This is the first of the series and will show my top ten favourite signs/public notices that I've snapped whilst out and about in China. Obviously, what makes most of the signs funny is that they have literally been translated from Chinese to English, making for some strange wording, in some cases though its the message itself that I like.
But before we begin our countdown, allow me to use an example of what I mean by 'sign' (just an excuse to post this cracker up again to be honest). This is a photo that was published on this very blog in an entry made in February 2012, called Learning mandarin (not satsuma) This remains a favourite sign of mine, but I have opted to exclude it from my top ten because of it already featuring in a previous blog post.
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| Electricity! Look Out! |
I really love that sign, like you need to react quickly to avoid the electricity that's hurtling its way towards you!
Right so lets begin our countdown, in true 'Top of the Pops' style, we will start from number 10 and work our way up (or should that be down?) to my favourite sign.
Number 10
There are fewer things worse in this world that having your hand pinched and this sign (found in the revolving doors at the Everbright Bank in Xidan, Beijing) is doing its bit to ensure this problem is eradicated. Apologies for the blurriness!
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| Caution Hand Pinching |
Number 9
The Great Wall is one of the most famous tourist attractions on the globe but yet that doesn't mean they have the money to hire a translator, opting presumably to use Google Translate for all their signs as this example of pure gobbledygook attests!
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| Heart cerebral disease sufferer ascend the Great Wall to please watch for |
Number 8
This sign was spotted by my mate James at the Ming Tombs just outside Beijing, I assume doodling is also frowned upon. This is actually a good example of a literal translation I think.
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| No Scribbling. No Climbing |
Number 7
Similarly to Number 8, it has to be assumed this is a literal translation but to me this sign located near to the Forbidden City in Beijing sounds more like a boast than a warning.
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| Relic Protected, No Scratch |
Number 6
I noticed this sign at Chaoyang Park, Beijing when I was taken there by Sam (pictured), a boy I tutor and his family. I think the message that this sign conveys is very important, as not enough is being done to stamp out tarrying, especially in an evacuation process.
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| Emergency exit Don't Tarry |
Number 5
Some of the best signs can be found in toilets around the city. This one found above a urinal in the Joy City Shopping Mall offers up some friendly advice that if followed will make your urinating experience more enjoyable.
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| Closer, Easier |
Number 4
No one likes a tosser and the Chinese are no different. This sign is placed just above an escalator in 77th Street Market, Beijing.
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| No Tossing |
Number 3
This one really tickled me when I saw it in the Grade Two toilets of my school. Its very inspirational but bear in mind this sign is hanging up on a toilet wall! Just in case you can't read it, it says - "Keep staying for a while. Do not leave until you have finished it."
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| Keep staying for a while. Do not leave until you have finished it. |
Number 2
Yet another sign I've snapped in above a urinal, what must I look like? This gem can be found in Beijing Zoo. It reads "This is what I've always wanted to talk to you: Urinating into the pool you are the best"
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| This is what I've always wanted to talk to you: Urinating into the pool you are the best |
This one was pointed out to me by my housemate Kevin when we went for a meeting in an office building. It's sound advice because if you are planning on slipping, you should always do it carefully.
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| Slip Carefully |
