Want to make a negative impression that lasts? 🤔
Then look no further than going for the cheap and nasty and getting yourself some poorly written copy and content to advertise yourself 🫣
If you hit the jackpot, you might get embarrassing examples plastered on social media posts that go viral. Win... erm!
Now that we're in the midst of the Northern Hemisphere's peak holiday season, tourists and visitors worldwide are encountering unintentionally hilarious/non-sensical texts and copy everywhere they go, just like these examples (all unedited) from a free tourist guide for Sofia, Bulgaria, which I picked up back in 2009.
SHOPPING 🛍️
If you are planning a shopping spree in Sofia, take a good stock of cash, but stay vigilant, as unpleasant surprises from olive skin pick-pocketers cannot be ruled out.
Buy a bottle of wine or rakia, which you might appreciate by merit with friends, while you share your impressions of the visit.
GAY SCENE🌈
Homosexual practices are tolerable by the Bulgarian society
CRIME 🚓
Bulgaria has a middle crime rated compared the other European countries.
NIGHTLIFE 🌃
Entertainments in Sofia don't end with the sun going down and there is an energetic and enchanting feel about the many different night spot listed.
TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES ♿
Although all buildings are required to be wheelchair-accessible and provide suitable toilet facilities, this is still a matter of future.
PARKING 🅿
Sofia City Council is hot on the heels of their Western counterparts with yellow wheel clamps, and if that's not bad enough they'll even tow your car away
Ready to pack your bags?
⭐ On a serious note, it's sad to see such writing when there are plenty of talented people in Bulgaria who have excellent English writing skills and the cultural awareness to produce great copy and content. Many in the region will tell you that entrenched nepotism and corruption are the main reasons why these talented people have been overlooked. Sensing a quick euro, many an official will claim, for example, that their teenage child can do the job as they “get top grades for English”.
And before you ask, fortunately subsequent copies of this Sofia visitor guide has seen the casual racism and some of the more whacky wordings removed and replaced. Pickpockets are not just “olive skin” anymore, but there’s still much more room for improvement.
✅ Learn from experience and example: always go for the experts and professionals!