Hand Phone Etiquette - Indonesian Style

[Chiron]

The world is full of noises, and Indonesia has more than it's fair share. One area of noise contribution come from the millions of hand phones owned by Indonesians country wide. It seems that wherever I go, the non stop dinging, or notify sounds from a Samsung Galaxy, or a competitive brand is turned up full volume in shopping malls, restaurants, salons, etc. A few may have discovered vibrate mode, but it's my unscientific observation the majority enjoy constant full volume notifications. I'm not saying that this is a problem unique to Indonesia, but I do find it much more noticeable whenever I visit there.

So this leads to an interesting example that kind of took the prize for its pure irritation quality. Having an early breakfast at a very nice and quiet hotel restaurant, I had an opportunity to further develop my patience as a human being. There weren't too many people at 6:00am, and a well dressed gentleman came and sat at the table next to me. He proceeded to playback a variety of media that included a baby screaming over and over. He must have played the same 5 second clip 15 times, that could be clearly heard by anyone in this nearly empty restaurant with seating for about a 100 people. He then went through several other dings and noises, and finally played some sort of lengthy Islamic chant - at full volume while staring off into the distance.

As it turns out, there were several light blue uniformed individuals coming to his table in a manner of deference to his authority. I later learned these were Imigrasi officials having a large gathering at this hotel. The gentleman with the loud hand phone must have been the leader (I'm guessing). The look on his face, was one of self importance, and looked like he was not used to anyone telling him what to do. I almost felt like asking him to maybe turn it down a bit, but I'm sure that no good would have come to that. Instead, I just sat there and exercised my now refined patience and quickly finished the breakfast in order to leave as soon as possible.

So what would Indonesia be like without all of it's hand phone noises? I kind of think our Imigrasi official was an anomaly, but it's interesting to note that the few others in the restaurant were oblivious to his very noticeable noises. I'm convinced that most Indonesians could care less, and are accepting of this kind of thing. Maybe I'm the one who needs to chill out after all...

 

[waarmstrong]

I recall when hand-phones first became a "thing" in Jakarta; persons of means (the devises were relatively expensive) would carry their phones in a manner to assure it was clear to everyone within half a block than they were in possession -- even to the point of waving them above their pin-heads. I suspect that using the devises to noisily, annoyingly call attention to one's status is the current behavioral equivalent of phone waving.

 

[ChrisTex]

I find it more annoying at the mall when people are just staring at their phone aren't paying attention to where they are walking or just all of a sudden stop. I have quit counting how many times I have nearly knocked someone over when they just stop. They usually look up expecting an apology.

 

[gemima]

The world is full of noises, and Indonesia has more than it's fair share. One area of noise contribution come from the millions of hand phones owned by Indonesians country wide. It seems that wherever I go, the non stop dinging, or notify sounds from a Samsung Galaxy, or a competitive brand is turned up full volume in shopping malls, restaurants, salons, etc. A few may have discovered vibrate mode, but it's my unscientific observation the majority enjoy constant full volume notifications. I'm not saying that this is a problem unique to Indonesia, but I do find it much more noticeable whenever I visit there.

So this leads to an interesting example that kind of took the prize for its pure irritation quality. Having an early breakfast at a very nice and quiet hotel restaurant, I had an opportunity to further develop my patience as a human being. There weren't too many people at 6:00am, and a well dressed gentleman came and sat at the table next to me. He proceeded to playback a variety of media that included a baby screaming over and over. He must have played the same 5 second clip 15 times, that could be clearly heard by anyone in this nearly empty restaurant with seating for about a 100 people. He then went through several other dings and noises, and finally played some sort of lengthy Islamic chant - at full volume while staring off into the distance.

As it turns out, there were several light blue uniformed individuals coming to his table in a manner of deference to his authority. I later learned these were Imigrasi officials having a large gathering at this hotel. The gentleman with the loud hand phone must have been the leader (I'm guessing). The look on his face, was one of self importance, and looked like he was not used to anyone telling him what to do. I almost felt like asking him to maybe turn it down a bit, but I'm sure that no good would have come to that. Instead, I just sat there and exercised my now refined patience and quickly finished the breakfast in order to leave as soon as possible.

So what would Indonesia be like without all of it's hand phone noises? I kind of think our Imigrasi official was an anomaly, but it's interesting to note that the few others in the restaurant were oblivious to his very noticeable noises. I'm convinced that most Indonesians could care less, and are accepting of this kind of thing. Maybe I'm the one who needs to chill out after all...

