Today is Saturday, which means I have the next two days off, and as much as I love my job, I am really excited to have the weekend arrive. Not because I have big exciting plans - I'll have to spend the weekend finishing off a translation contract - but because I won't have to commute.
This week has not been a good one for my commute. I've been half sat on by a gentle giant, half crushed by a not so gentle not so giant, elbowed endlessly, given a face full of scarf tassel, hit on the top of the head with the butt of a smartphone, and had my toes trampled more times than I can count. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary (with the exception of the scarf, for the first time repeated shoving of it out of my face had no result beyond making the high school student lean further back, over the half divider and into me). But, perhaps because of the translation and resulting lack of sleep (or annoyance at my procrastination skills), I've found it all too much - the other night I snapped at U for getting too close to me on the couch... Umm, Sarah? That's okay! Good even! Cuddling on the couch is a good thing, and U isn't a cigarette smelly salaryman with over friendly elbows!
So yeah, I'm happy it is the weekend. U has some work he needs to do too, so we're going to spend Sunday morning at the coffee shop, maybe check out a nearby super-sento hot springs... And maybe, I hope, a little cuddle on the couch! ;)
How are you enjoying your weekend?
Showing posts with label train manners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label train manners. Show all posts
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Metro Movie
Riding the Tokyo Metro everyday to and from work, I keep an eye out for the manners posters. A few years ago they did a series encouraging people to leave certain behaviours "at home" and the Tobu line did a series playing on children's stories (here and here). Then the Metro went through a period of using cute animal pictures for their manners posters (of course, I'm partial to July 2011). Currently they are back to the simple cartoon, this time with an odd little bear taking the brunt of people's bad behaviour.
But more interesting than the current manners posters, is a Where's Waldo meets hidden picture poster showing various measures the Metro has taken to safeguard their stations and tunnels from typhoons and the rains of the rainy season. It is a fun poster with tons of cute details from dinosaur bones buried beneath the tracks to a ninja in full get-up to a bride and groom running to catch their train. Rurousha wrote about the poster much better than I could, so I'm going to leave it at that... and the video below, of cartoon version of the poster, playing on screens throughout the Tokyo Metro. The Ninja makes an appearance, as do the dinosaur bones, with the addition of a cute frog hopping along the Tokyo sidewalk and somewhat disturbing disappearing Metro employees...
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Mythical beings
Commuting by train at peak times can bring out the worst in people. Stuff too many exhausted bodies into a train car like sardines, and then add I heavy bags (being carried and bumping into others) and maybe even wet umbrellas... and well you have a mixture for unpleasantness.
The weather this morning (I brought a lunch and have no intention of going outside to check that if it is still the case) was ugly - a cold grey sky issuing a steady stream of icy rain, with a nasty wind to beat the cold into you.
I settled into my seat on the train as it filled up, and drifted of to sleep. I was jostled awake a stop or so later when the woman beside me got up and all but crawled across three laps to give her seat up to a woman standing at the end of the row, a woman with the pink "I'm growing a baby inside me" tag on her bag. The woman who stood up then spent the next hour being jostled by the other commuters as the train slowly made its way to Tokyo. The pregnant woman who sat down spent the next hour jostling me, the salaryman sitting on her other side, and the young guy standing in front of her as she fell asleep and almost fell out of her seat.
As the train continued somebody decided it would be a good idea to open a window. Not only did that send blasts of cold air around the car, but the kid beside me and I started getting rained on! Neither of us could reach the window, but one of the standing salarymen noticed our distress and leaned over and past a couple of indifferent commuters to wrench the window closed.
I bowed and thanked him and fell back asleep with a smile on my face. Yes, Sarah, nice commuters do exist!
The weather this morning (I brought a lunch and have no intention of going outside to check that if it is still the case) was ugly - a cold grey sky issuing a steady stream of icy rain, with a nasty wind to beat the cold into you.
I settled into my seat on the train as it filled up, and drifted of to sleep. I was jostled awake a stop or so later when the woman beside me got up and all but crawled across three laps to give her seat up to a woman standing at the end of the row, a woman with the pink "I'm growing a baby inside me" tag on her bag. The woman who stood up then spent the next hour being jostled by the other commuters as the train slowly made its way to Tokyo. The pregnant woman who sat down spent the next hour jostling me, the salaryman sitting on her other side, and the young guy standing in front of her as she fell asleep and almost fell out of her seat.
As the train continued somebody decided it would be a good idea to open a window. Not only did that send blasts of cold air around the car, but the kid beside me and I started getting rained on! Neither of us could reach the window, but one of the standing salarymen noticed our distress and leaned over and past a couple of indifferent commuters to wrench the window closed.
I bowed and thanked him and fell back asleep with a smile on my face. Yes, Sarah, nice commuters do exist!
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Wondering...
What happened to all the commuters?! My regular morning train is half empty! I actually have open space around me and no random salaryman's shoulder digging into my boobs or a briefcase hitting my shins.
It is like the twilight zone. It feels very very wrong.
It is like the twilight zone. It feels very very wrong.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Peer Pressure
My morning commute was packed this morning. Nothing new there really. It is packed every morning. But rainy days add in umbrellas to te mix and fog up everyone's glasses, and there had been an accident somewhere along the line somewhere.
My regular busy commute got not quite so regular pretty quickly this morning however! Suddenly the guy beside the guy beside me snarled at the guy beside me and shoved him (knocking him right into me). Snarly grabbed the guy by the shoulder and kept snarling at him, making accusations of some sort of behaviour (a shove? an elbow in the stomach? stepped on toes? surely not a fondle?!). The snarlee (as opposed to the snarler) had his cell phone in hand, and looked like ge had maybe just removed it from his pocket. When snarler's verbal attack got no reaction from his victim, he tightened his hold on the guy's shoulder and uttered the ominous "we're getting off at the next station."
Still no response from the petrified snarlee or the dozens of other commuters pressed up in very close proximity. When he tried to push his way off the train at the next station, however, a slight and unassuming young guy on the other side of snarler graves the bully's shoulder. The commuter ocean parted just enough and snarlee made his escape, but Mr Snarler, try as he might, could not get free from the grasp of Mr Good Samaritan.
