Have I your attention now? No, get me out of here! Yes, then read on!

Picture this scene:
A lunch-restaurant, people of all creeds are having their lunch. Pregnant women, businessmen, people in worker's overalls, truck drivers.
A phone rings.
Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, goes for their handbag, hip holster or shirt pocket. Was it their phone that rang? No it wasn't. The signal is heard again. Someone very hastily pulls up a tiny, brand new, latest model phone and very, very quietly starts talking to the person on the other end of the line.

This was observed in a town in the north of Sweden, but be assured it happens everywhere where there are mobile phones.
It is actually amusing to see, as the only one who hasn't got a phone. I do have one now, but I didn't up until three months ago. And I turn my phone off durning lectures and when I'm eating and at other appropriate times.
The times are many when there has been a loud ringing in the middle of a lecture and everyone turns and looks at a person going bright red.
Or worse, the person jumps up and skipping exits the classroom and skipping enters again two seconds later after telling the caller he was busy!
This is a true account of what happened at one of my lectures... Can you believe it? I can't. Or I couldn't if I hadn't seen it myself.

Strange are the workings of the God we call a Teddybear!

Yes, you read correctly, they are indeed called Teddybears here in Sweden. And the similarities are astounding. Consider:

• Everyone should by right have a mobile phone.
• Carry it with you wherever you may roam.
• If you lose it cry like a baby. (Well, not quite, but be very upset and complain to all).
• If you haven't a Teddybear you should at least have a pager (teddybear, blanket).

96-11-22