As much as I still find these things infuriating - I do think that if you were to listen to baby screeching noise on repeat and prayer chants from your phone he wouldn't have batted an eyelid or even thought about you being irritating.
It very possible he does think he is very important (and who knows maybe he is) but I would think if he was lower down the pecking order or poor and unemployed he might still listen to his phone in public on full blast.
Since we are living in Indonesia, and public noise is the norm I do think we need to remember to "chill out" as you said, or at least try to hide our irritation/ block out the noise with earphones and a good podcast/ white noise application

 

[Gratilla]

Maybe I'm the one who needs to chill out

Yep, you need to chill out, and
Yep, Indonesians are oblivious to loud noise. (It's not just HPs!)

Possibly interestingly instructive as to why this may be:
- Genetic
- Cultural
- Air pollution (WHO has reported scientific findings that AP causes brain damage, among other maladies)
- Iodine deficiency which can cause cretinism (Note to mods: This is not an ad hominem against Indonesians, but in a world study by the WHO). This is a bit ironic in that Indonesia is a major producer of seaweed, which is the main source of dietary iodine.
- Lead Poisoning (from vehicle emissions and mining)
- Arsenic (steady on mods) poisoning, etc.

 

[R Cameron]

Many people all over the world are very annoying with how they use their cellular phones, whether talking on the phone loudly or playing video/audio content loudly in public and quiet places. I can't say that I've ever noticed Indonesia being worse than average in this regard.

 

[Vanhelsing]

Last week I had the occasion to require emergency dental treatment for an infected tooth which saw me walk into the closest clinic here in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where I was presented with the receptionist and an assistant sat in the patients waiting room both buried in their loud phones watching videos while giggling and chatting to each other engaged in what appeared to be a gay ol' time. I asked if it was possible to see a dentist immediately. Without so much of a cursory glance up from their entertainment I received the reply "Not here. Come tomorrow." Needless to say I took my money elsewhere.

 

[waarmstrong]

Yep, you need to chill out, and
Yep, Indonesians are oblivious to loud noise. (It's not just HPs!)

Possibly interestingly instructive as to why this may be:
- Genetic
- Cultural
- Air pollution (WHO has reported scientific findings that AP causes brain damage, among other maladies)
- Iodine deficiency which can cause cretinism (Note to mods: This is not an ad hominem against Indonesians, but in a world study by the WHO). This is a bit ironic in that Indonesia is a major producer of seaweed, which is the main source of dietary iodine.
- Lead Poisoning (from vehicle emissions and mining)
- Arsenic (steady on mods) poisoning, etc.

That may explain why I have become oblivious to the dueling calls to prayer --- becoming acculturated, I guess.

 

[Jamu]

I find it more annoying at the mall when people are just staring at their phone aren't paying attention to where they are walking or just all of a sudden stop. I have quit counting how many times I have nearly knocked someone over when they just stop. They usually look up expecting an apology.

Same in Singapore...the dreaded phone zombies.

 

[Felicity]

I observe the same, and I feel annoyed. However, in my circle, those who tend to have maximum volume usually the senior (age), not super old, but older than me. So I just think, maybe they're losing hearing. And I'm chill with that.

 

[waarmstrong]

What did'ya say? Can you speak up a little?

 

[john madden]

It happens in Australia too. I get nervous when someone is having a loud conversation in the quiet carriage of the train - it may disturb the sleepers!

 

[waarmstrong]

I don't think you need to worry, John. The Australians I see sprawled on Bali beaches seem to be pretty sound sleepers.

 

[john madden]

It's the railway sleepers I'm worried about!

 

[Puspawarna]

I heard a great cellphone notification sound a few weeks ago - it was in Hawaii, so it was in English. It was a woman's voice saying something like, "Sir, your BMW is ready for you to pick up."

 

[snpark]

The best was the message of HAL voice from 2001 Space Odyssey "there is a message for you"

 

[snpark]

I heard a great cellphone notification sound a few weeks ago - it was in Hawaii, so it was in English. It was a woman's voice saying something like, "Sir, your BMW is ready for you to pick up."

Yes just in case you neeed any more confirmation the guy was a total tw4t hahaha
BMW drivers lol

 

[jstar]

Visit some of the Hindu temples close to Yogyakarta, instead of some serenity you get visitors playing loud music on their smart phones.