). The trains are location tracked and monitored over a special GSMR device. If the radios caused problems with pacemakers you would hear about it.