Thursday, December 29, 2011

Lost in Translation


    One of my favorite parts of living in Japan is coming across all of the funny ways english has been butchered in translation, or the way english is put together, but just isn't quite right. Tonight we went out to dinner with some good friends and afterward we enjoyed strolling though one of the local shopping centers called the Friesta. Along the way we found a a set of 3 earrings, (never 4, because that is bad luck) two of which were miniature cigarette packs labeled "Morlbo". The third earring was a very small sign that said, "No Smorking!" They were so small that I couldn't take a picture of them with my cell phone, but lucky for you, I was able to take a photo of a few other funny labels, which I will post below!!
      After our stroll through the Friesta, we walked through Nakamura, or what the Americans call the Elephant store, because of the big red elephant on the sign. It's just a Japanese grocery store, but I love them, because I always find fun things whenever I go in..


                    Now everybody needs a Crunky Nude Ball every now and then, don't you think?!?


                            Now I don't know how people can deal with just having Meltykiss Whips,
                                            when they can have Meltykiss Whips More!!




Josh discovered this gum on a trip to Yokosuka last month. It's very tasty and the flavor lasts a long time. Since he took the whole container with him to work, I decided I would by some for our house. Once out of the store I opened it up to get a piece of gum and I found this...



Taking this little green thing out of the container I thought, "Oh, how nice! I got a mini sticky note pad in my gum!" Josh giggled at me and explained that each piece of paper is ment to be used to place your gum in, before you dispose of it in the proper facilities. Who'd have thunk?!?!
On the way back to the car, we came across a vending machine. Now, this is not uncommon, as you will see vending machines along the highway, up on top of mountains and on every single street corner all over the city. I've seen vending machines that dispense, sodas, teas, hot and cold coffees, and a Ramen vending machine at the Costco in Fukuoka. Tonight we saw a vending machine that dispensed corn and bean chowder.


Last but not least, for your entertainment, some funny printing on a menu at Coco Curry...


                                  I think what they mean to say is that you will enjoy this...




                     So, if we were going to take this literally, this potato is very pleased with itself!