Posters demanding that people silence their phones have appeared in the Berlin metro, featuring aggressive messages in German, Arabic, and Russian, but the city's transport company claims no affiliation.
In February, a series of provocative posters surfaced in the Berlin metro, urging commuters in German, Arabic, and Russian to silence their mobile devices. Messages included phrases such as 'Are you stupid? Turn off your phone sound' in German and 'Show some respect, you fool! Turn your phone quieter' in Russian. The visuals vary, with some depicting a broken mobile screen and others a smiling elderly woman, alongside the logo of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), the company responsible for public transport in Berlin.
Despite the recognizable branding, BVG representatives have stated they have no connection to these posters. The first appearances of these advertisements were reported on February 21, with BVG declaring the removal of all related displays three days later. The lack of clarity surrounding the source of this initiative has raised questions, with social media users speculating about its origins and motivations.
Eyewitness accounts have indicated that the posters were installed by individuals associated with the advertising company 'Die Draussenwerber', prompting further discussions about unauthorized advertising practices and the provocative nature of these appeals to public behavior in one of Europe's busiest metro systems. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding mobile phone use in public spaces and the appropriateness of such aggressive messaging.
