Playing Tag

[Virtual_Burlesque]

Urban Legends and Folklore

Anti-Bush Clothing/Laptop Bag Label

Netlore Archive: Translated into English, the French portion of an American product label reads: 'We are sorry that our president is an idiot. We did not vote for him.'

Description: Email flier w/photo
Circulating since: May 2004
Status: True

Email text contributed by Jules R., 3 June 2004:


http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/graphics/bagtag.gif


This is a clothing label from a small American company that sells their product in France. Here's the translation of the French part of the label.

Wash with warm water.
Use mild soap.
Dry flat.
Do not use bleach.
Do not dry in the dryer.
Do not iron.
We are sorry that Our President is an idiot.
We did not vote for him.


Comments: True. The label appeared on several tote bags and laptop cases manufactured by Tom Bihn, an American company located in Port Angeles, Washington. According to the Tom Bihn Website, its labels are printed in French as well as English because the products are sold in both the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to the basic laundering instructions, the labels read, in French:

Nous sommes desoles que notre president soit un idiot. Nous n'avons pas vote pour lui

Which, translated into English, means:

We are sorry that our president is an idiot. We didn't vote for him.

"The 'secret' message began as an inside joke among seamstresses and staff at the Tom Bihn factory," the company's Website explains, "and was apparently intended to poke fun at company's founder and president, Tom Bihn."

The key word is apparently.

"I'm going with the idea that it's a joke about me," Bihn told the Associated Press. But, he added, "clearly when you use the word 'idiot' and 'president' in the same sentence people jump to other conclusions."

Especially when it's written in French.

Why especially when it’s written in French?

The French aren’t the only ones who can make claims of enlightenment.


The TOM BIHN Site

Check under News & Events, and don’t miss the Forum

 

[Guest]

Burl, when I first visited my brother in Vienna in 2000, I met friends with Austrian passports encased in holders that read in German, "I did not vote for our government".

Perdita

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Burl, when I first visited my brother in Vienna in 2000, I met friends with Austrian passports encased in holders that read in German, "I did not vote for our government".

Perdita

If I remember correctly, that was when FPÖ, the extreme-right-wing party led by Joerg Haider, became part of the Government coalition, wasn't it? I'm not surprised that some people would want to make that statement when travelling abroad. There was a lot of talk at the time, and threats of sanctions against Austria by the other EU members...

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I'm going to pay closer attention to my tags and labels from now on.

 

[Guest]

If I remember correctly, that was when FPÖ, the extreme-right-wing party led by Joerg Haider, became part of the Government coalition, wasn't it? I'm not surprised that some people would want to make that statement when travelling abroad. There was a lot of talk at the time, and threats of sanctions against Austria by the other EU members...

Yes, that was it. My brother's friends wanted to make a statement, but also let non-Austrians know they were not happy with their govt. If it were not for our current terrorism-alert-paranoia I would think something similar would sell here, but I was recently given a very special security search when flying from SF to LA because my driver's license had expired! P.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

... friends with Austrian passports... "I did not vote for our government"...

Perdita,

A couple of years ago when I was leaving for my first tour through Europe, I was advised that I would be treated better if I sewed a Canadian Flag patch on my jacket.

I did not follow their suggestion and I encountered no real problem, but I can’t help wondering if they are still recommending that, now.

How about on trips through Canada?

 

[Guest]

Burly, I had no problems in Europe (Vienna and Venice only). No one took me for an American (I'm not white), even when I spoke.

Perdita

 

[Vincent E]

I was recently given a very special security search when flying from SF to LA because my driver's license had expired! P.

You can't blame the poor boys, mi Maestra. If I were on guard at the airport I think I would find any excuse I could to take a closer look at you myself.

I hope you were gentle with them.









Oh, I am being soooooooooooooo naughty.

 

[TheEarl]

Perdita,

A couple of years ago when I was leaving for my first tour through Europe, I was advised that I would be treated better if I sewed a Canadian Flag patch on my jacket.

I did not follow their suggestion and I encountered no real problem, but I can’t help wondering if they are still recommending that, now.

How about on trips through Canada?

Burlesque: If you were to wear a USA flag on your jacket and be openly and brazenly American, then you may be treated with a little bit of disdain in England. Nothing much, it's just that we have something of a superiority complex due to our superiority.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

I hope you were gentle with them.
Oh, I am being soooooooooooooo naughty.

I expect you to be naughty, Vincenzo. My inspector was female of course, very gentle too. P.

 

[Guest]

... it's just that we have something of a superiority complex due to our superiority.

wicked boy.

Pear

 

[cantdog]

I blame in on Kansas and the southeast.

Even now that they know they don't know.

Loved the tag!

I think it's especially appropriate in French because of the shabby France-bashing the current government encourages.

Freedom fries!

How 'bout freedom press coffee? freedom ticklers?

 

[Just-Legal]

I want one of those!

Yes, the random commenting on everyone is because I NEED 1000 tonight dammit

 

[Vincent E]

I expect you to be naughty, Vincenzo. My inspector was female of course, very gentle too. P.

Vincent's Top Ten Responses to Perdita's Post

10. Well, are you going to give details of just leave me hanging?
9. Was it a pat down frisk or a full body cavity search?
8. Did she wear latex gloves or a leather hood?
7. Did she wear latex gloves and a leather hood?
6. When she said, "This won't take long," were you disappointed?
5. Was there a high five passed between the security guards as she marched you off to the "special" room?
4. Yes, but were you gentle with her?
3. When you took your shoes off at the metal detector did she ask you where you got them?
2. I hope she at least promised to call you later.
1. Well, you did say you boarded in San Francisco.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Perdita,

A couple of years ago when I was leaving for my first tour through Europe, I was advised that I would be treated better if I sewed a Canadian Flag patch on my jacket.

I did not follow their suggestion and I encountered no real problem, but I can’t help wondering if they are still recommending that, now.

How about on trips through Canada?

I visited London and Greece (Athens and a couple of the islands) in the past year and didn't have any problems traveling as an American.

London was full of tourists and business travelers from all over the world and the Brits accept that as normal and treated us very kindly. The only issue on that trip was an extra security scan in the US for my traveling companion - he's Filipino-American, so that might have had something to do with it.

Greece was less friendly, but I think they have a love/hate attitude towards tourists from anywhere. I'd call it mostly indifference and occasional rudeness to anyone who is not Greek rather than an animosity toward Americans.

When we got into conversations about politics, though, it was a different story. The Brits were really interested in knowing whether Americans truly supported George Bush and his actions in Iraq - they seemed puzzled by the whole thing. The Greeks hated George and believed him to be a huge threat to world peace - they couldn't understand how any American could support him and tended to think that Americans wanted to dominate the world. But, they were more concerned about hating Turkey and certain Cypriots than America.

Actually, I was more uncomfortable road-tripping through Bush country in the Western US than overseas - felt way out of place.

 

[Guest]

Great list, Vincenzo bello. No replies (no surprize). P.

 

[mjl1960]

Damn French....

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

Damn French....

That's what I like, a well-argued, well-supported, and well-documented, fact-based opinion.

Or, failing that, short!

 

[Guest]

Yes, the random commenting on everyone is because I NEED 1000 tonight dammit

 

[sincerely_helene]

Damn French....

I strongly disagree.