A bit of an international flavour for this post...
We've all seen them on our travels, and had a chuckle, haven't we? Signs, menus, notices... all written in English for our benefit, and all we can do is dissolve into hysterics?!
Well, here is a selection of some real gems...
In a Bangkok Temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.
In a Norwegian Cocktail Lounge:
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.
In a Doctor's Office in Rome:
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.
In a Dry Cleaners in Bangkok:
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS!
In a Nairobi Restaurant:
CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE, OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.
On the main road to Mombasa, leaving Nairobi:TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.
On a poster at in Kenya:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.
In a Restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
In a Cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS, FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.
In a Tokyo Hotel bedroom:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE, OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.
On the menu in a Swiss Restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.
In a Tokyo Bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.
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 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 a Black Forest Campsite:
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 THIS 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 a Donkey Rides establishment in Thailand:
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?
In a Danish Airline Ticket Office:
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
In a Laundry in Rome:
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND THEN SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME.
In a shop window in Abu Dhabi:
IF THE FRONT IS CLOSED PLEASE ENTER THROUGH MY BACKSIDE…
We know we shouldn't laugh - after all, we know what they mean, and they have taken the trouble to write the sign in English... but it's always nice to see how things can gain a lot in translation?!
If you're fascinated by the wonderful world of words... read on and enjoy!
