Happy Saturday lovelies!
Saturday has always been a bit of a random day so here are some random pictures to make you smile – after all, as you will see below “Smile is best makeup” 🙂
I thought this sign was so apt – I’m not sure what the Japanese words say though – it could very well be an advertisement for cosmetics or something mundane.
In Tokyo, there are lots of these notices as below put up in the subway or Metro stations and on the trains. You are, for some reason, not encouraged to put on your makeup while in the train.
I don’t quite understand why this is so. Most of the Japanese ladies looked perfectly made up by the time they got on so I guess they do pay attention to their subway restrictions. I did see one lady surreptitiously put on mascara but she was furtive and quick about it 😀
And finally, while in Hong Kong recently, I saw a sign on a menu that made me laugh so hard.
If you are a bear in Hong Kong and choose to dine at this restaurant, you will be charged double unless you place 2 orders. Or so the English words say. I believe the Chinese words say “beers” which makes more sense.
But I prefer to go with the English or should I say “Engrish” version. It made my day … and I hope it made yours too! 🙂
Smile and have a happy weekend!
Paris B
prettybeautiful says
January 16, 2010 at 11:40 amLOL @ the ‘please do this at home’ sign. When i went for my ROM i woke up so early and rushed there then forgot to apply lip color. So i was filling up the application and applied lipstick in front of the counter fella, then he just laughed at me
ParisB says
January 16, 2010 at 7:03 pmHaiyo why should he laugh at you – must look good ma 😉
freshelle says
January 16, 2010 at 11:41 amlol double charge for bears – that’s so funny and so typical chinglish!
the japan poster about makeup on the subway is so weird (or the notion of it)…maybe they want all the ladies to look really pretty on the train and they find it unappealing when they are putting on their ‘face’ in public? hmm just my 2 cents 🙂
ParisB says
January 16, 2010 at 7:04 pmI puzzled over it for the 4 days I was there but found no solution too.
Nikki says
January 16, 2010 at 11:49 amI really agree with smiling being the best makeup! It uplifts your whole look and make you look younger 🙂
ParisB says
January 16, 2010 at 7:04 pmyep yep! So I hope you had a smiley weekend!
Monstro says
January 16, 2010 at 12:34 pmNo putting on makeup on the train? That cracks me up! They probably think it’s in bad taste or something. Just like how Japanese women will flush while they’re peeing so it can’t be heard. 😀
ParisB says
January 16, 2010 at 7:05 pmThat might be it! I actually experienced that strange flushing thing once in a public toilet – they had a speaker that was motion activated so it started playing flushing noises once you sat down. it was surreal.
Jyoan says
January 16, 2010 at 2:35 pmI believe it’s a matter of courtesy. Reading newspapers in the train is frowned upon as well, because it takes up space, and cause inconvenience to others. Makeup sounds like the same. It kind of like being undressed and then trying to pull up your pants in public. =) But I agree smile is the best makeup, and “bears” is definitely beer. lol.
ParisB says
January 16, 2010 at 7:07 pmYou might be right about it being courtesy although I did see a lot of people reading, whether newspapers, mags or books so guess reading doesn’t fall into that category = no signs forbidding it anyway 😉
Denise says
January 16, 2010 at 9:32 pmI saw the same sign in Korea too, they don’t allowed ppl to make-up in the train and most of the toilet have make-up spaces. As i know the Korean call toilet as ” hwa jang shi” = make-up room.
ParisB says
January 17, 2010 at 2:25 pmOh Korea too? I must go and check it out for myself!
maryinwonder says
January 16, 2010 at 11:15 pmLOL At first I didn’t understand what was weird with the sign! HAHAH Bears! XDDD
ParisB says
January 17, 2010 at 2:26 pmYeah they discriminate against bears in Hong Kong apparently 😉
Marina says
January 17, 2010 at 12:43 amThank you for a great post , Paris!
I really liked the photo from the subway 🙂
ParisB says
January 17, 2010 at 2:26 pmGlad it made you smile!
Pim says
January 18, 2010 at 12:02 amWow…I was in Japan a few years ago and I didn’t see any no-make up sigh.
Back then, you’ll many many girls putting on their make up on subway. I was amazed to see japanese girls putting on their eyeliner on the shaking subway and get it done beautifully. So now it is forbidden now? Funny. It was kind of fun for me seeing jap girls putting on make up and see they transform.
ParisB says
January 19, 2010 at 10:52 amPerhaps something happened that cause the ruling to be put into effect, like someone putting out their eye with mascara perhaps? 😛
Karen says
January 18, 2010 at 1:16 pmPutting on makeup in public places is considered bad manners in Japan (and many other places too). Moreover applying mascaras, eyeliners can be dangerous in moving vehicles…
Connie says
January 18, 2010 at 8:37 pmLol at the signs! They always make my day too 🙂