[KukkoDrukko]

Haha. Oh wow, you have no idea how the phone system works!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Numbering_Plan#Cellular_services_an d_the_NANP_numbering_scheme[/url]

What I meant was a land line has an area code because it is locked to single location; a mobile is not, it could be anywhere. Therefore you get charged more when calling someone far away on a land line. But as this is not the case in the US the point is moot anyway.

Every country has different customs / business practises. I'd rather pay for incoming phonecalls and get cheap petrol.

What's cheap petrol got to do with phone calls?

Anyway, it is in their control; they choose whether or not to take out a contract. As it seems to be standard practice it is not really under their control as a mobile is pretty much a must have these days.

Because they are only strange to you. They are perfectly normal to people in these foreign countries. Why does that mean I shouldn't express surprise at it?