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Ramon Amira

 

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

FUNNY SIGNS 

Some years ago, I had a friend who traveled the world on business. In every country he went to, in hotels, restaurants, parks, etc., he kept seeing signs and notices written in fractured English. He started copying them down, and compiled a list, which at one point he sent to me. I just came across it rummaging through a pile of old papers. It was very faded, but still just barely legible. This was too good to lose, so I am re-typing the list into WORD.

Given the state the world is in these days, I think we could all use a few laughs. Below is the first page of the list that he had sent to me. I'll post the rest when I can copy them.

- Signs of the Times -

In a Tokyo hotel room: Is forbitten to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis.

In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

In a Japanese hotel room: You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

In a Leipzig elevator: Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up.

In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move the cabin push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.

In a Paris hotel: Please leave your values at the front desk.

In a hotel in Athens: Guests are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.

In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

Outside a Paris dress shop: Dresses for street walking.

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday.

In an Austrian hotel catering to skiers: Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.

On the menu of a Polish hotel: Salad a firm's own make; limpid red beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; roasted duck let loose; beef rashers beaten up in the country people's fashion.

In a Hong Kong supermarket: For your convenience we recommend courageous, efficient self-service.

Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies may have a fit upstairs.

In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results.

In a Rhodes tailor shop: Order your summers suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.

Similarly, from the Soviet Weekly: There will be a Moscow Exhibition of Arts by 15.000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.

In an East African newspaper: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers.



More to come . . . . .


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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 19 2010 15:07:22
 
Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

These are really excellent howlers PC.

It would make a great radio programme.


cheers,

Ron
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 19 2010 15:15:26
 
rombsix

Posts: 7808
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira



_____________________________

Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 19 2010 15:16:17
 
fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

This my favorite!

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 19 2010 20:43:02
 
Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to fevictor

quote:

This my favorite!




That puts me in mind of some of the Japanese electronic equipment Service Manuals.
A total nightmare to make any sense of.

cheers,

Ron
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 20 2010 13:39:25
 
Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to fevictor

Oh yes, I've always been fascinated by concurrently accelerating tea taste leaching.

That site is a goldmine, there's always something that will give you a good laugh.

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Me da igual. La música es música.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 20 2010 15:19:02
 
Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

Here is a road sign on the entrance to the Albaicin on the cuesta de chapiteles warning English speakers of how narrow the road gets...always makes me chuckle



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 20 2010 15:36:12
 
ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

great stuff, thanks for sharing
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 20 2010 17:28:04
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira



PC... i can't thank you enough. I am still laughing and so is everyone i "had" to share it with.

Are you in fact a music critic, and if so which publication(s) do you work with?

I am often interviewed by newspapers, magazines and blogs, on Fashion Law. For your and the general amusement my most recent, yet quite de minimis, contribution
BUSINESS | September 20, 2010
Bucks: The Legality of Copying Your Favorite Clothes
http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/the-legality-of-copying-your-favorite-clothes/?emc=eta1

_____________________________

gj Michelob
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 15:45:54
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to gj Michelob

i hope you dont mind i pasted the signs on my facebook for my friends to see...its hilarious

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 16:10:24
 
Ramon Amira

 

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Florian

quote:

i hope you dont mind i pasted the signs on my facebook for my friends to see...its hilarious


Feel free to post it anywhere – as I said, everyone could use a few good laughs these days. As soon as I get a little time to copy it I will post Page Two of the list – just as funny as Page One.

_____________________________

Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 19:19:27
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

quote:

Feel free to post it anywhere


After sharing it with some clients, a major publication suggested it may do an article about the subject. It is really a funny side of the world we all encounter at some point.

I want to give you credit for your effort which brought to light these gems.

_____________________________

gj Michelob
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 20:30:00
 
Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

quote:

As soon as I get a little time to copy it I will post Page Two of the list – just as funny as Page One.

