One small step for mankind...

 

One of the guilty pleasures Anglophone speakers have in China is giggling at the signage supposedly in our language. Google Lens translates this as "Close to Civilization, close and convenient"--which is almost as funny as the original Chinglish. I think a more appropriate translation would be "A step closer to civilization requires one to step a bit closer to the Urinal"-- I can almost hear "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" echoing somehow in the language.

If you haven't figured it out yet--this is a sign one sees over urinals all over China: I can't imagine how many there must be. And I can't imagine how many tons of urine has consequently NOT ended up on the floor as a result of these signs. I think a campaign to have something comparable would be a great idea in the USA--I'm sure all women would agree...

The translator of THIS sign is less literal, and far more tactful (and grammatically correct)

This is obviously the same sign as the first--hundreds of miles away--obviously this sign company has good marketing skills.

Yet another version--this one quite good English and certainly makes the point--not even TRYING to translate more accurately.

Signage in China is ubiquitous and quite varied. I was touched to see this giant billboard when I arrived in Xi-An: a city I've dreamed of visiting all my life.

And another one nearby: not much of a message. But welcome nonetheless...