John Maeda's blog
Subliminal Message
A lot can be read in a WC sign.
John Maeda 10/31/2007
- 2 Comments
The basic icons of "man" and "woman" are common to any building's signage program to demarcate the location of restrooms. Each country has a different twist on the man and woman. In the United States, the iconified people are normally standing erect and with legs together; in most southern European countries, they stand with legs apart in a relaxed stance. Trendy restaurants around the world like to throw certain twists to make it confusing for their guests, like the restrooms in a Shanghai restaurant that use the man and woman symbols (♂ / ♀); because I can't remember which is which, I had to peek in the bathrooms to see which one had urinals in it. Luckily, both of the restrooms were empty ...
I took the photo of the above sign in Japan. Note that one side has diaper-changing facilities and the other doesn't. A lot is said in such a simple sign.



gabrielg01
450 Comments
Sexist cultural customs
...what the author did not dare say...
Japanese fathers do not take care of their babies. This work is specifically designated to women only.
I wonder, if the wife died where would a Japanese father change the diapers of his kids.
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