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Subway manners

58 Comments

A timely reminder from Tokyo Metro for the party season.

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58 Comments
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They should write Shuten Desu on the bottom.

I would rather they sleep on the train, then to puke on my stairs going out of the station with a huge amount of noodles not even partially digested smelling like sour milk and vinegar with chunks of colorful stuff no one knows what it is.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

If all the tipsy sararimen were as cute as that puddy, there would be no problem.

8 ( +10 / -3 )

Why the need for English? I have never in my 11 years here seen a foreigner sleeping like this on the train. Badly behaved foreigners being loud? Yes? Sprawled out? Nope. Only the locals.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

90% I would say 99.999%!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

PS - I find that sign offensive to cats.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

That poster makes me want to lie down on the train... That cat looks super comfy!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Gurukun - the English translation accurately portraits the intention of the original Japanese slogan, therefore it is a good one...

6 ( +6 / -0 )

How often have you seen a gajin drunk and laying down on a train/subway in Tokyo? I'd say 90% of the time it's a Japanese person. Agreed?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Serrano, Riigght? Smetimes I hate the english translations of Japanese signage Gurukun - sometimes you can't translate directly, or it makes sense to say in a different way. I applaud them for not directly translating -means they are making an effort.

I like the campaign too. Although some people posting here say it is too obvious and teh message is like teaching kids, the positive effect is that riding on trains here is a much more positive experience than in the UK. Lets skip past the fact that the trains actually arrive at the station and they are numerous, the fact they are clean, and you can actually use the seats is a blessing. In the UK people use them as footrests, which means you could be sitting in doggy poo, puke, or some other substance left on the streets. Also, peoples manners are generally better with MOST people refraining from talking on the phone here - in the UK I HAVE to listen to peoples arguments with boyfriends, discussions of what to have for dinner, or who is leaving who - all really critical discussions that couldn't wait 15-20 minutes, right? I capitalised the word "have" as people (for wahtever reason) tend to shout. Society here constantly reminds of what is not acceptable, and hence it is harder to break the rules. In the UK it is a 'I can get away with it' mentatlity which seems unstoppable now.

5 ( +7 / -3 )

Is that cat a Russian Blue?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

This poster should be left blank, with velcro marker pens attached...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I moved outta the big smoke to avoid riding the damned trains year round, now its only on occasion, you all shud try it its MUCH MUCH better

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Would rather see Nyan Cat deployed for this mission.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It should say, "Please don't spew on the train!"

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Nice poster, but decidedly lacking in appropriate levels of cat-vomit in front of the seat...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Since when are animals allowed on the train?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The actual translation is:

When the cat's away, salarymen will play!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I've only seen a few layers during my time here, it's the ones that are standing and swaying from side to side that bother me. The one's that vomit on the train are the worst. It's a cute sign but was probably a waste of money for the train system. Happy Holidays everyone.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

they should also remind party goers it is not good manners to barf on train platforms or in front of stations.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

PS - I find that sign offensive to cats

It's like a noose for cats.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I find it somewhat insulting that they even add an English translation.

I've notice that many warning signs - particularly for those regarding warnings to potential thieves - are written in Korean, Chinese and English in addition to Japanese, and that strikes me as a passive form of discrimination; subconsciously, Japanese kids will grow up associating foreign languages with warnings to criminals.

No big deal, really, but a tad annoying.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

"Show me the way to go home, (hic!), I've had a few drinks and I think I'm going to be ..."

That was a (hic!) great pa-pa-rty (hic!).

Wish this (hic!) train would keep still, it's swaying all over the place (burp!).

Ah, a seat!

Think I'll just lie, have a down, lie down for a bit (hic!).

Woah!

Poster says "No!"

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It would be better for some to lie on a seat when inebriated, and perhaps go to sleep, then to remain standing/staggering and bother other passengers. No one wants them sprawled out elsewhere where they could cause accidents with people getting on or off the trains. And they might sober up a bit and not cause an accident later.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I too think the picture on the poster is more encouraging than discouraging..by train seats,they mean station benches ?Sleeping drunk on a bench seems harmless but on the train is another thing..

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Pamelot - good one!

@GW - much the same here. After 18 years, I don't use trains or subways more than a dozen times a year and don't miss them at all!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think it is much better to just open a window and PUKE right out the window instead of puking, barfing, vomiting all over people there in the trains, just a thought, happy holidaze!

Right! And always carry a plastic bag just in case!

Nothing wrong with posters to remind people of train manners but this poster is just too cute to to deter anyone, I think.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

At least the guy or animal in this case doesn't have light colored hair... lol!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The top says "I have seen this (type of) person."

Well I haven't! That person looks like a cat! He or she would make a fortune in a circus!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"they should also remind party goers it is not good manners to barf on train platforms or in front of stations."

Here here. Why cant they barf on the track, over the side of the platform or in a garden or rubbish bin if they can't hold it in. Why do I have to a) watch you puke your guts and b) then have to tread my way through your partially digested ramen?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

tmarie, just read your comment. 100% agreed with your view. Main offenders are the natives.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

come on the biggest "lack of manners" on the subway is able bodied people not giving up their sit for elderly / pregnant woman, etc, they just sit there and pretend not to notice, is shameful

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Time for my daily Japanese language lesson. 飲んで I understand, but ゴロリ? What is "gorori"?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I took a photo of this poster this evening just to spite the poster who denigrated this action.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Is that cat a Russian Blue?

Lovely plumage, the Russian blue.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A crossed.out cat would mean "no cats allowed"-

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Gurukun - I think it's more like,

"This is drinking and sleeping." And "The train seats are for sitting ( not lying down )."

0 ( +2 / -2 )

These posters are risible. The best one so far was a couple of months ago, saying, "If you fall asleep, be careful not to rest your head on the passenger next to you".

So if you're knackered and can't summon up the will even to remain conscious, this is how you should conduct yourself whilst insensible.

I'd love to see these directed properly - "Please refrain from picking your nose. It doesn't matter if you're fifty-five and used to being deferred to, stop doing it. We can see you and you sicken us".

0 ( +7 / -7 )

lol! @ jforce hahaha

anyways, when you're drunk you can't follow rules lol! oh and i don't have to be polite, if i feel like it then i will lol you can't expect everyone to like you ^^

0 ( +0 / -0 )

hahahahaha cat'll throw up hair ball instead of noodles w

0 ( +0 / -0 )

better: If you are drunk take a taxi

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@TinMadDog

The top says "I have seen this (type of) person."

Actually no it does not say " I have seen this (type of) of person" It's asking quite literally in fact, "Have you seen this person" or "People have you seen this person".

However, I lol at this

Well I haven't! That person looks like a cat! He or she would make a fortune in a circus!

Cute!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What is "gorori"?

It's like flopping down, slumping, or lie down if you use it with yoko ni naru.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's like flopping down, slumping, or lie down if you use it with yoko ni naru.

Ah! So the second sentence is something like "Drinking, then flopping down." Any idea why it's in katakana? Is it a "borrowed" word?

ありがとうございます。

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These posters bring a smile so I love them. Hardly a waste of taxpayer's money. Positive reinforcement for good manners is a nice thing! I miss the yellow, black, and white "Uchi de yaro" posters though. I still wonder what is happening in the ever dour lives of the obachan and ojichan. They disappeared after 3/11. Maybe they were swept away? That kitty looks so blissful!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Any idea why it's in katakana?

It's possibly because it's often used as an onomatopoeia. I've heard it mostly as "goron" ゴロン around my area.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Moderators, you may have a problem with the preview option of the comment area. When I use katakana, I can't see what I wrote (it's just a lot of garbled mumbo jumbo) but it posts properly. I'm saying 'may' because it may be one of my computer settings affecting it. Just FYI.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

what about farting bad breath - natto, omiboshi, boiled egg breath peeing - weting yourself - is a sign of alcholism vomit

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I like these posters too - hardly a Japanese thing to promote good manners, we had a similar campaign in Australia in the past few years. And all of the advice they've given is exactly what's always annoyed me about people on the subway.

@Elbuda Mexicano Hahaha, just try that, the wind will blow all the vomit back into your face and any unlucky passengers nearby.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The picture should say it all. Since it does not, it fails. A simple change as a (do not sign) circle with a bar through it would be more effective. Do you think a drunk person is going to be able to read or care? At least sober people of any country would understand if the picture was right.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where does it say, "Even If you had a few drinks?"

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Diced carrots, tomato skins, sweet corn... Hughie and Ralph. the perfect platform pizza. Merry xmas

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

kawaii (cute) image !!! contents? i thought even animals have become drunkards in Japan. Tokyo should stop wasting money on such advertisements.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Love these posters, specially the one with two birds, one sleeping on the other.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

iceshoecream - that's the one I mean! They print something adorable and kawaii - I've seen grown women stop and take photos of these things - and the message is "Don't be like this".

Must be quite a dilemma for people who've been brought up to believe that a) cuteness is all that matters, but b) orders must always be followed unquestioningly.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I think it is much better to just open a window and PUKE right out the window instead of puking, barfing, vomiting all over people there in the trains, just a thought, happy holidaze!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Serrano, Riigght? Smetimes I hate the english translations of Japanese signage.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

This is an excellent and important campaign, as well as a good use of tax money. Nothing is more important than keeping the public safety and harmony, and we must ensure that young Japanese and guests to Japan are aware of the social rules that must be adhered to when in Japan. We see problems such as the Halloween Yamanote ride, which is surely upsetting to a peace loving, shy people.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

I always cringe when I see these so-called "manner posters" because I resent being treated like a child. When you are treated like a child, you act like one. Treat people like adults with common sense, and there will be no need for these silly posters. Wa schma, meiwaku schmeiwaku . . . bureaucratic interference into the obvious sucks.

-12 ( +2 / -13 )

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