One of the great things about visiting another country or even a different part of your own country is that you can learn a lot just by reading the signs.  I have always had an affinity for odd signs such as the one I saw in Mississippi that said “Grossery Store.”  Possibly accurate, but mainly just sad.

In Switzerland there were a number of signs that amused me, either because something didn’t translate, or because the Swiss are just that weird.

You sometimes hear how big movies stars will go to Japan and shill for products and occasionally we’ll get video of Brad Pitt endorsing Japanese deodorant or Julia Roberts fauning over Italian pasta sauce.  Well it’s totally true.

This was on the top of a mountain after we rode a cable car.  Good ol’ George Clooney.  Sure he’s too good to Endorse Jiffy Peanut Butter here in the states, but he’s got no problem lending his name to this fancy pants coffee maker.  (By the by, the house we stayed in had a nespresso machine.  George is 100%  right.  I’m totally addicted.) 

We also saw all of the desperate housewife gals out promoting, ice cream, cleaning products and make up.  Those Europeans have it so good.

This was on a condom machine in the men’s restroom.  I always find Condom machines amusing.  Heck, I find almost any vending machine in a men’s room amusing.  It seems so dirty and secretive that they had to hide it away.  

“Your girlfriend will never know that you got your Calvin Klein cologne from a dispenser next to a urinal.  Impress her now!”

But condom machines always seem a little odd.  I just imagine the guy sitting in the restaurant thinking “man this is going really well!  I thought we were just going to hold hands, but it looks like this might go all the way.  Quick!  To the Batcave to procure a questionable condom from a questionable source, for a questionable evening!”

Anyway, I thought this picture on the side was very amusing.  What exactly is she doing?  And why is everyone’s hair so big?

This isn’t technically a sign, but it was a window diorama advertising the “Wild Side –American Store.”  You see this is our problem internationally.  This is what people think of us.  Cowboy boots, camouflage, spiked collars, the terminator.  I’m surprised they weren’t selling an AK47 and vials of cocaine.

And this is my favorite sign.  I assume it means no sunbathing, but it’s hard not to read it as a general prohibition against being Sexy while in the land of cheese, chocolate and cowbells.  I took note and tried so very hard not to be sexy, but it’s difficult.  George Clooney would have been screwed.