Handphone mania

Here in Korea, cell phones are big business. Everyone and their dog has got a fancy gizmo that not only rings in full stereo sound, but takes high resolution photos, stores mp3s and has a selection of groovy video games. If you're so inclined you can also do some banking using your phone: check your balance or transfer funds.

I've had an eleven-year-old student take a call in class (almost threw her out the window), watched people find their way in darkened theaters by the glow of their phone display, and seen people using a USB cable to plug into what's essentially a box at the side of the road, downloading their photos and then printing them on the spot.

Well today I witnessed a new high in handphone mania. At the swimming pool, a speedo-clad man hopped out and grabbed a carefully wrapped towel. As he slowly unravelled it, I wondered what he had in there - a drink? medecine? But of course, it was his handphone; not a moment later he was chatting away. Even his friends had a little chuckle at his expense.