business names

Lost in Translation (take 2)

Continuing with yesterday’s theme of strange signs here in Germany (although this may get expanded into around the world as I travel more) I thought I’d nominate a few more.

Today has a couple examples – First up is the business named DONER INN

Doener Inn shop - bad store name

I think it may only be amusing to me, but being that a Doener is a shaved/roasted leg of lamb sandwich, I’m not sure I’d want to eat at a place that’s prounounced similar to…
Done-Her INN. (Dare I ask where they hid the body?!?)
Anyhow, at the top of the picture, you’ll see a square thing with a giant “leg” of lamb roasting. Only, it appears that it could be something else. Is it “Her” thigh? Oh the things that make you go humm….
Now, maybe the person who decides to eat at the Doner Inn was at this cafe in Potsdam first. I call this the “confusing beer sign” although this guy appears to have more than just 1 vice.

Confused Bier sign

Notice that this old bier sign advertising bitburger pils has with klosterfeller beer advertised under it. Now Notice the Erdinger beer umbrella over the cafe tables. Yeah, it’s a cafe that serves beer… but why is this guy looking like he is holding out a joint and a beer? Do they sell a bit of pot here too? (yeah I don’t know – just guessing from the advertisment.)

Finally, an advertising gimic that would never fly back home in the states (I need to remember my camera to get a few more images as these billboards change according to “what’s in season” food wise.) because it’s too racy.

Sicher Macht Lustig! AIDS condom ad

The ad is for use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS. Great idea – just hilarious to see all these fruits in colored condoms that read “when you feel lust, give AIDS no chance”. What this has to do with fruit, I don’t know. I just hope that I’m not the one actually buying the left over food at the grocery store. (EWW!!)
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Lost in Translation….

Today’s episode of my blog – “a girl, her dog, and an extended journey” circles around the theme of (insert echoy sound here) LOST IN TRANSLATION.

In the last couple weeks, I find myself strangely drawn to attempts at advertising in English. It’s not necessarily a bad thing – most people here in Berlin do understand a few words here and there. However, sometimes, all efforts leave me laughing – and well, extremely bewildered. I’m going to see if I can keep this and one other idea I had going – bad fashion as seen in store windows (stay tuned)- going as a side theme for both your and my amusement.

Let’s see – to start us off… the ANGRY WHOPPER as advertised by Burger King here in Germany.

The ANGRY whopper (Burger King)

Now, I’m not exactly sure how this works – or what it is – other than the sign says it comes with onions and jalepenos. It leaves me with many questions including:

So, are you angry because it’s a whopper? Are you angry because you’re eating at Burger King? Who exactly IS angry? (The cow who died, you, the people serving you the burger, vegans, vegetarians, hindus… the list is endless…) Since it says that the onions are angry, how did they get to be angry? Can Onions be Angry? On the other hand, is there a “gleeful whopper”? Is it similar to a “happy meal” at the competition?

Um.. yeah.. you get the drift, but I hope this ad exec is out of a job.
More tomorrow….
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