The English Chat Room (446)

427 名前: 名無しさん@日本語勉強中 : 2009-02-04 19:31 ID:IOng+Uq/

>>425
I believe it shows the full post if you are viewing the topic in "expanded" view.

>>423
I'm surprised that, for such a technologically advanced country, Japan has a (somewhat) limited amount of computers. Where I live, it is standard for each member of a family to have their own computer. Some of my more technology-savvy friends even have multiple personal computers. I find this to be the case in my group of friends, who I would classify as "middle-lower class" in terms of family income. Perhaps it is related to income. "Lower class" where I live (western coast of America in California, which is relatively expensive in itself compared to other territories) usually means an average family income of under $20,000 USD per year. While the cheapest entry for a computer is likely around $300, cell phone cost is usually $50 for the phone and an additional $40 per month: $35 usually for voice, and $5 to $20 for text SMS. That includes NO data (internet, email, etc), and may only be used to send SMS limited to 160 letters, which isn't very much in English. Optional data plans for web-browsing are extreme (often $40 for "unlimited" (although there are secret limits imposed in the contract) data transfer (through very, very slow connections. 3G is rare and incredibly fast by comparison, many use the EDGE Network), or else they charge an exorbitant price per MegaByte. Because of this, data plans are rare on cell phones. Many people who spend the time to analyze what is costing so much money per month for cell phone do realize that it's a digital highway robbery, but we just can't get our act together enough to stop the monopolies imposed by the various cell phone network providers. Sure, some companies are cheaper than others, but because the US is so large, you go with whatever company provides the best coverage in your area, since none of the company networks are equal in service. The cheaper networks are not available in my network, and so I have to pay so much money for very little service. It's a pain. Thankfully my contract is finished in a few months and I may leave the company. [Another note is that the prices I gave assume that you tie your funding into a two-year contract, which is standard in America. If you would like a new cell phone or would like to switch service before those two years are done, you get demolished with fees (a new, unsubsidized cell phone is often in the range of $400, and early contract termination is usually $200 ALONE. We also pay money per text SMS RECEIVED, which means we may be charged for no reason if somebody sends us a text message, which happens frequently and daily. Yes, I know that cell phone service in America is horrendous.]

Wow, that was a long rant. Sorry but I get worked up over the strength huge companies hold in this country (´ヘ`;) What I'm trying to say is, computers are cheaper than cell phones if you include the hidden costs. So, in America, it is typical for a child to be introduced to a computer before a cell phone.

Regardless of all these fees, many are still addicted to their phones here too. Kids also have their phone taken away here too for bad grades as a form of punishment. Many people send text messages while in the company of others, which is something I consider rude, but many people do it regardless. Talking on your phone on the bus, rail, subway etc. isn't considered rude though--it's interesting to listen to other peoples' conversations I think. As long as they aren't being very loud or offensive I'm fine with it.

The link I put (although I ruined up my formatting) is by National Public Radio, which produces a lot of very interesting articles for free. A partner syndication Studio 360 has been writing articles about Japanese culture recently, and they look very interesting too. Thank you for those links too. The cultural anthropologist in my will definitely enjoy them.
名前: E-mail:
Leave these fields empty (spam trap):
More options...
検証: