Common Craft Blog
Japan Tobacco's Clever and Strange Smoking Manners Signs
By leelefever on February 24, 2008 - 8:38pm
Japan is surely one of the politest places you're likely to visit. If you ask someone for directions, there is a good chance they will walk you there themselves. Behaving honorably is an important part of the culture and there is never a lack of signs, often cleverly illustrated, reminding the public of what is expected.
One of the most interesting and clever examples I found is produced by Japan Tobacco. In smoking areas, on trains and near ashtrays, there are often signs related to smoking and behavior in crowds. Notice the minimalist illustrations and the strange-but-effective messaging from these examples.
This is my favorite. The proper disposal of cigarette butts is an important issue. Meet. Love. The End. - A timeless story.
and...
Some are designed (I think) to promote awareness of how non-smokers perceive smokers.
and...
also...Neglect.
But, it's not just focused on smokers. On trains you may see signs about proper train behavior. For instance, apparently public grooming is discouraged. Make up - Image down.
And those backpacks. I have been in violation multiple times.
Unexpectedness, emotion, concrete examples, these signs are right from Made To Stick.
You can find a gallery of over 70 of these signs via Conbinibento and some particulary funny ones at InOnePunch. I've been collecting strange signs from all over here and don't forget Darren's Hall of Technical Documentation Weirdness.
Bonus sign - a mission statement in Engrish, from a bakery at a train station in small town Shikoku, Japan:
Good quality cumbustion setting up is very important for me, personally.
"If you ask someone for
"If you ask someone for directions, there is a good chance they will walk you there themselves." I'm recalling a night in Sasebo when a slightly inebriated me asked a young Japanese woman and her friends where my friend and I might find an open bar at 2 a.m. I learned at that moment just how profane young Japanese women can be. My friend, who had been gesturing in a friendly way with his hand, snatched it back and looked at it to assure himself that all his fingers were still attached. Ah - those were the days. :-)
Japan Tobacco's Clever and Strange Smoking Manners Signs
that's really cute and funny..........Japanese alway have the things like this. But how can you find this? Did you went to japan??
I love the bonus sign! I'm
I love the bonus sign! I'm certainly all for improvement of the gastronomic culture.
happy graphics
I love this. That is all. :)
Nice picture. Great post.
Nice picture. Great post.
There are other interesting
There are other interesting signs you can find at a station in Tokyo. The signs are wriiten in a very special way, by packaging tape. You can see how there are written by YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YyhH6mM-Rc Though the naration is in Japaneses, you can see art.
You are right about Japan,
You are right about Japan, it's a very polite country. I have to admit that never seen such anti smoking sings, they are not just symbols, they are wise messages that are supposed to hit your conscience. Actually I am a smoker, I suppose it would be a good idea to quit before making a trip to Japan, otherwise I risk offending these people. Well I wanted to quit anyway, I think I should contact a drug treatment center.