Say What??? Southeast Asia Signs

Warning: Do not read this if you are consuming a beverage which you do not want to see coming out your nose. 

Even for those of us who love to travel, getting around in countries where we don’t speak the language and often can’t even read the alphabet, can be stressful. As Southeast Asia has become a go-to tourist destination, the locals have tried to help us out by posting helpful information in English — with varying degrees of success. Usually, we can get the gist of what they are trying to communicate, but sometimes — not so much. Many times, the signs bring a smile to our lips and sometimes a full throated guffaw escapes.

Actually, I even found a few head scratcher signs in Hawaiion our last trip. Here are my favorites from our recent trip which included stops in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Singapore.

At the main Wat (Buddhist Temple complex) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, there was this warning:

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While you are trying to figure out what this sign says (why are the guides having a playoff game?), chances are some one might have sprinted away with your property.

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In Singapore, you might not be allowed to chew gum, but you can get a green man — I’m not sure if other color men are available.

English is an official language in Singapore (a former British colony) and most people speak it quite well. So, wassup with this?

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Even my native Singaporean consultant wasn’t sure what this slogan is supposed to mean.

I’m not sure what happens if you actually do fall while waiting in line at the Manila International Airport.

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At least they’re polite about it.

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I realize that there is mystery in religion, but this declaration at a Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, Laos still has me scratching my head. Maybe it’s a test and you can forget about Nirvana if you don’t “get it”.

We have this one courtesy of my husband (Mr. Excitement) from over the urinals in the mens’ room at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. He was very brave to risk a photo. They’re pretty strict in the Royal Palace complex — lots of gun toting soldiers and signs telling you not to take photographs. It might have been difficult to try to explain to a Thai judge (not to mention, our sons) why exactly he was taking photos — in the mens’ room.

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We could call it “the Anthony Weiner defense”. “But Officer, I was taking a photo in the mens’ room for my wife…..”   I think what they are trying to say is, “Our aim is to keep this bathroom clean. Your aim will help.”

In the caves at Halong Bay in northern Vietnam, they could maybe use a little help with prepositions.

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In other words, leave your gang sign somewhere else — or else!

Finally, here’s my favorite from the back of the door rules and regulations at the Manichan Guesthouse in Luang Prabang, Laos.

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I told Steve not to bring his prostate to Laos, but did he listen?…… I guess we could have tried the “but we weren’t making sex movies” defense.

I assure you, this is all in good fun. At least they try. I don’t recall seeing a lot of signs in Laotian or Thai at City Hall in Philadelphia.

Have you experienced any amusing language-based incidents during your travels?