2 minute read
Centerfold
* TJH Centerfold
International Blunders
It is not just international leaders that make embarrassing gaffes while abroad, many companies have had stinkers of their own, including the following:
Pepsi’s mid-1990s slogan, “Come alive with Pepsi,” was translated in China as “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the dead.”
In 1987, KFC’s slogan of “Finger lickin’ good” was translated in China as “Eat your fingers off.”
Coors beer launched its “Turn It Loose” campaign in Spain, not realizing that the Spanish interpretation meant “suffer from a loose stomach.”
Salem cigarettes’ “Salem-Feeling Free” was translated into the Japanese market as “When smoking Salem, you will feel so refreshed that your mind seems to be free and empty.” In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes Tonic Water translated the name into
In the 1970s, American Motors launched a mid-sized vehicle called the Matador in Puerto Rico. Although the company intended to portray valor and strength, matador roughly translates to “killer” in the local language.
Mercedes-Benz entered the Chinese market under the brand name “Bensi,” which means “rush to die.”
Coca-Cola in Chinese is very similar to words that mean “female horse stuffed with wax.”
Riddle Me This
A detective who was mere days away from cracking an international oil smuggling ring has suddenly gone missing. While inspecting his last-known location, officers find a note: 710 57735 34 5508 51 7718. There are three suspects: Bill, John, and Todd. The senior detective looks at the numbers and says, “Bill is the head of the oil smuggling ring.”
How did he know?
NATO Trivia
1. What is NATO? a. An international trade partnership b. A nuclear watchdog c. An international criminal court d. An international military alliance
2. When was NATO established? a. 1924 b. 1949 c. 1956 d. 1986
3. Which emblem is on the official flag of NATO? a. White compass b. Two eagles c. Olive branch d. War ship
4. How many countries are members of NATO? a. 8 b. 14 c. 30 d. 52
5. Which of these countries was not one of the founding members of NATO? a. Denmark b. Norway c. Spain d. Luxembourg
6. Which is the only NATO country that does not have an army? a. Iceland b. Belgium c. Luxembourg d. Montenegro
7. Where is NATO’s headquarters? a. Madrid b. Haig c. Oslo d. Brussels 8. How much of their gross domestic product are NATO members supposed to commit to their defense spending? a. 2% b. 5% c. 10% d. 15%
Answers: 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. C 6. A 7. D 8. A
Wisdom Key: 7-8 correct: You are a fine diplomat indeed…with your fancy Belgium accent. 4-6 correct: You are not that strong…but, hey, we are all stronger together. 0-3 correct: You are hardly a diplomat…stick to sports.
You Gotta Be Kidding Me!
Putin is getting a haircut from his personal barber. While cutting his hair, the barber keeps on asking him about Ukraine.
Putin finally snaps at the replaceable barber and says, “Do you want to disappear? Why do you keep on mentioning Ukraine?!”
The barber replies, “Every time I mention Ukraine, your hair stands up; it makes it easier to cut.”
