Madam, - I have just returned from a holiday in Japan. On the buses, trains and subways in Japan there, you will never hear a text message being received. You will also never have to suffer an annoying ring tone or have to listen to somebody drone loudly into their mobile phone.
This is because all mobile phones are "on silent" on public transport at all times and people will never make or receive calls. If on an extremely rare occasion - for example, an emergency - somebody does speak on their phone, they will cup the phone to their mouths and whisper.
Back in Ireland, on my first bus journey into Dublin, while trying to read, I heard a terrible ring tone blasting out. I then had to listen to the man behind me shouted down the phone to his friend about how much drink he had taken on the Saturday night past.
This made me realise why the Japanese behave as they do. It's because they have good manners and show consideration and respect for those around them.
Philip Nulty (April 14th) is right. we are soon going to have to suffer more of the same on aeroplanes. - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN DONNELLY, West Courtyard, Tullyvale, Cabinteely, Dublin 18.