Something’s Lost Or Found In The Translation

Everyone makes mistakes attempting to capture the nuances and idioms of a foreign language, but keeping a sense of humor always helps.

Following are some signs in English collected by world travelers and published in the Travelin’ Woman newsletter:

“Ladies may have a fit upstairs” - from a tailor shop in Hong Kong.

“Order your summer suit. Because (of) a big rush, we will execute customers in strict rotation” - a tailor shop in Greece.

“If this is your first visit to Russia, you are welcome to it” - a hotel in Moscow.

“Please leave your values at the front desk” - a hotel in Paris.

“Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose” - a hotel in Zurich.

“Please take advantage of your hotel maids” - a hotel in Japan.

Travelin’ Woman is published monthly by Nancy Mills Communications, 855 Moraga St., No. 14, Los Angeles, CA 90049. Subscriptions are $48; sample copies are $4 each; (310) 472-6318.

Toot, toot: To keep from getting derailed on your next trip around Europe with a rail pass, “Travel Companions” newsletter has some handy tips.

One common and costly mistake travelers make, especially with rail flexipasses in Europe, is improperly entering or neglecting to enter travel dates, incurring conductor’s fines of $100.

Another common error: getting on the right train, but the wrong car, since trains often split up and go in different directions (often in the middle of the night).

The six-page reprint of past articles also includes rail pass fare charts and tips on coed sharing in overnight-train couchettes. For a copy, send $1 to P.O. Box 833, Amityville, NY 11701.

Zagat’s way: For the pick of the hotels, consult the new Zagat Survey of U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas, the most comprehensive to date.

Published every other year, the survey rates more than 2,500 business and leisure lodgings (from luxury resorts to plain-jane chains) in 50 states and Puerto Rico, based on the experience of anonymous frequent travelers who rate rooms, service, dining and public facilities.

The guide has 41 cross-referenced indexes for locating properties by special interests and services, from high tea and whirlpool baths to casino gambling and computer facilities. (Airlines and car rental agencies are also rated.) The guide is $19.95 in many bookstores.