Signs of the Times: At a loss for words….

Posted on June 28, 2013 by sglaser

These “clouds” or “thought bubbles” are stationed along the exit of Denver International Airport in Colorado, USA. These have the potential to be really cool signs and make people think about….SOMETHING. But they are blank. Empty. Random.

The State of Colorado or City of Denver could easily use them as marketing tools. For example: Cloud #1: It may be really flat right here… Cloud #2: But just wait…Cloud #3: We do have mountains, seriously.”

Signs of the Times: “Look, Here’s the Deal, Dumb Drivers…”

Posted on June 9, 2013 by sglaser

Highway 285, Colorado, USA. There must be a point when sign writers (especially traffic sign writers) get tired of stating the same message over and over and having drivers ignore the advice. That’s why the sign above is particularly funny. It’s got voice and attitude. Here are the signs that lead up to this flashing beauty.

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Signs of the Times: “Leave your fancy footwear behind — oh, and your feet, too.”

Posted on May 19, 2013 by sglaser

Yangon, Myanmar. I love this sign, and it’s actually pretty famous in terms of funny mistranslations from around the world. Good family friends visited Burma earlier this year and took this photo. I’ve since seen it in Lonely Planet’s Signspotting and other blogs. I think it goes particularly well with the photo below.

McDonald’s, Colorado Springs, CO, USA. This completely cracked me up. I can’t imagine running in heels after toddlers in the first place. In fact, I only started wearing wedge sandals and heels occasionally when with my kids about one year ago (and only on completely sturdy surfaces.) Being a geeky English teacher, I also noticed that an unnecessary apostrophe appears with Moms. The poor apostrophe — it’s so misused. However, that’s a different post.

Signs of the Times — Please and thank you kindly, Pain-In-The-Butt People!

Posted on May 11, 2013 by sglaser

©Stephanie Glaser 2013

So many signs are straightforward, indifferent and lack personality. The following messages are actually quite polite and even include script writing or a fancy insignia (above at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas). However, there’s just a slight edge in the voice that borders on sarcasm — a sort of yes, we must be polite to you imbeciles. Or I could just be reading way too much into these signs. It’s entirely possible since I just spent the last ten years teaching high school literature.

East Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia. I can just hear what the sign maker of this Coles store really wants to write with this one: okay, hooligans, no joyriding, no racing or using as a moving van.

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Travel Oops: Signs of the Times — “Huh…That’s an Interesting Name”

Posted on April 27, 2013 by sglaser

Tanning a hide in Marrakech © Donar Reiskoffer

“That’s an interesting name” is code for “Wow that’s an odd, quirky or WTF name.” Celebrities, of course, are notorious for giving their kids “unique” names such as Camera, Apple, Rocket, Daisy Boo, Tallulah Belle, Audio Science, Moon Unit…the list goes on. But eventually the kids can use nicknames, (although App is still rather “interesting”) change their names or flip off the paparazzi if the camerapeople ask how the tweens like their given names.

However, when businesses carefully select a name, it’s usually emblazoned on a large sign or spelled out in huge neon letters. And unintended associations and connotations can linger for a long time. Check out the above tanning salon, Tan Your Hide. Yes, it’s a tongue-in-cheek name. Actually tanning your hide is pictured above and to the left, and why wouldn’t you want to do that to yourself in a little cooking capsule?

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Signs of the Times: Wildlife? Really?

Posted on April 20, 2013 by sglaser

Pikes Peak Parking Lot, Denver International Airport, United States. Often people think of Colorado as an idyllic setting for wildlife. However, usually an airport parking lot is not part of the wildlife landscape. I guess you never know — some bunny or bird of prey with longing in their eyes may approach, prompting you to give them some “drive-thru” McDonald’s morsels.

Cars parked in the Pikes Peak parking lot © Stephanie Glaser

Driving on plenty of wildlife friendly asphalt. © Stephanie Glaser

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Signs of the Times: Beavis and Butt-head, This is for You Guys

Posted on April 6, 2013 by sglaser

Adelaide, Australia. Although I love Asian food, my inner adolescent boy came out strong with this one. I used to drive by this sign daily on my way to work. Kurt, the kids and I ate at A Dong a few times and I highly recommend the restaurant. In fact, I always wished I had taken a photo of the establishment before we left at the end of 2010. However, upon returning to Adelaide last month, I had a mission. While doing this post, I checked to see if there was a translation for A Dong from Vietnamese to English and could not find one. So, that still leaves the original connotation alive.

Signs of the Times: “Dumb Ways to Die” – a Twisted (yet fun) Train Safety Campaign in Melbourne

Posted on April 2, 2013 by sglaser

Metro Train Stations, Melbourne, Australia. While waiting for a train at the Flinders Street Station, I noticed a rather interesting piece of art by the bathrooms. A partial skeleton was somewhat incinerated after sticking a fork in a toaster. I didn’t think too much about it other than: “hmmm that’s a bit odd.”

Then a large mural caught my eye. My sister, Suzanne, was checking it out as well. Cute little jellybean characters all stood around proclaiming “I solemnly swear to be safe around trains.” At the bottom of the mural was a series of dashed lines in the shape of a person. It’s an outline that you tell your kid to go stand next to for a photo op.

Upon further inspection, we realized that all the cute jellybeans were enduring horrific deaths — all while smiling in good fun. I believe the metaphor of “train wreck” is fairly appropriate at this ironic morbid moment. Fascinated, we tried to guess the culprits of the killings.

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Signs of the Times: “Sorry, Christ the Redeemer, You are not Authorized”

Posted on March 23, 2013 by sglaser

Ski Cooper, Colorado. When I first saw this sign, I immediately thought of the famous Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue in Rio de Janeiro. Really, the sign, I believe, is meant to say children or babies are not allowed. Then, I thought how would a baby even walk over there and open the door in the first place.

Signs of the Times: David “Creeperfield” Stares You Down in Las Vegas

Posted on March 15, 2013 by sglaser

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Forget Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. David Copperfield rules over Las Vegas (apparently, according to his website, he was knighted by France and the US LIbrary of Congress considers him to be a “living legend.”)

Currently he is booked at the MGM Grand, but he is everywhere in LV. At least his eyes are. If you thought the Mona Lisa’s eyes look everywhere, remember she is 30″ by 20 7/8″ and kept behind a glass case. David Copperfield is emblazoned on several sides of a very large building. He’s also on posters, billboards and cabs. So he stalks you with his unsettling stare.

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