Wonderful misunderstandings.

steven_ber · Feb 20th, 2004, 12:33

I talk to a Gujarati man every day at work, he has only been in London a few months and is still wonderfully pure Indian, a great man.

A white van was parked near us, in the dust on the van were the words "I wish my wife was as dirty as this van"

After studying the words for a few minutes, my Gujarati friend commented "why this man not want his wife to wash?"

Great stuff.

Anyone remember any misunderstandings or comments that made you smile?

Dayglowhamster · Feb 20th, 2004, 13:13

A small confusion that the English for 'paralysed' was 'paradise' led me to ask the speaker why he thought there was a 'hotel paradise'? I never got an answer - just a fit of the giggles.

SHIMLA · Feb 20th, 2004, 16:10

Way back in 1985, we were just out of management school and were undergoing training at Philips' showroom at Churchgate, Mumbai. The showroom displayed and sold all of the company's consumer products.

One day my colleague and I were attending to the "service" counter, where all products manufactured by the Company's service department were displayed, like cleaning oil, lubricant, tape-recorder head cleaning tape, head-cleaning solution, etc.
A bald gentleman, who was examining the products one by one, suddenly picked up a bottle of "head-cleaning solution" and moving his palm over his bald pate, exclaimed " I don't need this!!"

His friendly and sporting comment had us in splits !

beach · Feb 20th, 2004, 21:58

At Chennai near Adayar I've read a hotel's sign board--HOTEL TRAFFIC JAM

.......and later somewhere near Mt.Road another one, DOLLY PHOTOCOPY CENTRE !!

typhoidshaun · Feb 20th, 2004, 22:40

I found it quite hilarious that phone booths were called STD booths. And I was worried about catching something from the water!

rab · Feb 21st, 2004, 18:42

Quote:

in the dust on the van were the words "I wish my wife was as dirty as this van"

Hey Steve I saw that same van in Birmingham just before Christmas!

steven_ber · Feb 21st, 2004, 18:46

Between Birmingham and London someone had added "she was last night"

rab · Feb 21st, 2004, 18:49

Ha ha ha ha ha!
I hope that translates OK. Your friend will think she DEFINITELY needs a shower!

Kiki · Feb 21st, 2004, 21:06

An an in an Indian newspaper, for what store, I don't recall:

"Our Best is None Too Good!"

Feb 20th, 2004, 12:33	#1
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,566	Wonderful misunderstandings. I talk to a Gujarati man every day at work, he has only been in London a few months and is still wonderfully pure Indian, a great man. A white van was parked near us, in the dust on the van were the words "I wish my wife was as dirty as this van" After studying the words for a few minutes, my Gujarati friend commented "why this man not want his wife to wash?" Great stuff. Anyone remember any misunderstandings or comments that made you smile? __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Feb 20th, 2004, 13:13	#2
Dayglowhamster Twit Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: uk Posts: 147	A small confusion that the English for 'paralysed' was 'paradise' led me to ask the speaker why he thought there was a 'hotel paradise'? I never got an answer - just a fit of the giggles. __________________ Mine's not as clever as yours!

Feb 20th, 2004, 16:10	#3
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	Way back in 1985, we were just out of management school and were undergoing training at Philips' showroom at Churchgate, Mumbai. The showroom displayed and sold all of the company's consumer products. One day my colleague and I were attending to the "service" counter, where all products manufactured by the Company's service department were displayed, like cleaning oil, lubricant, tape-recorder head cleaning tape, head-cleaning solution, etc. A bald gentleman, who was examining the products one by one, suddenly picked up a bottle of "head-cleaning solution" and moving his palm over his bald pate, exclaimed " I don't need this!!" His friendly and sporting comment had us in splits ! __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

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Feb 20th, 2004, 21:58	#4
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,233	At Chennai near Adayar I've read a hotel's sign board--HOTEL TRAFFIC JAM .......and later somewhere near Mt.Road another one, DOLLY PHOTOCOPY CENTRE !!

Feb 20th, 2004, 22:40	#5
typhoidshaun ____________ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 13	I found it quite hilarious that phone booths were called STD booths. And I was worried about catching something from the water!

Feb 21st, 2004, 18:46	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,566	Between Birmingham and London someone had added "she was last night"

Feb 21st, 2004, 18:49	#8
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,217	Ha ha ha ha ha! I hope that translates OK. Your friend will think she DEFINITELY needs a shower!

Feb 21st, 2004, 21:06	#9
Kiki Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 154	An an in an Indian newspaper, for what store, I don't recall: "Our Best is None Too Good!"