Suddenly another ominous sound wad heard, however, as Mr Snarler's cheap rain jacket ripped audibly. He seemed almost delighted with this turn of events, content to allow snarlee to escape now that he had a new target for his wrath. Mr Good Samaritan, however, while he freely admitted his wrongdoing in ripping the jacket and agreed to make financial amends, refused to get off at the next station and "settle things."
At this point an elderly gentleman tapped Snarler on the shoulder and gently chided him for causing a fuss and inconveniencing all the other commuters. He waved at the air above our heads and reprimanded Snarler for creating a bad atmosphere, then, resting his hand on the bigger man's (non-ripped jacket) shoulder like a grandfather to a young and unruly grandson, he pleaded with Snarler to drop it. When Snarler continued to snarl and hurl threats at the good Samaritan, Grandpa repeated his refrain, adding "what are you going to do, keep picking fights with all of us one by one until you get your fight? Come on, think of everybody, just let it go, the jacket is your own fault!"
Slowly, like a bike wheel with a slow leak, the belligerence left the Snarler. I didn't wait to see how it ended, however, as I dashed off to make my transfer in danger already of being late for work.
My regular busy commute got not quite so regular pretty quickly this morning however! Suddenly the guy beside the guy beside me snarled at the guy beside me and shoved him (knocking him right into me). Snarly grabbed the guy by the shoulder and kept snarling at him, making accusations of some sort of behaviour (a shove? an elbow in the stomach? stepped on toes? surely not a fondle?!). The snarlee (as opposed to the snarler) had his cell phone in hand, and looked like ge had maybe just removed it from his pocket. When snarler's verbal attack got no reaction from his victim, he tightened his hold on the guy's shoulder and uttered the ominous "we're getting off at the next station."
Still no response from the petrified snarlee or the dozens of other commuters pressed up in very close proximity. When he tried to push his way off the train at the next station, however, a slight and unassuming young guy on the other side of snarler graves the bully's shoulder. The commuter ocean parted just enough and snarlee made his escape, but Mr Snarler, try as he might, could not get free from the grasp of Mr Good Samaritan.
Suddenly another ominous sound wad heard, however, as Mr Snarler's cheap rain jacket ripped audibly. He seemed almost delighted with this turn of events, content to allow snarlee to escape now that he had a new target for his wrath. Mr Good Samaritan, however, while he freely admitted his wrongdoing in ripping the jacket and agreed to make financial amends, refused to get off at the next station and "settle things."
At this point an elderly gentleman tapped Snarler on the shoulder and gently chided him for causing a fuss and inconveniencing all the other commuters. He waved at the air above our heads and reprimanded Snarler for creating a bad atmosphere, then, resting his hand on the bigger man's (non-ripped jacket) shoulder like a grandfather to a young and unruly grandson, he pleaded with Snarler to drop it. When Snarler continued to snarl and hurl threats at the good Samaritan, Grandpa repeated his refrain, adding "what are you going to do, keep picking fights with all of us one by one until you get your fight? Come on, think of everybody, just let it go, the jacket is your own fault!"
Slowly, like a bike wheel with a slow leak, the belligerence left the Snarler. I didn't wait to see how it ended, however, as I dashed off to make my transfer in danger already of being late for work.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Karmic balance
I wasn't actually feeling truly evil this morning. Petty? Hell yes! But not evil. My morning commute does not bring out the best in me, but I know I'm not the only one, and and I'm rather glad to know that I'm not alone in the desire to level other commuters for something they probably don't even realize they're doing (or at the very least could care less that they are).
Comments on my last post made me laugh and dispelled any residual guilt I might have been feeling. But that doesn't mean I didn't jump at the chance to right my karma on my way home.
I came down the stairs from the platform, almost home and mentally running through my shopping list. But I still caught what most of the other tired commuters missed - the old man standing by the elevator juggling bags of shopping, his big umbrella, and a walking stick. Or at least he was trying to juggle it all. The bags were just a little too much, however, and his walking stick clattered to the ground. He steadied himself with his right arm against the railing, turning his back on his dropped stick as he tried to manage everything in his left hand. The sea of commuters washed past in a rush to get to the gate. I fought against the tide, however, and broke through. When I got to the clear area by the elevator I leaned down and picked up the walking stick. The man slowly turned around and I gave him a smile and said "dozo" as I held out his stick.
I was feeling pretty self-satisfied and all warm and fuzzy for helping out the poor old guy. I was even congratulating myself for the karmic balancing act of helping out somebody who really needed the help after having done nothing this morning.
Then suddenly the cheesy music screeched to a halt as the old man just looked at me. He didn't seem quite sure what to make of me, but he reached out and coldly and very gingerly reclaimed his stick. He managed a weak thank you but it was clear from the glare he gave me as I turned away and the way he was gingerly holding his stick with only the very tips of his fingers that he was convinced I was out to get him in some way. Maybe he thought I had infected his stick with all sorts of horrible disease, covering it with the spores of some sort of gaijin pox in the few seconds that I had held it?
Who knows.
I let the crowd of commuters carry me out the gates, did my grocery shopping, and went home, keeping my eyes firmly on the ground in front of me so as not to notice anything that might be dropped. I've had quite enough of that for one day.
Comments on my last post made me laugh and dispelled any residual guilt I might have been feeling. But that doesn't mean I didn't jump at the chance to right my karma on my way home.
I came down the stairs from the platform, almost home and mentally running through my shopping list. But I still caught what most of the other tired commuters missed - the old man standing by the elevator juggling bags of shopping, his big umbrella, and a walking stick. Or at least he was trying to juggle it all. The bags were just a little too much, however, and his walking stick clattered to the ground. He steadied himself with his right arm against the railing, turning his back on his dropped stick as he tried to manage everything in his left hand. The sea of commuters washed past in a rush to get to the gate. I fought against the tide, however, and broke through. When I got to the clear area by the elevator I leaned down and picked up the walking stick. The man slowly turned around and I gave him a smile and said "dozo" as I held out his stick.
I was feeling pretty self-satisfied and all warm and fuzzy for helping out the poor old guy. I was even congratulating myself for the karmic balancing act of helping out somebody who really needed the help after having done nothing this morning.