Thanks, PC, looking forward to it, great stuff.
Reminds me of Gerard Hoffnung's classic "letters from Tyrolean hoteliers" that included these gems:

"Standing among savage scenery, the hotel offers stupendous revelations. There is a French widow in every bedroom, affording delightful prospects."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are a few items I saw on menus in Spain this summer. Those menus that have an English version usually include a few things that are either amusing or baffling or both:

Of Chops Pig with Chips

Of Chops Lamú with Salad and Chips

Al Coin Garlic [= Lomo al ajillo]

Veal to the Iron [= ternera a la plancha]

Potatoes to the Poor Thing [= papas a lo pobre]

(and when all else fails, its:)

Back to garlic [= Lomo al ajillo]

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Me da igual. La música es música.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 20:43:55
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to gj Michelob

quote:

Feel free to post it anywhere


You have been busy. Googling "The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable" returns 88,500 results alone.

And the others appear on many, many, many sites e.g.

http://www.lynn-rick.com/you_are_invited_to_take_advantage_of_the_chambermaid.htm
http://www.world-english.org/globalenglish.htm
http://www.canada-esl.com/lessonsmain/signs.html
http://www.stupidsigns.350.com/
http://www.i18nguy.com/hotelsigns.html
http://strangeplaces.net/weirdthings/signs.html

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 21:07:40
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

Here's one I took a photo of near my local store - collecting for developing countries. Helps if you are American I guess



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 21:19:54
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: FUNNY SIGNS ??? by Richard Leder... (in reply to Ramon Amira

Prominent Critic, did you make up the story about your friend and you diligently typing these “quotes” from (unless you are or your friend is) Richard Lederer.

Here are the exact same you reported, from the book "Anguished English" by Richard Lederer (1989).
http://www.i18nguy.com/hotelsigns.html

I am glad I checked, how silly of me to give you credit.

***
In a Tokyo Hotel: It is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do such thing is please not to read notis.
In another Japanese hotel room: Please to bathe inside the tub.
In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.
In a Leipzig elevator: Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up.
In a Belgrade hotel elevator: To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.
In a Paris hotel elevator: Please leave your values at the front desk.
In a hotel in Athens: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.
In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.
In a Japanese hotel: You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastary: You are welcome to visit the cemetary where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday.
In an Austrian hotel catering to skiers: Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.
On the menu of a Polish hotel: Salad a firm's own make; limpid red beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; roasted duck let loose; beef rashers beaten up in the country people's fashion.
In a Hong Kong supermarket: For your convenience, we recommend coureous, efficient self-service.
Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies may have a fit upstairs.
In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results.
Outside a Paris dress shop: Dresses for street walking.
In a Rhodes tailor shop: Order your summers suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.
Similarly, from the Soviet Weekly: There will be a Moscow Exhibition af Arts by 15000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.
In an East African newspaper: A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of their workers.
In a Vienna hotel: In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter.
A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest: It is strictly forbidden on our black forest camping site that people of different sex, for instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are married with each other for that purpose.
In a Zurich hotel: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.
In an advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist: Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists.
A translated sentence from a Russian chess book: A lot of water has been passed under the bridge since this variation has been played.
In a Rome laundry: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time.
In a Czechoslovakian tourist agency: Take one of our horse-driven city tours -- we guarantee no miscarriages.
Advertisement for donkey rides in Thailand: Would you like to ride on your own ass?
On the faucet in a Finnish washroom: To stop the drip, turn cock to right.
In the window of a Swedish furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.
On the box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong: Guaranteed to work throughout its useful life.
Detour sign in Kyushi, Japan: Stop: Drive Sideways.
In a Swiss mountain inn: Special today -- no ice cream.
In a Bangkok temple: It is forbidden to enter a woman even a foreigner if dressed as a man.
In a Tokyo bar: Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts.
In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We take your bags and send them in all directions.
On the door of a Moscow hotel room: If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.
In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.
At a Budapest zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.
In the office of a Roman doctor: Specialist in women and other diseases.
In an Acapulco hotel: The manager has personally passed all the water served here.
In a Tokyo shop: Our nylons cost more than common, but you'll find they are best in the long run.

_____________________________

gj Michelob
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 21:23:05
 
at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Estevan

quote:

Veal to the Iron [= ternera a la plancha]


haha i think i remember that one.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 21:40:19
 
Ramon Amira

 

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: FUNNY SIGNS ??? by Richard Leder... (in reply to gj Michelob

quote:

Prominent Critic, did you make up the story about your friend and you diligently typing these “quotes” from (unless you are or your friend is) Richard Lederer.


