Japan Tobacco's Clever and Strange Smoking Manners Signs

By leelefever on February 24, 2008 - 7:38pm.

• Categories:
• communication
• humor
• japan
• travel
• visualthinking
• Comments: 7

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.