Mertonium

As you may know, I constantly take pictures of signs I think are funny (see Fun Signs in Middle America). Below is a reprint of a post that originally appeared on my old blog. I put it together from photos taken over my two year stay in South Korea.  I’ve categorized them as best as I could.  Enjoy.

The Mind Benders

I read this, my eyes crossed, and I blacked out.

Sentence of kinda English.

These are great examples of the type of random phrases you see on a regular basis. I asked a Korean co-worker about a similarly enigmatic sentence on one of our lunch trays. She told me that she could understand what the author was trying to say, but even she (an English teacher) couldn’t think of any better way to translate the sentiments.

Trademark Traitors!

"The Cake House" - new home for once live and now animated creator of KFC?

“The Cake House” – new home for once live and now animated creator of KFC?

A closer look at the Colonel's treachery.

With the lack of any copyright enforcement, this small Korean bakery instantly rose to the level of success enjoyed by fried chicken powerhouse, KFC.

Learning English

If you have money, you can send your child to learn English in a hogwon (see first photo), or you can send them to a park to learn through random conversation examples (see second photo).

How could you not want to attend Crazy English academy?

What vetting did this question go through to get put on a learn-English-while-you-walk-through-the-park sign.

Using English on Your Store Makes You Cool

The name of this underwear chain store is just Yes', but every franchise has the same meaningless conversation on their marquee.

We love you too, chicken. You're delicious.

Evidently Harvard doesn't teach these chickens how to avoid getting battered and fried.

This 10 foot tall banner was announcing the opening of a new clinic.

The one-stop conformity shop.

I was told by a few Koreans that in their culture it was chic to have English written on your store or product. Many restaurants named themselves after English words or phrases commonly known to the majority of Koreans. As in the case of the two fried chicken restaurants above, their names are really “I Love You Chicken” and “Harvard Chicken”, respectively.

The Most Offensive Bag Ever

I saw this woman and her son in a subway car in the middle of Seoul. From far away, the bag she was carrying looked like the kind of bag in which someone might put a birthday present.

Mother and son with a seemingly innocent paper bag.

The people around me on the subway car thought I was crazy as I pushed them out of the way to get a photo of this bag before its owner left.

I’m assuming that she had no idea what the bag said. After the lack of reaction on the train from anyone besides me, I’m pretty sure no one else knew what it said either.

Inspirational

My favorite saying ever comes from those lovable creatures at Samsung.

My happy life is complete.

Not having English as a native language allows you to come up with new slogans for inspiration.

Non-English

Some signs were interesting with no English on them (especially when they all involve using dots to represent urine).

This sign was above a urinal. I looked behind me for a singing girl looking through the wall...no luck.

A helpful reminder on proper aiming.

What do they sell at a store whose logo is a little kid taking a whiz?

Adolescent Humor

These last signs are funny for the same reason fart jokes are funny.

For perspective, that sign is about 8 feet tall. (They serve boneless spicy chicken.)

(giggles)

Clothing boutique with a great name.

What does the one after "Wine" say?

Great take away chicken!