So I saw the above sign in a bathroom in Shanghai a few weeks ago.
I can let them off for such a ridiculous statement because after all, English is not the native language.
Sure, you could argue that they could have got a proper translator in, but as I’ve said in the past, China makes more of an effort to welcome foreigners to its country than other countries do to make Chinese visitors welcome in there’s.
But that’s not the point, because as daft as that sign may read, I’ve seen far worse in the West.
From Marks & Spencer’s saying ‘Caution, This Bread And Butter Pudding Will Be Hot After Heating’ to Sears pointing out that hairdryers ‘Should Not Be Used When Sleeping’ … I see ridiculous amounts of superfluous and meaningless notifications being banded about and at least in the case of the China example, they were trying to be of some value to their audience.
Of course the reason behind the examples I’ve given is because lawyers were involved … where treating people as idiots is the best form of defence, which ultimately is the best evidence of what a brand really thinks of their customers irrespective of what their advertising may tell you.
Remember that next time you pick up some Sainsbury’s peanuts and it say’s:
WARNING: Contains nuts.