08.07
Picked up some flowers the other night from a place called Affluent Flowers. I should first mention that the lady who helped me there was polite and helpful, and the flowers I purchased were very nice and well-priced.
That said…
While I didn’t go there specifically so that I could write this post, I was thinking about their name even before I walked into the store.
You didn’t call this place ‘Affluent Flowers’ because everything here costs a lot, did you?
No, the woman behind the counter assured me that the name “Affluent” had been chosen primarily because it starts with “A.” The owner is hoping that as a result, his store will show up near the beginning of alphabetical listings. I’m sure the question’s been asked before, but is this still a relevant concern in most industries these days? I’d argue that it’s not. I found the flower shop by using Google Maps; I just wanted something that was on my way. For flower shops—and maybe most single-location retail stores—listing yourself in map-integrated online directories is probably more critical than choosing a name that starts near the beginning of the alphabet.
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08.05
How’d you like to be the guy on that poster? Before you answer, note that the name “Putzmeister” is a good example of why naming firms check for unfortunate translations or connotations when creating names for clients with international exposure.
I stopped at a red light behind a Putzmeister truck awhile back on my way to work, and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. For those of you who don’t dabble in Yiddish, a putz is an idiot. Well…worse than an idiot, really. For a more accurate definition, check out Urban Dictionary. The Putzmeister website claims it’s German for “plaster master,” but Urban Dictionary (and anyone who speaks a little Yiddish, I would think) would translate it as master of something quite different.
08.03
At last Thursday’s sit-down with Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Sgt. Joseph Crowley, Mr. Obama drank a Bud Light. At first, this seems like an obvious choice—American legacy, fewer calories than Budweiser (supporting the preventative aspects of his healthcare plan), and fights his image as an arugula-eating snob. But then I remembered that Anheuser-Busch was acquired by InBev, a Belgian company (not traded on U.S. markets), around this time last year. Wouldn’t you think the president would help stimulate our economy a little by drinking a real U.S. beer? Here are some recommendations for next time. Let me know if you have other ideas…
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