Then suddenly the cheesy music screeched to a halt as the old man just looked at me. He didn't seem quite sure what to make of me, but he reached out and coldly and very gingerly reclaimed his stick. He managed a weak thank you but it was clear from the glare he gave me as I turned away and the way he was gingerly holding his stick with only the very tips of his fingers that he was convinced I was out to get him in some way. Maybe he thought I had infected his stick with all sorts of horrible disease, covering it with the spores of some sort of gaijin pox in the few seconds that I had held it?
Who knows.
I let the crowd of commuters carry me out the gates, did my grocery shopping, and went home, keeping my eyes firmly on the ground in front of me so as not to notice anything that might be dropped. I've had quite enough of that for one day.
Am I evil?
The woman behind me on the train this morning who's briefcase was digging into my calves, shoved me aside when we and half of the train got off to transfer. Every morning the scene from the three stooges is played out as half the train tries to get off at the same time and nobody goes anywhere until suddenly we pop out and all dash for our connections.
Anyways, briefcase lady shoves me from behind, which has the opposite to her desired effect as I end up getting shoved into somebody who isn't moving and get 'stuck.' She makes annoyed noises and shoves harder. I pop out of the train and am hurtled half way to the stairway u take to my next train. Briefcase lady clatters by at a sprint on her ridiculously high-heeled boots (completely useless in any type of winter weather). She dodges in front of me at the top of the staircase and her expensive black scarf is fluttering free on one side. The cuts in front of me and her scarf floats under the raised for of a still half-asleep salaryman on auto-commute. Feeling something underfoot he jerks awake and briefcase lady clatters on down the stairs oblivious to her scarf lyig at the top and being trampled by swarms of commuters.
Her shoulder is right infront of me. I could lean out and alert her to her lost scarf. I should do so. I normally do so. But not today. The almost bruises on my calves stop me and I take the stairs two at a time, my non-heeled shoes requiring less care. I reach the platform before her and out of the corner of my eye I see her cut off a handful of people as she cuts across the bottom of the stairs and dashes down the platform (no train in sight) still oblivious to her bare neck.
I half smirk to myself and wonder, am I evil?
Anyways, briefcase lady shoves me from behind, which has the opposite to her desired effect as I end up getting shoved into somebody who isn't moving and get 'stuck.' She makes annoyed noises and shoves harder. I pop out of the train and am hurtled half way to the stairway u take to my next train. Briefcase lady clatters by at a sprint on her ridiculously high-heeled boots (completely useless in any type of winter weather). She dodges in front of me at the top of the staircase and her expensive black scarf is fluttering free on one side. The cuts in front of me and her scarf floats under the raised for of a still half-asleep salaryman on auto-commute. Feeling something underfoot he jerks awake and briefcase lady clatters on down the stairs oblivious to her scarf lyig at the top and being trampled by swarms of commuters.
Her shoulder is right infront of me. I could lean out and alert her to her lost scarf. I should do so. I normally do so. But not today. The almost bruises on my calves stop me and I take the stairs two at a time, my non-heeled shoes requiring less care. I reach the platform before her and out of the corner of my eye I see her cut off a handful of people as she cuts across the bottom of the stairs and dashes down the platform (no train in sight) still oblivious to her bare neck.
I half smirk to myself and wonder, am I evil?
Monday, 4 October 2010
Monday Vocabulary
When I was little I, like many others I'm sure, loved Sesame Street. My dad would probably tell you that I preferred Mr. Rogers or Mr. Dress-up, and while he'd be right, I'll always have a soft spot on my heart for Snuffleupagus. Looking back I also like the idea of a letter and a number for the day - the "today's program brought to you by the letter 'C' and the number '3.' It makes sense paedeologically - breaks down a big lesson (all the letters of the alphabet and all numbers) into manageable bits, you learn a little more each day, and lessons are reinforced with examples (lots of 'c' words and groups of three). I'm doing the very same thing studying for the JLPT, thanks to a handy kanji and vocal application for my iPhone I've even been doing it just about daily too.
Yesterday, however the universe (or at least a couple of train companies) ganged up to impose a word on me. My word for yesterday? Chien-shomeisho (or chien-sho). It's the slip of paper handed out by train companies to passengers when a train is delayed - like the notes parents write to excuse a child's absence from school. A sort of get-out-of-being-late-for-free card. And my number? Three - as in three out of three of my morning trains were late and handing out chiensho.
I dutifully collected my chiensho and tried not to run over too many obachan as I raced for my transfers. I was at my desk only 15 minutes late.
Happy Monday - what way to start the week!
What letter and number was your day brought to you by?
Yesterday, however the universe (or at least a couple of train companies) ganged up to impose a word on me. My word for yesterday? Chien-shomeisho (or chien-sho). It's the slip of paper handed out by train companies to passengers when a train is delayed - like the notes parents write to excuse a child's absence from school. A sort of get-out-of-being-late-for-free card. And my number? Three - as in three out of three of my morning trains were late and handing out chiensho.
I dutifully collected my chiensho and tried not to run over too many obachan as I raced for my transfers. I was at my desk only 15 minutes late.
Happy Monday - what way to start the week!
What letter and number was your day brought to you by?
Monday, 24 May 2010
Daily Squish
My commute to work is fairly short but includes two transfers and three lines - one of which is one of the busiest lines in Tokyo. Going to school I always missed the morning peak rush and rarely found the evening peak to be quite so concentrated. But now I'm on the train at the end of the peak morning rush and that means that if anything goes wrong the chain of dominoes collapses. Trains get delayed meaning more people waiting at a station, meaning more time needed to push your way on and off, meaning more delays, meaning... a vicious (and sweaty and elbow in the ribs-filled) circle.
The Saturday before last there had been a jumper further out the line AND mechanical trouble a stop or two down the line. By the time I got to the station things were beginning to clear up but the trains were packed and more people were pushing on at each stop. On the other side of the car was a very young and over-made up bleached haired mother with a young kid in her arms. While fellow passengers seemed to be trying to give them space the train was packed and every time a new group got on there was a push and the little girl would cry out. By the time her mother finally got off the poor girl was crying and yelling that she hated trains because they hurt. I wouldn't be surprised if the child was traumatized by the experience and will take some time before she happily rides a train again - heck I know that's how I feel!
