Evan in San Diego spotted this bilingual warning in a local thrift store. “I particularly enjoy the vaguely racist implication of the Spanish translation,” Evan adds. “It’s the only sign in the store (among dozens) that’s en espanol.”
related: When nature calls
121 responses so far ↓
#1
Shadow Lurker
Do they think the shoplifters are Robin Hood? That appealing to their morals (already suspect) will stop them?
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:04 pm rating: 15
#2
Jessica
I like the way they compare it to people with AIDS, is stealing from people with AIDS worse than stealing from people with say, cancer? Or people who are visually impaired? Like AIDS is the worst thing you can have and stealing from people with aids will get you struck down by an almighty power. What if the thief had AIDS? Would he/she think “Awesome! I’ve already got AIDS, so basically they’re saying, feel free to steal, I never realised AIDS had an upside till now…”
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:05 pm rating: 23
#3
MAMARILLA2
Que dice? No quiero robarte, ni quiero cosas asi tan usados.
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:06 pm rating: 3
#4
Melissa
This sign is an empty threat. Everyone knows you can’t get the AIDS just by stealing from people with AIDS.
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:12 pm rating: 29
#5
GhostWriter
…and stealing from people with AIDS is like refusing medical treatment for your cancer-stricken son.
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:18 pm rating: 9
#6
oi!
so Spanish equivalent of AIDS is SIDA?
hmm so my name in Spanish would be i!o?
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:27 pm rating: 10
#7
CS harmonikah
I hate to try and use logic. I know it’s frowned upon.
But do you think it’s a thrift store to profit AIDS patients?
That would at least sort of make sense.
But seriously, who robs a thrift store?
I have to have that shirt, but i cant pay $2 for it…hmmm
*sorry I didnt see 2.1*
Jun 23, 2009 at 1:39 pm rating: 8
#8
claw71
I’ve stolen from people with AIDS. I’ve also stolen from second hand stores that donote their profits to people who have AIDS. It’s not the same. People with AIDS have better stuff than you’ll ever find in those stores.
Jun 23, 2009 at 3:45 pm rating: 21
#9
Woman on the Verge
Hmm…
Crappy guilt trip – check
Implied racism – check
Self righteous tone – check
Yup, I’m pretty sure my mom wrote that note.
Jun 23, 2009 at 3:49 pm rating: 21
#10
jennifer
Last time I checked, the Spanish language was not utiziled by a specific race. Does the fact that the sign is also in English mean the store expects its English-speaking white customers to steal too>
Jun 23, 2009 at 3:57 pm rating: 5
#11
Beth
You’ll make Jesus cry!
Jun 23, 2009 at 4:14 pm rating: 3
#12
fluffy8u
Whoa… hold up. Are they saying that being poor is equivalent to AIDS? I know there is a poverty problem in this country, but saying that they’re actually sick is no way to help them. If you want to “cure” this “disease” you’ll have to do a lot better than to tell them not to steal.
Jun 23, 2009 at 4:19 pm rating: 2
#13
medlii
SIDA! I learned that word in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCtdQFkrbhg
Wikipedia espanol:
SIDA=síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida- same letters, different order.
Jun 23, 2009 at 5:58 pm rating: 1
#14
April
Pretty good post. I just came across your site and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Jun 23, 2009 at 6:24 pm rating: 3
#15
oi!
I am amused by the fact that both notes have same number of exclamation marks at the end. I mean how much neat picky one can be?
Jun 23, 2009 at 9:10 pm rating: 5
#16
xs
“All other items are priced as marked.”
the bananas are two typhus and a malaria…. frozen peas – 99 polio, or 2 for 3 bubonic plagues
Jun 24, 2009 at 12:12 am rating: 9
#17
AuntyBron
So… if stealing from that store is like stealing from AIDS patients does that mean the store is incurably diseased and dying?
Jun 24, 2009 at 1:01 am rating: 3
#18
SexyNinjaMonkey
So are they trying to say they have AIDS??
Jun 24, 2009 at 7:13 am rating: 1
#19
aaa
Why would I want to steal from people with AIDS? Chances their lives are kinda suck and a lot of their money is going towards their meds . I’d much rather steal from happy, rich, healthy people who need to be brought down a peg or three.
Jun 24, 2009 at 11:25 am rating: 3
#20
mamason
I went to a thrift store once and I was haggling over the price of a green pitcher when the woman I was haggling with says to me that the thrift store helps battered women by giving them jobs and I should just pay what they’re asking so I tell the bitch she hasn’t yet found the tone she wants to take with me but I’m about to teach her and teach her real good and she just falls to the ground assuming the fetal position, crying, don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, in this really funny way…
Ahhh, I love my green pitcher.
Jun 24, 2009 at 12:21 pm rating: 10
#21
NewMoon
You have to admire a well-trained bitch.
(Reply to #20)
Jun 24, 2009 at 12:56 pm rating: 2
#22
Nafin
How is the Spanish sign racist?? In San Diego there are large populations of both English and Spanish speaking people – if the sign was ONLY in Spanish I would see how it could be seen as racist – but by putting it in both English and Spanish they are basically saying “Hey – ALL San Diego residents whether Spanish or English speaking – DON’T F’ING STEAL FROM THIS SHOP! We’re only trying to raise money to support victims of AIDS” “vaguely racist”? Uptight much?! I guess anti-shoplifting signs posted in English and French in parts of Canada are racist as well? Nice one.
Jun 25, 2009 at 3:07 pm rating: 0
#23
foobar
Why is this ‘vaguely racist’? Does everything have to be about race? What about class and gender?
You need the trifecta!!!
Jul 1, 2009 at 3:05 am rating: 0
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