As I wander around our fair city I’m often struck by the number of stores with names in English, particularly because the names are very odd.
We’ll start with the Polygone Mall and Don’t Call Me Jennyfer.
What did Jennyfer do wrong? And do all the French know about it? Is the owner’s name Jennifer and she goes ballistic if you spell her name with a “y”?
This is Undiz, pronounced Undies in French. Yes, it’s store for underwear. I wish there were also a Jammiz, Teddiz, or Oneziz.
I don’t find this next store’s name to be unusual. It’s the slogan that caught my eye. It seems to be telling men they should really be aiming for the middle.
La Barbe de Papa, is not in English, obviously, but every time I see it I think it means “Hemingway’s Beard.” In fact, I think it means Cotton Candy? Can that be right? For a men’s hair salon? I think Hemingway’s Beard is a much better name.
I just like the name Mr. Kicks for a shoe store. No jokes here.
On the streets of Montpellier, we have this shop called “I Shoes You.” Every time I pass it I think, “You shoe, shoe, shoes me?”
This is a used CD and record shop. I don’t know what the name means but I have to pass the store everyday and tap the door three times.
This restaurant’s name translates to Mama’s Sons. Is she boiling them all in a pot? Or using their bathwater to make soup? I want to eat here why?
This is Low Brow Tattoo. For men aiming for the bottom.
Schmoove outta my way, ya schmuck.
This jacket appears to pays homage to Melania’s infamous I Really Don’t Care, Do U coat. I assume this is a commentary on American society. If it were about France, wouldn’t it be in French?
Lastly, we have this very unfortunately named record shop.
If you have any signs of your own to share, I’d love to see them!
Yes, barbe de papa means cotton candy !
Hilarious! We know a guy whose nickname is Schmoove and those shops always make me smile.