And just look at him
Walking home through the city the other day, I passed the Mekong restaurant on Swanston St. For the past few years, the window of the Mekong has been adorned with a little yellow sign, issuing proud proclamation and challenge:
President Bill Clinton Had 2 Bowls. How Many Can You Have.
This is one of the most effective advertisements I've ever seen, because it has propelled an unremarkable restaurant to the status of minor Melbourne landmark. You might have a conversation like this:
A: "So where is Cookie?"
B: "It's opposite the Mekong."
A: "The Mekong?"
B: "Yeah, you know, the restaurant where Bill Clinton had two bowls?"
A: "Oh yeah. Okay, meet you there at 10."
However, as I was walking past I reflected that, in light of recent surgical events, the owners of the Mekong might want to reassess the message they're sending. Perhaps, sadly, the sign's best days are behind it. These are the little casualties.
Joseph | | Comments(7)
Copyright © 2006 Joseph Pearson, some rights reserved.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Comments
Anthony
Does the Peking Duck restaurant on Lt Bourke St still have a picture of Jimmy Carter looking aghast at a duck?
Joseph
Anthony, I’m going to investigate this.
Ro
Ahh - the ‘two bowls’ sign.
I only noticed it a few weeks ago. It reads much like the chingrish merchandise available a few doors up in ‘Morning Glory’.
“President Bill Clinton Had 2 Bowls. How Many Can You Have.”
It’s interesting isn’t it……..but…….how do we explain it?
I believe the managers were trying to be funny and dirty at the same time. Sex sells! and lets not deny it - Bill Clinton is associated with ‘sexual relations’ as much as he is with being the 42nd President of the USA.
Now, most people of asian decent with english as a second language tend to pronounce the words ‘bowls’ and ‘balls’ the same way (yes I’m generalising). Try replacing ‘bowls’ with ‘balls’ and voila - see you’re laughing aren’t you! and now that Mekong has your attention…….why not go in and have a few bowls……..
btw - firefox is certainly the way to go jo
Joseph
Knuckles hidden: victory sign. Knuckles shown (rare): the bird.