Another day last week various delays meant the train was packed and I had one guy's elbow in the back of my head and armpit on my shoulder, a lady's shoulder wedged into the side of my ribs, another guy standing on my foot, and a little old lady shoved into my chest. When we got to the the major transfer station everybody wanted to get off at the same time - whether there were people in front of them or not. This lead to a Three Stooges type moment with everyone pushing to get out but getting stuck in the bottleneck. And then something gave and like the cork on a bottle of champagne, people popped out of the doors. One lady, facing backwards, didn't move fast enough for the impatient horde behind her and was sent flying.
Earlier this week I got to the station and - on autopilot I walked to the escalator. Something wasn't right, however as there were people coming down the up escalator! A quick glance to the other side to confirmed the regular down escalator was still moving down. My confusion turned to dread as I looked up to the platform and saw the stairs nearly fully blocked with lines of people. I lined up myself but had to let the first packed train go by before I could board. I wasn't even sure I'd make it on to the next train but the person behind me was insistent on getting on so I was pushed on and in. When we all transferred one lady in stiletto heels was doing the strangest bird-pecking sort of neck stretching jumping stunted almost run to get down the stairs to her train. I'm not sure it made her any faster, but it did mean she didn't have to fight any others off - we were all standing around staring at her!
Can you tell how much I dread my morning commute??
The Saturday before last there had been a jumper further out the line AND mechanical trouble a stop or two down the line. By the time I got to the station things were beginning to clear up but the trains were packed and more people were pushing on at each stop. On the other side of the car was a very young and over-made up bleached haired mother with a young kid in her arms. While fellow passengers seemed to be trying to give them space the train was packed and every time a new group got on there was a push and the little girl would cry out. By the time her mother finally got off the poor girl was crying and yelling that she hated trains because they hurt. I wouldn't be surprised if the child was traumatized by the experience and will take some time before she happily rides a train again - heck I know that's how I feel!
Another day last week various delays meant the train was packed and I had one guy's elbow in the back of my head and armpit on my shoulder, a lady's shoulder wedged into the side of my ribs, another guy standing on my foot, and a little old lady shoved into my chest. When we got to the the major transfer station everybody wanted to get off at the same time - whether there were people in front of them or not. This lead to a Three Stooges type moment with everyone pushing to get out but getting stuck in the bottleneck. And then something gave and like the cork on a bottle of champagne, people popped out of the doors. One lady, facing backwards, didn't move fast enough for the impatient horde behind her and was sent flying.
Earlier this week I got to the station and - on autopilot I walked to the escalator. Something wasn't right, however as there were people coming down the up escalator! A quick glance to the other side to confirmed the regular down escalator was still moving down. My confusion turned to dread as I looked up to the platform and saw the stairs nearly fully blocked with lines of people. I lined up myself but had to let the first packed train go by before I could board. I wasn't even sure I'd make it on to the next train but the person behind me was insistent on getting on so I was pushed on and in. When we all transferred one lady in stiletto heels was doing the strangest bird-pecking sort of neck stretching jumping stunted almost run to get down the stairs to her train. I'm not sure it made her any faster, but it did mean she didn't have to fight any others off - we were all standing around staring at her!
Can you tell how much I dread my morning commute??
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Manners Schmanners
Tokyo Metro has apparently decided to continue on with their "Please do it..." series.
Meh... No comment...
******
The Tobu's fairy tale themed manner poster had me at a loss. I couldn't figure out the story behind the picture. A guy with a crown and huge brown ears, two old-fashioned looking elderly train passengers, and a guy with a work apron and... scissors?! Was he going to chop off the big ears of the guy who was being rude and talking on his phone on the train? That seemed a little gory for me and for the polite company of elderly passengers who frequent the train I ride. What do you think?
The poster reads "Dear Prince, your conversation while riding the train is more noticeable than your donkey ears."
I was intrigued, so I turned to my good friend Google and in put "donkey ear" thankfully everything I came up with was clean, but nothing looked promising. So I switched languages and after a few clicks found a Japanese site of Aesop's fables, listing one that roughly translates as "The Kings Ears are Donkey Ears." A few more clicks and I found this, a animated version of "The Ears of King Midas."
The Internet is a wonderful thing!
Meh... No comment...
******
The Tobu's fairy tale themed manner poster had me at a loss. I couldn't figure out the story behind the picture. A guy with a crown and huge brown ears, two old-fashioned looking elderly train passengers, and a guy with a work apron and... scissors?! Was he going to chop off the big ears of the guy who was being rude and talking on his phone on the train? That seemed a little gory for me and for the polite company of elderly passengers who frequent the train I ride. What do you think?
The poster reads "Dear Prince, your conversation while riding the train is more noticeable than your donkey ears."
I was intrigued, so I turned to my good friend Google and in put "donkey ear" thankfully everything I came up with was clean, but nothing looked promising. So I switched languages and after a few clicks found a Japanese site of Aesop's fables, listing one that roughly translates as "The Kings Ears are Donkey Ears." A few more clicks and I found this, a animated version of "The Ears of King Midas."
The Internet is a wonderful thing!
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Nose Plugs
You know how you never notice something until it happens to you or somebody points it out, and then you seem to see it everywhere around you? Well, maybe it was the the Metro's March manners poster, but the other day, in two completely separate incidents with two completely different people, I saw Japanese guys with plugs of tissue in their nostrils.
The first guy was in a suit and tie, looking like your average salary man. He was crossing the street and seemed completely normal. He was talking with another guy in a suit, and I guessed they were co-workers going for lunch. What made me do a double take (yeah, I actually did a double take and stared, sigh... you'd think that being the subject of a double or triple or quadruple take and lots and lots of staring, you'd think that'd make me somehow sensitive and less likely to do it myself... apparently not! sigh...) What made me do a double take, was that the guy had a wad of tissue stuck in one of his nostrils. I continued across the street and went on my way, somewhat bewildered.
The second guy was only a few hours later. He was dressed in ripped jeans and a colourful shirt, a jaunty hat perched on his head. His girlfriend was snuggled up to him as they sat across from me on the train. They had a big suitcase in front of them and I'm guessing they were about to head off on a trip as the train was going to Narita airport. This guy had tissue in both of his nostrils, and periodically he'd sniffle and fiddle with the wads in his nose.
