In what is often perceived as the most polite cultures in the world (outwardly at least), Tokyo Metro [東京メトロ] is trying to improve the travelling environment for all who use their subway trains by improving peoples manners. They decided that the best way to do this was through a poster campaign which seems to be taking an exaggerated and slightly comical look at bad manners that people tend to have taken to on the metro. The posters highlight annoying bad habits which are deemed unsuitable for the Tokyo Metro environment, and they suggest, should be reserved for the comforts of your own home. Each month has brought out a new poster:
The first poster appeared in April and asks that you share your seat with other people, by displaying a young man taking up several seats to read his magazine and munch on his snack, surrounded by open cans. The May poster, shows a lady putting on make up on the train; which is apparently another no-no (personally, I think, if you can put on make up on a moving train it's a skill not a public nuisance - but is guess it's more a case of you taking up lots of elbow space to do certain make-up-manoeuvres)
June is slightly more comical; with a lady acting out an array of emotions on the phone, and suggesting that no-one really wants to hear the ins and outs of your life on the train. July shows an old man taking a similar pose the young guys he is sitting next to, the young man is busy appreciating music, while the old man is busy trying to block out the sound with his fingers in his ears...
Augusts poster is, however, genius. Changing from the heading of 'Please do it at Home' they have now got 'Please do it at the beach' - in keeping with the summer time. Some guy dives for the closing train doors but is caught as they shut. Although, I'm not entirely sure if he's meant to look as though he is swimming or diving for a volley ball or something...it's hard to tell. Looks great anyways.
