Pick-A-Day

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Nothing like differences between what you’re told to do in German and in English…

Today I picked up a new pair of shoes and was given a free can of G-Wax that I could use to waterproof my new shoes.

I read the instructions on the bottom of the tin:

Anwendung: Sparsam mit den Fingern oder einem Tuch auftragen.

Basically, I’m supposed to sparingly apply it with my finger or a piece of cloth.

Then I noticed that the instructions were printed on a sticker, and being the nosy parker that I am, I carefully pealed off the sticker and found the original instructions, meant for the UK audience:

  1. Apply sparingly with a clean cloth
  2. Allow to dry between application
  3. Apply 2-3 thin coats

Then it notes, Full instructions available online – and right next to it a 2D bar code that I can snap a picture of and be whisked away to get detailed instructions.

I guess the British cannot be trusted to use their finger.

4 comments to Nothing like differences between what you’re told to do in German and in English…

  • torchy!

    I use my finger sparingly :p

  • This reminds me of the lasagne noodle package I blogged about a long time ago. The recipes in French, German and English were all very different! 🙂

  • “I guess the British cannot be trusted to use their finger.”
    ouch! You Brits / Americans with your love hate relationship *sigh
    🙂

  • torchy – I doubt that.

    Scott – that made a colleague and me laugh — I guess a lot of translation is cultural.

    Martin – Actually I was going for the British/German relationship. Americans probably would be explicitly told not to let it touch their skin, and if it did to call poison control immediately.