What about all the road signs in Michoacán with a knife, fork, and spoon, and when you stop to eat, they only have forks or spoons? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bubba's post reminds me that our use of the word 'bimbo' north of the Rio Bravo is very different from the use of the word down here. During my first project in Mexico, the wife of an expat aquaintance (who worked for another company) used to refer to the young secretaries at his office as the "bimbettes".
But to get back to the topic of strange/dumb signs, I'll relate another memory from that first assignment. We lived in DF, and there was a park near the house which was maintained in pretty good shape. They had signs every where saying 'No pise el pasto". Because I was still learning Spanish, I was still unaware of the use of the subjunctive in commands, and I would jokingly translate that as "Don't pee on the spaghetti".*
Regards
Ed (* Yeah I knew it meant "Don't walk on the grass'.)
You know, this sign is quite tame compared to one I saw driving a back route from Astoria to Portland Oregon, at a small gas station and cafe. In HUGE neon block lettering, it said;
I can't remember the exact wording, but can anyone explain what is meant by CONCEDE LA CAMBIA DE LUCES (or something similar) I assume it means either lower your lights for oncoming traffic or get the hell out of the way for 160 kpm Jettas bearing down on your butt.
Incidentally, is it a national law that Jettas can only be driven at speeds exceeding 159 kpm and that they are required to pass everything else on the road. I drive fairly fast, but have only passed one Jetta in my whole career on the autopistas. I'm sure it was driven by an abuela taking her nieto's car out for a spin.
(This post was edited by dlyman6500 on Jan 18, 2007, 1:29 PM)
Bubba, I have been seeing Bimbo bread here since my first trip in the 60s. "Bimbo" US style was not in my vocabulary then. I always figured the US got the term from that bread. White, fluffy, full of air.
I can't remember the exact wording, but can anyone explain what is meant by CONCEDE LA CAMBIA DE LUCES
It means don't get into those pissing matches (hmmm, all my posts lately seem to have this word in them) about who's going to be first to lower their high beams. Of course, as with most signs, it is ignored. So, the dept of mexican highway signs would like you to change your high beams to low beams without waiting to see who will flinch first.
I believe it was Esperanza who told us about the Guadalajara eatery MARISCOS Y SEXO which is a seafood joint and porn shop. Why is that strangely unappetizing?
I love the "Don´t Mistreat the Signs" signs following the "Obey The Signs" signs and "The Signs are for Your Protection" signs and the hilarious "Radar in Operation" signs and the (loosely translated) "Your Family Would Appreciate it if You Would Slow Down and Not Kill Them" signs and my all time favorite:
TADA:
"Yield to Vehicles With No Brakes" sign, a favorite on autopistas screaming down canyons with that red line in the left lane and, of course, the toll booth at the bottom just after the impossible looking .truck escape lane crosses the right lane where I imagine a huge semi roaring down at 200 kilometers and hour on its way to oblivion as it smashes into the toll booth sideways while you wait for your change which you are about to not ever need again. Well, Duh!
I also love the placement of huge boulders in traffic lanes on major thoroughfares to induce you to respect the upcoming traffic diversion.
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