Comments on: How not to talk to the public http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/ Language and writing on the web and beyond Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:35:20 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mulberries http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Mulberries Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:09:18 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-127 Exactly! I don't know what I find more distasteful - the use of the direct imperative, or the horrid asterisk masquerading as an o. Exactly! I don't know what I find more distasteful – the use of the direct imperative, or the horrid asterisk masquerading as an o.

]]> By: Angus Gordon http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-126 Angus Gordon Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:01:36 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-126 That's hilarious...maybe it's supposed to imply swearing? (D*n't f^ck%ng t@ke !t out on our staff! You pack of $@#%@s!) That's hilarious…maybe it's supposed to imply swearing? (D*n't f^ck%ng t@ke !t out on our staff! You pack of $@#%@s!)

]]> By: Mulberries http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Mulberries Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:54:36 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-125 Not only is there a diamond-shaped dot on the i, the sign seems to have evolved somewhat... yikes, they've even included an @ in "take". Oh dear! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53347418%40N00/3737626023/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/53347418@N00/37376...</a> Not only is there a diamond-shaped dot on the i, the sign seems to have evolved somewhat… yikes, they've even included an @ in “take”. Oh dear! http://www.flickr.com/photos/53347418@N00/37376...

]]> By: julette alexander http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-122 julette alexander Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:17:21 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-122 I am a fare avoider. Twice. Because there is something very wrong with the fare paying system. Once when it started raining I jumped on a tram to find that I had no small money to pay. I asked loudly if anyone had any change and was greeted with blank looks. The second time was after a function in the city on Saturday night when the taxis we booked did not turn up and no other taxis available and again the same problem. So much easier if a credit card option was given. I am a fare avoider. Twice. Because there is something very wrong with the fare paying system. Once when it started raining I jumped on a tram to find that I had no small money to pay. I asked loudly if anyone had any change and was greeted with blank looks. The second time was after a function in the city on Saturday night when the taxis we booked did not turn up and no other taxis available and again the same problem. So much easier if a credit card option was given.

]]> By: Teresa http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Teresa Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:10:57 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-79 This is a fairly interesting conversation. I guess we are out of it here in medium sized city in upstate New York, with our buses that practically anyone who works anywhere can ride for nothing, since many employers subsidize this to encourage bus riding. Although the buses are rapidly gaining ridership lately, and that may change. But still the traffic is light [we have a "rush minute" at around 5:00 o'clock ;-) ], and the distances not so far that even with buses being crowded it doesn't last long enough for assault, normally. I agree, Angus, on that badly worded sign about the assaulting (and INsulting?) commuters. They'd be better off with: "Before shoving a transit cop, please consider your motivation". Cheers! Happy Ch'mas. T. This is a fairly interesting conversation. I guess we are out of it here in medium sized city in upstate New York, with our buses that practically anyone who works anywhere can ride for nothing, since many employers subsidize this to encourage bus riding. Although the buses are rapidly gaining ridership lately, and that may change. But still the traffic is light [we have a "rush minute" at around 5:00 o'clock ;-) ], and the distances not so far that even with buses being crowded it doesn’t last long enough for assault, normally.

I agree, Angus, on that badly worded sign about the assaulting (and INsulting?) commuters. They’d be better off with: “Before shoving a transit cop, please consider your motivation”.

Cheers!

Happy Ch’mas.

T.

]]> By: Angus Gordon http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-78 Angus Gordon Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:13:25 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-78 Exactly Jarrett, it's about being seen to "take action" regardless of whether the action actually accomplishes anything. Exactly Jarrett, it’s about being seen to “take action” regardless of whether the action actually accomplishes anything.

]]> By: Jarrett http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Jarrett Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:44:47 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-77 Unfortunately, signage of this type is increasingly common in big transit systems worldwide. Issues of safety from angry customers often bubble up into industrial negotiations in transit agencies, and these signs are a fairly easy thing for the agency to do to appear concerned and try to help. Unfortunately, signage of this type is increasingly common in big transit systems worldwide. Issues of safety from angry customers often bubble up into industrial negotiations in transit agencies, and these signs are a fairly easy thing for the agency to do to appear concerned and try to help.

]]> By: Angus Gordon http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Angus Gordon Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:29:58 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-76 Thanks for the comment Bronwen. Actually I did think of comparing this with the fare-evader karma campaign. You're right that I like the latter a lot more. Whatever you think about the overall strategy of targetting fare evaders when the public transport system itself is so broken, I like the fact that it's done humorously, portraying fare evaders as flawed rather than monstrous, and suggesting that you should pay your fare because it's the right thing to do, not out of fear of getting caught. I might write at greater length about that campaign some other time. Thanks for the comment Bronwen. Actually I did think of comparing this with the fare-evader karma campaign. You’re right that I like the latter a lot more. Whatever you think about the overall strategy of targetting fare evaders when the public transport system itself is so broken, I like the fact that it’s done humorously, portraying fare evaders as flawed rather than monstrous, and suggesting that you should pay your fare because it’s the right thing to do, not out of fear of getting caught.

I might write at greater length about that campaign some other time.

]]> By: Bronwen http://usablewords.com/blog/how-not-to-talk-to-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Bronwen Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:28:25 +0000 http://usablewords.com/blog/?p=62#comment-75 As you've alluded to, design-wise (and ignoring the actual content issues) that needs to have the whole first sentence one size and then the "We press for the strongest..." smaller, but bigger than it is. I mean, my first instinct [having a dirty mind and all] would be to laugh and think "Don't take it out... [mental fill-in:] flashing other passengers not allowed". And the colouring makes me want a Violet Crumble. Which ironically we used to call "violent grumble". Speaking of public transport advertising, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the recurring Metlink fare-evader karma campaign [http://www.karmacentral.com.au/] I think they probably escape a lot of your criticisms for the Tube's campaign [specifying the fare evader rather than seeming to criticise all travellers] and I find them mostly amusing, but would be good to see a copywriter's take on them :o) As you’ve alluded to, design-wise (and ignoring the actual content issues) that needs to have the whole first sentence one size and then the “We press for the strongest…” smaller, but bigger than it is.

I mean, my first instinct [having a dirty mind and all] would be to laugh and think “Don’t take it out… [mental fill-in:] flashing other passengers not allowed”.

And the colouring makes me want a Violet Crumble. Which ironically we used to call “violent grumble”.

Speaking of public transport advertising, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the recurring Metlink fare-evader karma campaign [http://www.karmacentral.com.au/] I think they probably escape a lot of your criticisms for the Tube’s campaign [specifying the fare evader rather than seeming to criticise all travellers] and I find them mostly amusing, but would be good to see a copywriter’s take on them :o )

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