[Phnom Penh, 11/14/22] Leaving my hotel just after 5AM, I had the option of strolling towards the Mekong, just a mile away. At that hour, there was very little traffic, so crossing streets wasn’t so vexing. Most days, though, I’m sucked right into the dark alleys, with its roosters, sleepers, coal fires and eatery owners preparing breakfast. Seeing a large pot of boiling water can make you think everything is still fine. Something delicious will be made.
"I don't care anymore". :D I could wear a t-shirt like that too. I wonder who is the guy that has the job of inventing random expressions in English to stamp on T-shirts in Asian countries. It must be fun.
That “My Family” photo is something. Besides all the other unspoken assumptions you listed, I would add another: There’s also no chance you’ll be arrested for wanting to get a closer look at that Capitol building just behind you.
As a side note to that, I can’t help but notice that the people out on the street with cardboard “Anything helps” signs or sleeping in their cars are rarely Asians, even in cities where I know there are lots of them. My wife and I drove by a couple a few months back, the man white and the woman Asian, holding the obligatory "Anything Helps" sign. We agreed that it was probably the first time we’d ever seen an Asian panhandling. Draw your own conclusions about why that is.
The English language signage in non-English-speaking countries can sometimes be amusing. I have a photo of one I snapped in Taipei a few years ago just outside a laundromat. Apparently images cannot be posted in Substack comment sections, but the funny part of it that is in English reads as follows:
ACCORDING TO "WASTE CLEANING ACT", DOG-OWNERS WILL GET NT$ 1,200 TO $6,000 FINE IF THEY LET THEIR DOGS SHIT ANYWHERE.
I guess you have to tell your dog to stop, since once the deed is done, picking it up will not save you from being fined. BTW, the listed fine in US$ is roughly equivalent to $40-$200.
Here in California, there is now a lot of signage that includes Spanish after the English. I know very little Spanish, but have wondered just how faithful THAT translation is...perhaps the Spanish speakers here are getting a similar chuckle out of the mangled Spanish translation of the English sign!
Good morning to you! After you commented to me yesterday, I remembered to post the comment I had prepared for Linh's previous article. I had to go out of town for the day on short notice and had broken off in the middle of composing it.
"I don't care anymore". :D I could wear a t-shirt like that too. I wonder who is the guy that has the job of inventing random expressions in English to stamp on T-shirts in Asian countries. It must be fun.
Hi Tom,
They aren't random, though. I photographed this half an hour ago:
http://linhdinhphotos.blogspot.com/2023/11/woman-in-kiss-boys-and-make-them-die.html
Linh
Wow! That’s a disturbing photo with the expression on her face and on her T-shirt. Looks like it came from Tony Podesta’s collection.
The boy looking at her seems interested, but with the mask, kissing is going to be difficult... Why are his hands all white? I hope it's just paint.
Hi Tom,
I think they're fixing the place up. Walking by, I noticed her shirt, so sneaked a photo. It's street photography. I don't know them.
Linh
He just kissed her, and the dying starts with his hands going white maybe?
That's a bit disturbing.
That “My Family” photo is something. Besides all the other unspoken assumptions you listed, I would add another: There’s also no chance you’ll be arrested for wanting to get a closer look at that Capitol building just behind you.
As a side note to that, I can’t help but notice that the people out on the street with cardboard “Anything helps” signs or sleeping in their cars are rarely Asians, even in cities where I know there are lots of them. My wife and I drove by a couple a few months back, the man white and the woman Asian, holding the obligatory "Anything Helps" sign. We agreed that it was probably the first time we’d ever seen an Asian panhandling. Draw your own conclusions about why that is.
The English language signage in non-English-speaking countries can sometimes be amusing. I have a photo of one I snapped in Taipei a few years ago just outside a laundromat. Apparently images cannot be posted in Substack comment sections, but the funny part of it that is in English reads as follows:
ACCORDING TO "WASTE CLEANING ACT", DOG-OWNERS WILL GET NT$ 1,200 TO $6,000 FINE IF THEY LET THEIR DOGS SHIT ANYWHERE.
I guess you have to tell your dog to stop, since once the deed is done, picking it up will not save you from being fined. BTW, the listed fine in US$ is roughly equivalent to $40-$200.
Here in California, there is now a lot of signage that includes Spanish after the English. I know very little Spanish, but have wondered just how faithful THAT translation is...perhaps the Spanish speakers here are getting a similar chuckle out of the mangled Spanish translation of the English sign!
Good Morning Just Plain Bill!
Good morning to you! After you commented to me yesterday, I remembered to post the comment I had prepared for Linh's previous article. I had to go out of town for the day on short notice and had broken off in the middle of composing it.
My husband and I live outside of Sacramento. Where do you and your wife live?
When I see smiling people in your lovely photographs, I smile too! Thanks so much. that's quite the outfit that the bread toting woman is wearing!
we saunter along avoid too much noise , but we observe what's going on