THE MAINICHI / KYODO (Japan)

TOKYO - Japan's low cost carrier Skymark Airlines has found a new and unusual way to cut costs. Since May, passengers have been advised not to complain or to ask for help on board, and crew members have been told not to be helpful or nice.

The airline hopes to save money by "simplifying services." A brochure placed in the airplanes' seat pockets explains to the passengers that they aren't allowed to complain while on the plane – if they have an issue, they can call customer service after the flight has landed. Skymark Airlines also doesn't ask its crew "to use polite words' when speaking to the passengers and tells them not to help load bags into the overhead bins, The Mainichi reports.

In a country where politeness and protocol are the pillars of society, a way of life, Skymark's idea for cost cutting is quite a revolution. Some are worried this might put a dent into Japanese airlines' pristine reputation.

Photo from Geofrog