Japanese bar district gets bilingual wristbands to gauge revellers’ mood
Six colour-coded wristbands help drinkers start or avoid conversations in Noge, a neighbourhood in Yokohama dotted with bars and pubs
Looking for drinking partners or just want to be left alone? In Noge, a Japanese neighbourhood in Yokohama with more than 600 bars and pubs, you can don a wristband and indicate your mood without having to say a word.
Called Tonight’s Wristband, or Konya no Wristband in Japanese, they were developed by a sake-loving American expatriate woman living in Yokohama, Tokyo-based news site Sora News24 reported.
Each band is written in both English and Japanese, and declares what sort of mood the drinker is in.
There are six in total, colour-coded like traffic lights.
The two declarations on the green bands are “Just looking to have a fun chat about anything today!” and “Care to join me for a cheers?”.
The yellow bands, which focus on conversational topics, are especially suited for those new in town or to the bar. They let staff or regulars know the wearers are looking for recommendations on what to see and drink in Yokohama.
Finally, the red bands act as non-verbal do-not-disturb signs. They read, “Just having a quiet night tonight” and “Just enjoying a drink” but, in typical Japanese manner, end with a polite “Thanks!”.