There is no doubt that Japanese people are losing their good manners. Alarmed, the government and private organizations are doing their part to encourage the public to "manner up!" by displaying posters and signs. These signs, probably designed by elementary school teachers with a grudge, seem to be everywhere: "Please line up and wait your turn." "Don't cut in line." "Don't push to get on the train." "Is your smoking bothering the person next to you?"

Train stations, with nice big walls, have become giant public service announcements. In an effort to get people to "manner up," Japan Railways has a poster campaign that encourages good manners on the train by getting people to act more like, um, animals. Yes, these posters suggest we could be more polite by becoming more animalistic.

I first noticed this campaign when I saw a poster of a giant gray rabbit talking on a cell phone -- or should I say sniffing on a cell phone. "Wow, technology has really advanced," I thought. "I didn't even know there were cell phones for rabbits these days. I've got to get off my island more often." Then I read the print at the bottom of the poster telling people to switch their phones to "manner mode" while riding the train. Oh, silly me. Rabbits and manner mode, why didn't I get the connection sooner? Manner up, manner mode.