Is this the Japanese reaction to the Metro posters? Are people across the metropolis of Tokyo suddenly being struck by the desire to be considerate to their fellow man? Are those sniffling and suffering from seasonal allergies realizing that blowing their noses in public is rude and inconsiderate and, paralyzed by the fear that given the lack of garbage cans in public spaces the inability to find somewhere to properly dispose of any tissue they might use to blow their nose would cause them to be lugging around bags and bags full of used tissues?
Or did I just happen to see, in the space of an afternoon, two different weirdos who decided it'd be fun to break the norm and shove tissue paper up their nose instead of conforming by wearing a mask and sniffling endlessly?!
The first guy was in a suit and tie, looking like your average salary man. He was crossing the street and seemed completely normal. He was talking with another guy in a suit, and I guessed they were co-workers going for lunch. What made me do a double take (yeah, I actually did a double take and stared, sigh... you'd think that being the subject of a double or triple or quadruple take and lots and lots of staring, you'd think that'd make me somehow sensitive and less likely to do it myself... apparently not! sigh...) What made me do a double take, was that the guy had a wad of tissue stuck in one of his nostrils. I continued across the street and went on my way, somewhat bewildered.
The second guy was only a few hours later. He was dressed in ripped jeans and a colourful shirt, a jaunty hat perched on his head. His girlfriend was snuggled up to him as they sat across from me on the train. They had a big suitcase in front of them and I'm guessing they were about to head off on a trip as the train was going to Narita airport. This guy had tissue in both of his nostrils, and periodically he'd sniffle and fiddle with the wads in his nose.
Is this the Japanese reaction to the Metro posters? Are people across the metropolis of Tokyo suddenly being struck by the desire to be considerate to their fellow man? Are those sniffling and suffering from seasonal allergies realizing that blowing their noses in public is rude and inconsiderate and, paralyzed by the fear that given the lack of garbage cans in public spaces the inability to find somewhere to properly dispose of any tissue they might use to blow their nose would cause them to be lugging around bags and bags full of used tissues?
Or did I just happen to see, in the space of an afternoon, two different weirdos who decided it'd be fun to break the norm and shove tissue paper up their nose instead of conforming by wearing a mask and sniffling endlessly?!
Monday, 16 March 2009
Please Do It No More
Here is the final installment of the Tokyo Metro's "Please do it at..." manners poster series. And, like the Green-eyed Geisha, I'm not impressed.
She comments that the poster looks like a instruction manual for how to dispose of your tissue on the train. I agree. Is the poster trying to get people to stop dropping tissues on the train? (Something I've never seen happen on a Japanese train anywhere) Or they are saying that it is acceptable to drop your garbage on the ground if it is your own home?
At first I thought it might be a commentary on nose blowing in general, as it wasn't all that long ago that it was considered impolite to blow your nose in public in Japan, and people would go to all sorts of lengths to hide nose blowing (the most common, of course, being constant sniffling, a habit that is one of my father's biggest pet peeves, and something he trained out of me only to see me pick it up again after coming to Japan). People would often leave the room and go to the bathroom to blow their nose in private, and I heard stories of Japanese guys being disgusted when the gorgeous blond foreign woman they were idolizing blew her nose right in front of them. While ideas such as these appear to have been disappearing, and it is no longer uncommon to see people blowing their noses in public, it still more common for people to sniffle their way through a runny nose.
This is a month of duds, as Tobu's fairy tale inspired manner poster had me scratching my head.
The fairy tale was obvious, Aladdin and and the Genie are immediately recognizable. Instead of coming out of a lamp, however, the Genie appears to be issuing from Aladdin's cigarette, as a poor damsel coughs and attempts to wave smoke from her face. I don't understand what the message has to do with Aladdin. Don't get me wrong, however, I'm COMPLETELY behind the message of the poster, that all Tobu stations are non-smoking. I'm also very excited that JR stations in Tokyo will be also going smoke free. I take JR most days and the entrance I use has me at one end of the platform, the one with the women's only car in the rush hours of the morning, and the smoking corner for the rest of the day. I am thrilled that as of April 1 I am going to be able to stand there without having to avoid the dozen or so suits puffing away as if their lives depended on the nicotine.
She comments that the poster looks like a instruction manual for how to dispose of your tissue on the train. I agree. Is the poster trying to get people to stop dropping tissues on the train? (Something I've never seen happen on a Japanese train anywhere) Or they are saying that it is acceptable to drop your garbage on the ground if it is your own home?
At first I thought it might be a commentary on nose blowing in general, as it wasn't all that long ago that it was considered impolite to blow your nose in public in Japan, and people would go to all sorts of lengths to hide nose blowing (the most common, of course, being constant sniffling, a habit that is one of my father's biggest pet peeves, and something he trained out of me only to see me pick it up again after coming to Japan). People would often leave the room and go to the bathroom to blow their nose in private, and I heard stories of Japanese guys being disgusted when the gorgeous blond foreign woman they were idolizing blew her nose right in front of them. While ideas such as these appear to have been disappearing, and it is no longer uncommon to see people blowing their noses in public, it still more common for people to sniffle their way through a runny nose.
This is a month of duds, as Tobu's fairy tale inspired manner poster had me scratching my head.
The fairy tale was obvious, Aladdin and and the Genie are immediately recognizable. Instead of coming out of a lamp, however, the Genie appears to be issuing from Aladdin's cigarette, as a poor damsel coughs and attempts to wave smoke from her face. I don't understand what the message has to do with Aladdin. Don't get me wrong, however, I'm COMPLETELY behind the message of the poster, that all Tobu stations are non-smoking. I'm also very excited that JR stations in Tokyo will be also going smoke free. I take JR most days and the entrance I use has me at one end of the platform, the one with the women's only car in the rush hours of the morning, and the smoking corner for the rest of the day. I am thrilled that as of April 1 I am going to be able to stand there without having to avoid the dozen or so suits puffing away as if their lives depended on the nicotine.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Well-mannered Valentines
So its February, which means Valentines Day is just around the corner. Stores in Japan certainly don't let you forget that. Chocolates and chocolate making supplies are displayed front and centre to entice the female population to buy or make all sorts of treats for the men in their lives.
