26 May, 2009

Signage

note: JTMIJ will not be published on this Friday.  JTMIJ is deeply sorry, really.  

In case you were thinking that there are lots of rude folks in Japan, I have to say that you are dead wrong.  And here is some evidence.

This is perhaps one of the most polite signs in the world:

"As we are working with safety as our top priority, please forgive us. WE ARE REALLY SORRY for the inconvenience caused".  


Not only is the man bowing, but he has taken his hat off.  

Is this good health and safety practice?  I don't know.  Maybe he is standing in a specially-designated bowing zone. 

However, at any rate, it is fairly polite.  Do compare this to local signs around you.  I seem to remember that in the UK there is a lot of Health & Safety Act action, but this is generally a poster with a book of not very cheerful government rules splatted onto it, or a message delivered over public address system in the voice of Disinterested Sainsury's Checkout Announcer.

And this reminds me a little of the market - always pay attention to the signs.
Posted by at
Labels: ,

1 comment:

  1. johnMay 27, 2009 at 12:44 AM

    i feel like trying to analyse the sychology of a culture where such politeness is used in such places.

    Thinking what would cause some construction company put signs equivalent to this up around them, it must either be that they really respect their local people and are truly sorry for the inconveniance they may cause (pre-process action), or they are used to getting so many complaints in the past that it has become an industry do-do (post-process action (i know there is a better word for this but can't think of it right now)).

    For it to be the latter (is what i think) and for there to be a meaningful difference between Japan and the UK, it would have to be that either companies take more regard to complaints, or there are more complaints.

    There is the idea of course of what people in various contries consider to be a 'complaint'. Can we assume they are always verbal to some extent? (not assuming Japanese people are magically self-aware, perhaps the opposite is true and they are simply magically self-depracating?).

    Anyhoo, it's probably more likely to be a requiredment of the "When Building Something Put Up Signs With Cartoonish Characters Showing Apology Through Bowing" Law. Passed Showa '61.

    A reply from the market analyst?

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)