On Fri, 09 May 2008 21:10:07 +0100, Arthur Figgis
wrote:

John B wrote:
On 9 May, 12:33, Boltar wrote:
the system should go out of its way to accommodate them. As it is, TfL
does allow people who are clueless about the system to use it, but
imposes a fee for the inconvenience they cause.
That kind of arrogant attitude just about sums you and your fellow TfL
apologists up. I rest my case.

I look forward to meeting you next time I'm in Toyko, ranting about
the arrogance of the subway company as you struggle to find the exit.

If Tokyo (or for that matter Timbuktu, Ulan Bator or Glasgow) don't use
some kind of obvious pictogram or distinctive sign for the way out, I'd
say they were being a bit odd - not least on safety grounds.

I've never been to Japan, but do they not transliterate the station
names into the Roman alphabet? Thailand does. Or just use a (western)
alphanumeric code, which I've met somewhere.

You are lulled into a slightly false sense of security by the Japanese
Railway system. I caught the Narita Express into Tokyo - the ticket
transaction, journey etc was all absolutely fine. I had to change in
Tokyo in the rush hour (!) to reach my final stop. Through luck rather
than any sense of planning the adjacent platform to where the NE stopped
was for a limited stop commuter service which went directly to the
station I wanted. Signage on the Tokyo rail system (in Tokyo itself)
certainly had roman lettering as well as kanji. Platform indicators
were also bi-lingual which helped enormously. However there isn't much
other English around - I walked past the JR office at Ikebukuro 3 times
before realising what it was. I had to get a voucher exchanged for a
Japan Rail Pass. Overall though railway staff were unfailingly helpful
and polite as were the Japanese themselves. Tokyo is quite overwhelming
even if you're used to London's scale of movement / commuting. I was a
little disorientated for a few days but I would certainly go back now
I've got over the initial learning curve. Objective for the next visit -
be brave enough to use a bus ;-)

Being used to Singapore and Hong Kong I had an unrealistic expectation
of how easy Tokyo would be. The main railway lines and Metro were fine -
however I did not venture on to the private lines or into the suburbs
where I expect the language on signs issue would tilt very heavily
towards Japanese only. If nothing else it made me appreciate how
strange it must be for the Japanese when they come to the west and see
very little of their own culture around them.

--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!