This month's Tokyo Metro poster is also Valentines-themed. The couple from last month have been enticed up off the floor but are still in the way. They are sitting in the priority seats, snuggled up together and eating heart shaped goodies. After watching the antics month after month, poor old guy has finally come to serious harm and has broken his leg. He looks truly annoyed as he glares at the young couple, who in their love-struck (and sugar-overload hazed) state are oblivious.
This is actually an issue that does need to be addressed. Whether the poster will do it or not, I don't know, but it is a problem. The other day I had a friend ask me whether "priority seat" was the proper translation for the Japanese term. I thought for a minute and got confused. I couldn't figure out what term was used in Canada. My friend suggested "Disabled Seating" I remarked that with PC language that wasn't used. My friend was somewhat amused by my inability to come up with the proper English term. I finally came up with "Courtesy Seats." But I'm not sure that that is even used in North America? The more that I thought about it the less sure I was that buses and trains actually had special seating areas, except those for passengers in wheelchairs - with seats that fold up and belts and whatnot. Help! What term is used? Or do they not exist?
Either way, I told my friend that even if such seats existed, the average person would still give up their seat, wherever it was, to somebody who looked like they needed it more. The lack of such action by your average Japanese train passenger is something commented on by a large number of foreigners. Especially noteworthy is the people (normally younger) who feign sleep (you can occasionally see them peeking out and closing their eyes really quickly) so that they don't have to give up their seat.
To their credit, the average Japanese commute is longer than that in Canada. If you're only going 10 or 20 minutes it isn't a big deal to stand, but 40 minutes? an hour? That's a different story. Not that excuses anything, because the little old lady nearly bent in two, well she's probably going more than 5 minutes too, and it is even harder for her to stand.
That rant aside, I'm not sure this poster has framed the message properly. The young guy is the one doing everything wrong and yet here is is in February cuddling with his girl and eating homemade goodies. The creepy old guy is a goody-goody and does nothing more than look on in disgust at the various antics being had. He is left alone and injured however.
The message of these posters seems to be coming clear to me now - disobey the rules and have fun or obey them and be bitter and alone. Huh. Maybe I should stop giving up my seat, and start sitting on the floor, drinking till I pass out, running for closing train doors, and shaking my wet umbrella all over everybody...
This month's Tokyo Metro poster is also Valentines-themed. The couple from last month have been enticed up off the floor but are still in the way. They are sitting in the priority seats, snuggled up together and eating heart shaped goodies. After watching the antics month after month, poor old guy has finally come to serious harm and has broken his leg. He looks truly annoyed as he glares at the young couple, who in their love-struck (and sugar-overload hazed) state are oblivious.
This is actually an issue that does need to be addressed. Whether the poster will do it or not, I don't know, but it is a problem. The other day I had a friend ask me whether "priority seat" was the proper translation for the Japanese term. I thought for a minute and got confused. I couldn't figure out what term was used in Canada. My friend suggested "Disabled Seating" I remarked that with PC language that wasn't used. My friend was somewhat amused by my inability to come up with the proper English term. I finally came up with "Courtesy Seats." But I'm not sure that that is even used in North America? The more that I thought about it the less sure I was that buses and trains actually had special seating areas, except those for passengers in wheelchairs - with seats that fold up and belts and whatnot. Help! What term is used? Or do they not exist?
Either way, I told my friend that even if such seats existed, the average person would still give up their seat, wherever it was, to somebody who looked like they needed it more. The lack of such action by your average Japanese train passenger is something commented on by a large number of foreigners. Especially noteworthy is the people (normally younger) who feign sleep (you can occasionally see them peeking out and closing their eyes really quickly) so that they don't have to give up their seat.
To their credit, the average Japanese commute is longer than that in Canada. If you're only going 10 or 20 minutes it isn't a big deal to stand, but 40 minutes? an hour? That's a different story. Not that excuses anything, because the little old lady nearly bent in two, well she's probably going more than 5 minutes too, and it is even harder for her to stand.
That rant aside, I'm not sure this poster has framed the message properly. The young guy is the one doing everything wrong and yet here is is in February cuddling with his girl and eating homemade goodies. The creepy old guy is a goody-goody and does nothing more than look on in disgust at the various antics being had. He is left alone and injured however.
The message of these posters seems to be coming clear to me now - disobey the rules and have fun or obey them and be bitter and alone. Huh. Maybe I should stop giving up my seat, and start sitting on the floor, drinking till I pass out, running for closing train doors, and shaking my wet umbrella all over everybody...
Monday, 19 January 2009
A Not-Naked Emperor
The latest installment of the Tokyo Metro's manners isn't much more inspiring than the past few months.
As Green-Eyed Geisha remarks, it isn't terribly realistic in Tokyo. You don't normally see people stretched out on the floors of Tokyo subways. Not because the floors aren't clean enough to sit on - because they are amazingly clean - but because it just isn't done. You do occasionally see school sports teams - groups of kids in high school uniforms lugging big bags full of equipment for baseball, kendo, or (once, on my way to a hockey game) ice hockey. The kids will normally pile their bags and make some attempt at keeping things out of the way, but if they can't all find seats they will likely eventually sit on their bags and stretch out, taking up most of the car and annoying the elderly passengers.
If people in Tokyo don't sit on train floors, they definitely don't tend to get naked in public (well, except for the old guys who urinate on walls in alleys near the station...). Which is why it amused me when I figured out the fairy tale behind the Tobu train line's latest manners poster - The Emperor's New Clothes!
The emperor is not naked, which is why it took me a bit to figure out which story they were using. The poster's caption reads "The emperor isn't aware of his shameful appearance." In the fairy tale it is a little boy who points out that the emperor is naked. Here a little boy and his mother look on in disgust as the emperor and his men make a drunken nuisance of themselves.
This one makes me smile everytime I see it.
