Weird Signs

Tuesday, 17 January 2006

Signs in ‘Engrish’ are found in great numbers in both Japan and China. They are always interesting and I found quite a few when I travelled through China in May 2005. This was one of my favourites, instructions for leaving your bag with the security staff at a shopping centre in Kunming. Some more favourite signs and information about our book Signspotting follow:

I’ve always liked photographing weird signs and over the years I’ve built up quite a collection. Ten favourites follow, if you like them then look for Doug Lansky’s Lonely Planet book Signspotting:

 

 

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is a well equipped city, there’s even a place to report pot holes.

 

 

 

 

Bonky Parking was across from the old Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.

 

 

 

Completely straightforward, there’s no politeness involved when it comes to dealing with bike riders in Xian, China.

 

 

 

Ditto for robbers who try this house in New Delhi, India.

 

 

 

 

 

It certainly is a real drink, I came across this Pee Cola ad in southern India.

 

 

 

 

Ah the troubles those Ls and Rs can cause in Japan where I found the Stake & Robster Restaurant in Okinawa.

 

 

This must be the place where you trash unwanted children in Parnu, Estonia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slimy Beach in Beirut, Lebanon didn’t look that bad.

 

 

 

 

 

I guess this restaurant in Tibet knew exactly who their market was, the Fairy Crowd.

 

 

 

 

Ditto for this Nightclub and ‘Fleshpot’ in Lhasa, Tibet.