The Japanese are known for their politesse on public transport. Anyone who has travelled the Tokyo subway and has suffered the fate of their mobile phone ringing, spoken too loudly or dared breathe will know the scorn they’ll receive from fellow commuters. All etiquette stems from practicality and the observation of simple rules make the journey more pleasant for everyone, although, there’s no official stance on what you should do when someone falls asleep on your shoulder.
Japan is known for its obsession with Western culture and these Tokyo subway etiquette posters are no exception. Spanning 1976 – 1982, film icons of last century are met with historical figures in the name of good manners. While some of the correlations might be tenuous—Charlie Chaplin, Nazi Germany and seat monopolisation, for example—they all send a clear, if not somewhat kooky message: be considerate when commuting.
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- Superman warns against dropping chewing gum on the platform.
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- Charlie Chaplin in triplicate raises the all-too-important issue of seat monopolisation.
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- Certainly Jesus Christ had more on his mind than umbrellas at the Last Supper.
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- Toulouse-Lautrec revists the Can-can in the interest of not smoking.
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- Napoleon says you should always have your travel card clearly displayed. Right ...
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- Saved by the bell. Cinderella says you shouldn't rush for the train once the bell has run. In case you lose your glass slipper, of course.
You can view the rest over at How to Be a Retronaut.
Published on 7 November 2011 by Agony Uncle