As Green-Eyed Geisha remarks, it isn't terribly realistic in Tokyo. You don't normally see people stretched out on the floors of Tokyo subways. Not because the floors aren't clean enough to sit on - because they are amazingly clean - but because it just isn't done. You do occasionally see school sports teams - groups of kids in high school uniforms lugging big bags full of equipment for baseball, kendo, or (once, on my way to a hockey game) ice hockey. The kids will normally pile their bags and make some attempt at keeping things out of the way, but if they can't all find seats they will likely eventually sit on their bags and stretch out, taking up most of the car and annoying the elderly passengers.
If people in Tokyo don't sit on train floors, they definitely don't tend to get naked in public (well, except for the old guys who urinate on walls in alleys near the station...). Which is why it amused me when I figured out the fairy tale behind the Tobu train line's latest manners poster - The Emperor's New Clothes!
The emperor is not naked, which is why it took me a bit to figure out which story they were using. The poster's caption reads "The emperor isn't aware of his shameful appearance." In the fairy tale it is a little boy who points out that the emperor is naked. Here a little boy and his mother look on in disgust as the emperor and his men make a drunken nuisance of themselves.
This one makes me smile everytime I see it.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
December Manners
December is here and while it still seems nice out when the sun shines, my apartment is getting colder and colder. Convenience stores, take-out joints, grocery stores and high-end department stores are all starting to advertise traditional New Year's food (o-sechi ryori, 御節料理) and Christmas cakes. Christmas decorations are appearing all over the place - I especially like the two storey tall Christmas tree in the lobby of the main building of my university. It has lights and decorations and is surrounded by poinsettias - very festive and makes me start singing
Most of all, however, its bonenkai (忘年会, lit. "forget the year party") season! You know the company Christmas party that people complain about, because they are worried the boss will get drunk and hit on the interns or the new guy will climb onto the table to serenade the room? Well, Japanese bonenkai can be pretty much guaranteed to include that sort of behaviour because they will always include lots of alcohol. Lots. They often include silly games or other organized antics to make sure that even the timid will embarrass themselves.
Which is why I'm amused at Tokyo Metro's poor excuse for a December manners poster.
Seriously? "Please refrain from drunken behaviour?!" What does Tokyo Metro actually expect to achieve with this poster?
Of course, I'm not saying that I enjoy taking the train when its full of post-bonenkai-ers! Makes me want to change my tune:
Ahem... right... Happy Holidays!
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Ev'rywhere you go;
There's a tree at the university,
Lots in the shops as well...
Most of all, however, its bonenkai (忘年会, lit. "forget the year party") season! You know the company Christmas party that people complain about, because they are worried the boss will get drunk and hit on the interns or the new guy will climb onto the table to serenade the room? Well, Japanese bonenkai can be pretty much guaranteed to include that sort of behaviour because they will always include lots of alcohol. Lots. They often include silly games or other organized antics to make sure that even the timid will embarrass themselves.
Which is why I'm amused at Tokyo Metro's poor excuse for a December manners poster.
Seriously? "Please refrain from drunken behaviour?!" What does Tokyo Metro actually expect to achieve with this poster?
Of course, I'm not saying that I enjoy taking the train when its full of post-bonenkai-ers! Makes me want to change my tune:
Its beginning to smell a lot like Bonenkai-season,
Ev'rywhere you go;
Take a look at the train platform,
Glistening once again,
With salary-men who throw...
Ahem... right... Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
November Manners
As you may have guessed from last month's post, I'm getting bored by the Metro's monthly manners posters. They no longer seem fresh, amusuing, or cute. November's poster is about drunken rowdiness.
Although I'd agree with Greeneyed Geisha and Chris at Hitotoki that the problem isn't people partying on the train, but those taking the train home AFTER having partied!
I now use the Tobu line on a regular basis and am amused by their manners poster series. They are currently on the third in a fairy tale series. August was Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, advocating for not taking up more space than necessary on the seat so that as many people as possible can sit.
September was Cinderella and a plea to stop running for trains about to close their doors.
And October was Little Red Riding Hood and a request to turn down your music and not annoy other passengers.
All of this creative attention being focused on manners? Only in Japan...
Although I'd agree with Greeneyed Geisha and Chris at Hitotoki that the problem isn't people partying on the train, but those taking the train home AFTER having partied!
I now use the Tobu line on a regular basis and am amused by their manners poster series. They are currently on the third in a fairy tale series. August was Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, advocating for not taking up more space than necessary on the seat so that as many people as possible can sit.
September was Cinderella and a plea to stop running for trains about to close their doors.
And October was Little Red Riding Hood and a request to turn down your music and not annoy other passengers.
All of this creative attention being focused on manners? Only in Japan...
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
October's Manners
I downloaded Tokyo Metro's October's manners poster at the start of the month, and kept thinking that I'd come up with something thought provoking or witty to say about it... And then came moving insanity. As I've mentioned before I've moved more times than I can count, and so I really should know how to do it by now. I start off well - putting things in boxes by size and whatnot, wrapping breakables and generally taking care of how I pack. By the time I get to the end, however, I end up just randomly throwing everything into a box and hoping for the best. The only saving grace this time around was that I didn't give up on labeling boxes, so I can find something I need fairly quickly. Since I don't yet have bookcases or other pieces of furniture to hold books and documents I can't really unpack yet. So the boxes remain, randomly being pillaged as needed. More inconvenient, however, is the fact that my apartment is still without a fridge and washing machine (currently staying at the home of a friend who lives nearby but is crazy busy), and gas. I got the internet connected immediately, and figured that the gas could wait until I had time to go and buy a stove top. Sunday was a warm day and, having spent the morning moving boxes, I decided to have a quick shower before I went out for my Thanksgiving dinner. I turned on the water in the tub, waiting for it to get warm... It didn't so I fiddled with it for a few minutes to no avail. I then remembered seeing a panel on the wall in the hall, so I went to check it - sure enough a water heater. So I flicked the switch to 'on' and went back to the bathroom. I gave it another few minutes to warm up, but still nothing. Yeah, I'm a bit slow. It took me a good 5 minutes to realize that the water heater was gas powered and since the gas wasn't connected in my apartment that meant I had no hot water... Sigh. Tokyo Gas is coming today. Just in time too, it has gotten chilly and wet the past few days, perfect weather for soaking in a Japanese tub when you come home from a long day of classes! Trying to get enough warm water to wash when all you have is an electric hot water pot is annoying and time consuming... Just saying!
