Erica and I have done quite a bit of traveling over the past several years and while we always appreciate people’s attempts to put signage in English, sometimes we are left to guess the true meaning a sign is trying to convey.
When a non-native English speaker translates something from their native language into English, there is an ever-present danger of getting it exactly right but oh so wrong!
Here are a few examples gleaned for your enjoyment;
Japanese hotel room – You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid
Paris hotel elevator – Please leave your values at the front desk
Tokyo hotel – It is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not a person to do such a thing is please not read this notice
Bucharest hotel – The list is being fixed for the next day. During this time you will be unbearable
Leipzig elevator – Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up
Athens hotel – Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11am daily
Belgrade 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 then going alphabetically in national order.
Sarajevo hotel – The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid
Moscow hotel – You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday
Swiss menu – Our wines leave you nothing to hope for
Hong Kong tailors shop – Ladies may have a fit upstairs
Bangkok dry cleaners – Drop your trousers here for best results
Paris dress shop – Dresses for street walking
Rhodes tailor shop – Order your summer suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation
Hong Kong advert – Teeth extracted by the latest methodists
Rome laundary – Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time
Swiss mountain inn – Special today… no ice cream
Copenhagen airline – We take your bags and send them in all directions
Moscow hotel – If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it
Norwegian lounge – Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar
Tokyo shop – Our nylons cost more than common but they are better for the long run
Acapulco hotel – The manager has personally passed all the water served here
Do you have any funny signs / sayings that you’ve spotted on your travels?
Hi! I'm Steve Webel and this is my blog. Thanks for stopping by!
Steve, I liked the park in China, “The grass’s up-growing can’t leave your blessing and good care.”
Wait … you’ve seen all of those? Those are absolutely HILARIOUS!!!
No, I gathered them from the web, but I can certainly relate to all of them…