Here's another sign that doesn't need a translation. Actually, I find that the Japanese are quite paternalistic in some respects and foster a sort of infantilism in adults. For example, train recordings tell you the name of the stop, which side the doors will open, and will remind you not to forget anything on the train at every stop. There are always signs stating the obvious (like the one above). Perhpas, it is consdiered polite to look after the general public this way, but it sends a deeper message that the masses are unable to use common sense to get through the day, and that it is necessary to spell everything out and look after people.
Jesus, it sounds like my mother was Japanese in a former life!
Posted by: OzzyOsmond | February 01, 2005 at 10:16 AM
Weren't most mothers?
Posted by: MC | February 01, 2005 at 09:17 PM
How come they don't warn you about the holes in the sidewalks then?
This poster is a piece of art, have you ever thought about starting a business collecting these types of posters and selling them on ebay?
Posted by: Arie | February 02, 2005 at 06:58 AM
They would if there were speakers outside. Today I realized tht they tell you stepping past the yellow line when a train appraoches is also dangerous. When I was on JET, after every meeting at the Board of Education our supevisors would tell us not to "meet" a traffic accident on my bike during the 12 block ride home.
Getting that poster would amount to theft, it's on the wall in the Otemachi subway station. But I agree it's art-looks like a Roy Lichtenstein.
Posted by: MC | February 02, 2005 at 11:36 AM
I wasn't recommending that you steal it, but find a way to buy these. I've had friends try to buy or collect posters from stores (i.e. Asahi Beer posters with swimsuit models), but inevitably they fail in negotiation. I think part of it may be that the companies that supply the advertisements don't want them misused.
However, I used to take a train at its terminus and the guys came through and tossed all the old (perfectly good) train ads and put up new ones.
Posted by: Arie | February 03, 2005 at 06:53 AM
>
Sounds like Mind the Gap in London.
Yeah, I know a lot of people who find "Japanglish" interesting - Arie's idea is a good one.
Posted by: Ozzy Osmond | February 05, 2005 at 04:33 AM