Mobile Phone Concerts

Bulgarians and mobile phones... Quite a few observations can stem from that phrase. For one, 90% of Bulgarians seem to own the latest models in mobile telephony (even the 18 year olds). Quite a paradox, given the fact that nearly the same percentage complain how they receive barely more than the mean wage for the country. (As a side note, I just want to mention that at the same time, in Finland--home of Nokia and neighbor to Ericsson--most people still own camera-less phones with black-and-white display.)

Well, the thing that I find even more bizarre, or should I say interesting, is how most Bulgarians never silence their phones. They have them set to the loudest setting so that we may all listen to their choice of ringing tone as they reach into their pockets or rummage through their bags to get to their ringing phone. And I have the slight suspicion that they do this not simply because they are afraid they will miss a call by not hearing it (that's why people thought of the vibrating alert that can definitely be felt if you carry your phone in your pocket or even in a bag). In buses, cabs, restaurants, etc. I am privy to the latest polyphonic sounds. Don't get me wrong, I'm not so much annoyed as amused. It was funny to walk behind a man who all of a sudden had the whistling tune from Kill Bill start playing from his pocket--the one that one-eyed Daryl Hannah whistled when visiting Uma Thurman in the hospital. It had quite a sobering effect on me :). Even better is when you hear a hard-core rap song, turn around, and see a middle-aged woman reach into her bag. And, of course, let's not forget the chalga rhythms some people are really big fans of.

Yes, every day out is like a set of concerts...