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Koreans seem to love electronic gadgets, including cellular phones. Their interest is both personal
and professional, since they manufacture many of the cellular phones sold round the world. The
tiny phones have become especially popular in Korea,
with per-captia usage even higher the US's. In fact, Korea now has more cell phones
than hard-wired phone lines. Convenience is one reason. Cost is another; local wired service is billed by the minute, and can be somewhat expensive, so the premium for wireless service is relatively low. The phones' sales pace slowed briefly in the spring of 2000 when the Korean government banned discounted phone sales by cellular service providers, but the providers soon found ways to partially circumvent the ban. The Korean name for cellular phones translates as "hand phone." They are tiny and often quite colorful. In the US, one sometimes hears cellular phones play tunes instead of ringing; in Korea that's the norm. And there is a whole category of jewelry, little baubles that are hung from handphones -- presumably so they are easier to find in pocket or purse. Handphones are often sold from street kiosks, staffed by one or two young women clad in tight, short skirts. In this photo, a potential customer tries to make a decision. The loudspeaker at the photo's lower right is a common sight on Korean streets, as stores and street vendors play music and even employ dancers to attract customers. Korean cities are not places for those who appreciate peace and quiet.
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