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#Post#: 2196--------------------------------------------------
Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Wallydraigle
Date: March 21, 2012, 10:48 am
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If you see someone with a t-shirt with writing in a different
language, and it doesn't say what they think it says--especially
if the error is kind of embarrassing--, do you ever say
anything? If the motivation is just to be pedantic, I know the
answer is 'no', but I mean if you want to spare them
embarrassment. What if it's someone you don't really know well?
#Post#: 2199--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Nerdling
Date: March 21, 2012, 11:07 am
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I think it depends -- If it's shirt they really like and are
likely to wear a lot, especially in a place where there are
likely to be other people who will know what it really means, I
think you should. I would probably start by asking where the
person bought the shirt because I've never seen that word/phrase
translated quite that way, which would likely open up the
conversation to what the word/phrase actually means.
#Post#: 2202--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Wallydraigle
Date: March 21, 2012, 12:12 pm
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In this particular case, it doesn't say anything embarrassing.
But it's written backwards. And definitely not on purpose. I
wouldn't say anything to this guy because I don't know him well
at all, and it's extremely unlikely that anyone would see the
mistake (dead language almost know one knows), but I cringed on
his behalf anyway.
#Post#: 2207--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Hounds of Love
Date: March 21, 2012, 5:04 pm
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When my sibs and I were kids (I think I was about 13), we went
through some bags of hand-me-downs and were all showing off our
new finery. One of my sisters chose a sweatshirt that said "New
Math" and had a bunch of numbers and letters and symbols on it.
She was about 8 and had no idea what it spelled out, and my mom
didn't notice...but I did work it out and was so :o that I read
it aloud to my mom: "B4 I 4 Q R U 18 QT π" The shirt was
quickly confiscated! But that was a case where the meaning was
obscene and the wearer obviously had no idea and we were
immediate family.
Your case is tougher. I agree with Nerdling that you might
approach it if he wears it often, and around people that would
know the difference (i.e. if he's wearing it to the local
Obscure Dead Languages Society). If he only wears it once in a
blue moon (i.e. it might be a last-resort shirt when he needs to
do laundry--I say this because I'll wear shirts of bands I don't
like if I get desperate enough-- or it was a gift and he's
trying to be polite to someone by wearing it--maybe grandma
knows he is into that language and meant well!-- but doesn't
seem to like it enough to wear it often), or if it's a case
where no one around but you would know the difference, I'd leave
it.
#Post#: 2211--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Nova Lady
Date: March 21, 2012, 6:56 pm
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I also think it depends. If you know the person and what it says
on the shirt is something you know they would not want to be
wearing I would pull them aside and say something.
For a stranger, if they make it clear that they think the shirt
means something it doesn't I don't think it's wrong to speak up
and tell them what it actually says. But someone who just
happens to be nearby, there's no real way to know that they do
not know the shirt says whatever it says, or maybe they don't
really care. I would not say anything in the case of a stranger,
who you are not otherwise engaged with in any other way.
#Post#: 2216--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Nerdling
Date: March 22, 2012, 9:19 am
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Ah, in that case, I wouldn't say anything. If it were a
situation where it's likely to be noticed and might start a
fight, I'd say something. ;)
#Post#: 2217--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: Forsythia
Date: March 22, 2012, 10:06 am
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I would want to know.
I was looking at some fabulous Spanish word t-shirts with a
family friend who is fluent in Spanish. Unfortunately, he
thought he'd be funny and lie about what words translated into.
He kept suggesting I buy a shirt that said "Sancha," saying it
meant "joyful" or "harmony." I was very glad when another
shopper quietly informed me that it was actually a slang term
for "the other woman."
#Post#: 2221--------------------------------------------------
Re: Your t-shirt does not say what you think it says
DIR By: G-Lady
Date: March 22, 2012, 10:10 am
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(Just because I love your thread title)
Inconceivable!
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