Anyways, where was I? ... Ah, yes, October manners.
With the distracted-ness inducing piles of boxes around me, my inability to enjoy the wonders of finally having a tub, and having to prepare presentations for my grad courses (one last week, two this week, and one or two next week), my mind just isn't functioning properly. So I'm going to leave you with the thoughts of two other foreign women in Japan/bloggers: Green Eyed Geisha and Geisha Interrupted, and ask you for your thoughts too...
Anyways, where was I? ... Ah, yes, October manners.
With the distracted-ness inducing piles of boxes around me, my inability to enjoy the wonders of finally having a tub, and having to prepare presentations for my grad courses (one last week, two this week, and one or two next week), my mind just isn't functioning properly. So I'm going to leave you with the thoughts of two other foreign women in Japan/bloggers: Green Eyed Geisha and Geisha Interrupted, and ask you for your thoughts too...
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Doin' It Mountain Style
In Canada the start of September means the end of summer. Over the Labour Day long-weekend, families with cabins will go up for one last weekend and then close the place up for the winter, and others will have bbqs on the beach or picnics in the park. It is the last great hurrah before the new school year starts and the entire land turns into a frozen wastland covered in metres of snow - alright, so perhaps not quite thaaat bad, but you get the idea. In Tokyo, on the otherhand, the new school year starts in April, with various levels of schooling having different lengths of summer vacations. The younger kids are all back in school now, but us older kids have a few weeks left. With the pace of my summer so far, I am VERY glad that I still have a few weeks before classes start up.
No matter what the calendar might try to tell you, September is still most definitely summer. The weather is still hot and muggy (although we've been having a lot of torrential rain recently), but there are hints of cooler weather to come. I'm finding the evenings are cooling off, if just a little. The cicadas are still noisy, but they are gradually decreasing in both number and pure volume. Fall is just around the corner - a gorgeous season in this country, with trees a blaze of colour and hordes of people out to enjoy them...
The start of September in Tokyo brigs something else - the newest enstallement of the Metro's monthly manners poster.
Japanese mountain climbers and hikers are world famous (infamous?) for their attention to gear - often brand-new and of top quality. The young couple, presumably on their way to/from a hike, may not be decked out in famous brand-name gear, but they certainly have enough to make up for it! Green Eyed Geisha remarks on the woman's footwear and the increasing creepiness of the older guy in glasses. I've got to admit, however, that I'm beginning to feel more and more sorry for the guy. While those around him are enjoying themselves - going on a date in the mountains, or practicing their surfing moves, or listening to tunes - glasses guy is standing there in the background, reliable and terribly dull. I feel sorry for him, is he too much of a robot not to have things that he enjoys and thereby inconvenience and/or annoy the people around him on the train?
No matter what the calendar might try to tell you, September is still most definitely summer. The weather is still hot and muggy (although we've been having a lot of torrential rain recently), but there are hints of cooler weather to come. I'm finding the evenings are cooling off, if just a little. The cicadas are still noisy, but they are gradually decreasing in both number and pure volume. Fall is just around the corner - a gorgeous season in this country, with trees a blaze of colour and hordes of people out to enjoy them...
The start of September in Tokyo brigs something else - the newest enstallement of the Metro's monthly manners poster.
Japanese mountain climbers and hikers are world famous (infamous?) for their attention to gear - often brand-new and of top quality. The young couple, presumably on their way to/from a hike, may not be decked out in famous brand-name gear, but they certainly have enough to make up for it! Green Eyed Geisha remarks on the woman's footwear and the increasing creepiness of the older guy in glasses. I've got to admit, however, that I'm beginning to feel more and more sorry for the guy. While those around him are enjoying themselves - going on a date in the mountains, or practicing their surfing moves, or listening to tunes - glasses guy is standing there in the background, reliable and terribly dull. I feel sorry for him, is he too much of a robot not to have things that he enjoys and thereby inconvenience and/or annoy the people around him on the train?
Friday, 22 August 2008
Seasonality
As much as I may not want to believe it, and as difficult as I find it to believe, I know it is already late August. I know this because of the hot and muggy weather (ugh!) and because the Tokyo Metro system has unveiled the August addition to their manners campaign. Instead of encouraging people to stay home and enjoy their AC, the Metro is encouraging people to go out and enjoy the beach. They've traded their "Please do it at home." for "Please do it at the beach." The manner-less salary-man demonstrates his surfing moves as he attepts to jump onto the train as the doors are closing, with creepy-glasses-guy watching on in disapproval.
Surfing and beaches - very appropriate for the season. Halloween - not so appropriate.
Hold on... HALLOWEEN?! Wha the....?!
Yup. HALLOWEEN! On my way home today I stopped at the local Daiso - a chain of huge 100 yen shops. The area by the front door is seasonal and is currently full of plastic flowers in overwhelming variety. And, as I discovered to my shock and disbelief, Halloween decorations. I am not kidding, there were shelves of felt decorations, garlands, and random chachkas all sporting jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, and monsters. I would have thought it was just a coincidence but there were also signs reading "Happy Halloween!" and all of the packages included the word "Halloween." I know that people complain holiday items go on display earlier and earlier every year, but Halloween in Augusut? Really??
I walked home shaking my head in disbelief - and attempting to ignore the sudden desire to buy hordes of mini-chocolate bars...
Surfing and beaches - very appropriate for the season. Halloween - not so appropriate.
Hold on... HALLOWEEN?! Wha the....?!
Yup. HALLOWEEN! On my way home today I stopped at the local Daiso - a chain of huge 100 yen shops. The area by the front door is seasonal and is currently full of plastic flowers in overwhelming variety. And, as I discovered to my shock and disbelief, Halloween decorations. I am not kidding, there were shelves of felt decorations, garlands, and random chachkas all sporting jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, and monsters. I would have thought it was just a coincidence but there were also signs reading "Happy Halloween!" and all of the packages included the word "Halloween." I know that people complain holiday items go on display earlier and earlier every year, but Halloween in Augusut? Really??
This is not my local Daiso, nor is it my picture, but it gives you an idea of what I saw...
I walked home shaking my head in disbelief - and attempting to ignore the sudden desire to buy hordes of mini-chocolate bars...
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