Handphone users should obey unwritten rules<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): With only about 450,000 handphones, Indonesia
\nhas one of the lowest cellular subscription rates in Asia Pacific
\nregion.<\/p>\n
But, as far as use is concerned, Indonesians are among the
\nworld's most active users, averaging between 300 and 340 minutes
\nof calls per month.<\/p>\n
"Many Indonesians still consider a handphone to be a status
\nsymbol. They don't use it according to its proper function, which
\nis a means of communication, but as a means of displaying
\nrichness," Eduard Depari, a communication expert, commented.<\/p>\n
In developed countries, where handphones have a more well-
\nestablished presence, people adhere to a code of manners in using
\ntheir handphones.<\/p>\n
They avoid display, putting their handphones in their bags or
\npockets, as opposed to Indonesians who love to show them off by
\ncarrying them on their hands.<\/p>\n
"In some other countries, only yuppies use their handphones
\nwhile walking in public places, and they do that seriously. In
\nIndonesia, people use it while looking the left and right,
\nwatching people's reaction. The intention is to show that they
\nhave handphones," Eduard Depari, public relation manager of RCTI
\nprivate television, said.<\/p>\n
But fret no more. There is a code for polite usage of
\nhandphones.<\/p>\n
The first rule of handphone use is not to use it at a public
\ngathering such as a seminar or meeting because it will disturb
\nother people.<\/p>\n
"If you attend a seminar and don't expect a call, please, lock
\nyour phones. If you expect a call, activate it in such a way so
\nthat it won't release any noisy beep, but only a quiet buzzing
\nwhen the call comes in," Depari advised. "If you want to answer
\nthe call, go out of the gathering and find a deserted place to do
\nit."<\/p>\n
In other countries, people are cautious about making a
\nspectacle of themselves, and seldom violate rule number one of
\nhandphone use, he said.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, the first "rule" is often broken because many
\nhandphone-owners are eager to show off their exclusive
\npossession.<\/p>\n
Some public establishments have vowed to fight such wanton
\ndisplays of consumerism. Cinemas such as the Hollywood KC now
\nforbid moviegoers from activating their handphones during the
\nshow.<\/p>\n
Mien Uno, director of the personality school John Robert
\nPowers, suggested that people use other modern communications
\ntools in tandem with their handphones to minimize disruptions.<\/p>\n
"You can receive message through beepers and then go aside to
\nmake calls through handphones without bothering other people,"
\nshe said. "Or, use a voice mail service when you are in meetings
\nor other public gathering."<\/p>\n
The second rule of using handphones is, if you are concerned
\nabout privacy, you shouldn't use your handphone in public places.<\/p>\n
Many people use their handphones in public places, like malls,
\nand then appear annoyed when others around them make noises,
\nDepari said. "They don't have the right to be upset. It's a
\npublic place."<\/p>\n
Rule number three concerns personal safety: don't use your
\nhandphone while driving.<\/p>\n
Some countries, including the Netherlands, have forbidden the
\nuse of handphones while driving because it is potentially
\ndangerous for the driver, other motorists and pedestrians.<\/p>\n
Exception is made for drivers of ambulances, fire brigades and
\npolice vehicles, but violators of the decree face serious
\npenalties.<\/p>\n
Depari suggested that the government of Indonesia follow suit.<\/p>\n
The fourth rule concerns public safety: don't use your
\nhandphones near electronic equipment that is non-resistant to
\ncellular frequency.<\/p>\n
Some electronic equipment, including surgical equipment in
\nhospitals, and aircraft and military devices, may malfunction
\nbecause of handphone frequency.<\/p>\n
Because many people are unaware of this fact, property owners
\nshould post notices warning people not to use their handphones.<\/p>\n
Many countries ban use of cellular telephone operation within
\ntwo meters of medical equipment, in hospital wards, operating
\nrooms, intensive care, accident, emergency and obstetric-newborn
\nunits, and near X-ray machines.<\/p>\n
"In the case of the fourth rule, the call is directed more to
\nthe management of hospitals, aircraft, military devices that they
\nmake a warning notice. If there is no such notice, handphone
\nusers can't be blamed," Depari said.<\/p>\n
Health<\/p>\n
Experts are still undecided about whether frequent use of
\nmobile phones is harmful to the users' health.<\/p>\n
Cellular phones emit microwaves and may be dangerous because
\nphones are next to people's heads when they are talking.<\/p>\n
The wavelength of a mobile phone varies according to the type
\nof system being used. The Global System for Mobile communication
\n(GSM), for example, is about 940 megahertz. In comparison, a
\nmicrowave oven is much higher, at 2,400 megahertz.<\/p>\n
The human body, or in the case of mobile phones, the brain,
\nabsorbs some of the microwaves. However, just how much is
\nabsorbed and what amount is tolerable is open to debate.<\/p>\n
A study by American researcher Ross Adey found that microwave
\nradiation can speed up the growth of brain tumors.<\/p>\n
In another recent experiment, lab rats that were subjected to
\nprolonged microwave exposure, equivalent to that emitted by
\nmobile phones, developed rapidly growing tumors.<\/p>\n
The European Commission is sponsoring a study to examine the
\npossible long-term effects such microwave emissions from mobile
\nphones to a person's health.<\/p>\n
This study, expected to begin some time in 1997, will employ
\nthe expertise of scientists from various fields including
\nbiologists, physicians and pathologists. (team)<\/p>",
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