Respect at the Heart of Experience

2025-02-19

My trip to Japan challenged my vision of human relationships. I have a Western bias where politeness and conviviality come first. And also a bit of "apéro", but that's another story. What Japan revealed to me was respect for the collective. Everywhere! For example, this Shinkansen conductor bows when entering and leaving. A gesture, simple yet profound, that I couldn't help but film. These moments make me yearn to return, but meanwhile, they inspire a question: What if we integrated this respect into our experiences?

I often prioritized visual impact, playful interaction, and experience fluidity. But the Japanese taught me that technology could also serve collective respect. Imagine a photo booth that would discreetly greet its users, or an interactive kiosk that would elegantly fade away between interactions - Not just a simple function, but a true mark of consideration.

This approach rethinks our event installations. Instead of trying to impress with tablets or omnipresent screens, we should integrate technologies that enhance the experience while remaining discrete and respectful. A presence sensor that subtly adjusts ambient lighting, an interface that naturally adapts to the user's rhythm - all ways to embody this respect in every interaction.

And while respect remains paramount, it doesn't mean we can't create buzz around a pop-up store or meet event KPIs - it's about achieving these goals with elegance rather than intrusion.

As this Shinkansen conductor showed us, respect isn't an option or an added feature - it's the very foundation of a successful experience, whether human or technological.

#EventTech #Omotenashi #RespectfulTech

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