MICHELOB –

I assure you I did not make up anything, and did in fact copy these from the list he had sent me many years ago, which preceded that Richard Lederer book. I have the original list he sent me, and would be happy to show it to anyone who would like to see it. As I said elsewhere, one look at the paper it is on would leave no doubt whatever about its age.

I went through this when I posted the list on Delcamp website. I have much better things to do than make up stories for no reason. If I had seen that list elsewhere I could have just posted it – it would still have been just as funny. I copied that from the list that my friend had sent to me around 1985, and he was the original compiler of that list. I have never seen it on the internet or elsewhere, nor have I heard of it since he originally sent it to me.

His sister had sent the list to a travel magazine which published it. Apparently what happened over the years – which I never knew about – was that these had then been picked up and published elsewhere, and so became widely disseminated, and it seems they eventually wound up on the internet, which I guess was inevitable. But my friend, who was actually the brother of my girl friend at the time, was the original compiler of this list.

If anyone wants to read the exchange I had with someone on Delcamp, you can read it here:

http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?p=573765#p573765

Why on earth would I need to waste my time prefacing my post with a concocted story, when all I had to do was just post this to share it if I had seen it elsewhere - just as many of you have posted it to share it. One of our members has mentioned to me that he will be in New York for a visit, and we hope to get together. I will show him the original list on ancient badly faded paper turning brown.

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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 21 2010 23:20:24
 
Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to at_leo_87

quote:

quote:
Veal to the Iron [= ternera a la plancha]

haha i think i remember that one.

Here's one I got from a menu in Peru; "lomo a la paila" came out as

Beefsteak in frying pain

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Me da igual. La música es música.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 22 2010 15:09:47
 
fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

In Costa Rica and Nicaragua a typical breakfast is "Gallo Pinto" with eggs. Gallo Pinto is just basically rice and beans, mixed together, with red pepper, cilantro and onion. Most people just call it "Pinto".

There is a restaurant in town, here is Costa Rica, that has a breakfast menu in English that reads:

"I paint with eggs"
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 22 2010 15:15:15
 
Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to fevictor

quote:

"I paint with eggs"

Brilliant! No pain involved - would go well with some "potatoes to the poor thing"


(Then again, I used to know an artist who painted with eggs).

_____________________________

Me da igual. La música es música.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 22 2010 16:05:57
 
Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ron.M

quote:

That puts me in mind of some of the Japanese electronic equipment Service Manuals.

Or a sales pitch from a Chinese guitar factory (not so much funny language as funny business):

"All of my product are 100% same as the photos, what you see is what you get!
Because our continuously updating, sporadically has a little lack of size or item, We'll tell to you in the first time. For avoid exceptional question, please ensure reply to me before our stock up. Otherwise the order will can't go on wheels. "

"This guitar is of the finest , and yet it is only fraction of the cost that you would normally pay. You may be wondering how such an amazing product could be so cheap, It is possible because it has been manufactured in China. You know that China's work force are very famous, cheaper and quality is very rigorous, so lots of famous Brand CO. Are choose China for a manufacture base, this is why China can have so many, these just are the overproduction, the quality is + + +. so please feel free to put order with us."

MANUEL CONTRERAS Acoustic GUITAR IN NATURAL

Keen observers will note from the label that Manuel Contreras has changed his name to "Floda" (Florian - you in on this?), but "what you see is what you get!" , and:

"We will offer you full refunds only the item you received is different with the description"



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Me da igual. La música es música.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 23 2010 16:59:30
 
Argaith

Posts: 481
Joined: May 6 2009
From: Iran (living in London)

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

There are loads of funny ones here: www.engrish.com
Have fun

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 1 2010 8:03:20
 
Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: FUNNY SIGNS (in reply to Ramon Amira

The photo is not on this computer, but my companion took one of me seated outdoors at a cafe in Jerez de la Frontera, holding the "Whine List".

And here is a near miss in the train station restroom at Nagano, Japan:

http://flic.kr/p/4Uqk2u

RNJ
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 1 2010 16:04:41
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