frying chicken for the people ::
:: I came across this hysterical image while perusing Douban’s “Distinguishing Features of China” photo competition / exhibition. It’s a simple fried chicken and popcorn stand, but the phrasings on the signs are very cleverly punning on Chinese revolutionary slogans from a time passed.
The copy across the top of the red sign reads “炸鸡中的战斗机,” which means something to the effect of “a fighter pilot in the battle of frying chicken.” The copy down the left side of the red sign reads “拳打麦当劳,” meaning “punching / beating McDonald’s with our bare hands.” The copy down the right side of the red sign reads “脚踢肯德基,” meaning “kicking down / stomping on Kentucky Fried Chicken.” McDonald’s and KFC have replaced foreign imperialist countries (that will go unnamed here) in these rally chants. The centerpiece copy reads “为人民炸鸡柳,” meaning “frying chicken for the people,” a play on the timeless good-comrade slogan “为人民服务,” meaning “serve the people.” The white sign on the top right reads “爆: 就一个字,” referring to the popcorn offering, meaning “just one word: POP!” I can’t see the first couple lines on the other white sign, but the last three characters read “更精彩,” meaning “even more wonderful / great.” Anyone?
[UPDATE: 56minus1 reader Vance has pointed out that the small white sign on the left (top) reads "里面的世界更精彩," meaning "the world inside here is more wonderful / amazing." I love it.]
I read from some online commentary that this stand is near Beijing Normal University’s post office. Is it still there? // AjS
OK, I’ll admit, at first I was a bit suspicious that the above photo was Photoshop’d, so, being the good netizen I try to be, I investigated further. Without much effort at all, I found this video short on Youku of the same stand…it’s real! [warning: terrible background music from Sum 41 or some other equally awful pop-punk band from San Diego / the late 90s]
March 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
white sign on the left looks to me like “里面的世界更精彩.”
March 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
@ Vance, thanks for the response.
I think you’re right…amazing. Makes the whole thing even better. It’s as if there is a “magical world” inside this little chicken shack. Very aspirational branding by this guy. Bravo! 4A advertising companies out there should be banging down this guy’s door / window to fill their next opening for a copywriter.
// AjS
March 17th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
[...] 此图实在一个上海的老外博客上发掘的~ 他在他的博文中详细介绍了这个“炸鸡中的战斗机” [...]
March 17th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
很好很强大~ very nice
March 17th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
为人民炸鸡柳，欧也
March 17th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
[...] 在老外的blog里看到一个酷似星爷炸鸡哥们，leesum十分佩服之。“为人民炸鸡柳”是我们炸鸡人的宗旨，主上传给我手艺和一幅对联：拳打麦当劳，脚踢肯德基；横批：炸鸡中的战斗机。旁边还有我新创的：爆，就一个字。请各位喜欢吃炸鸡、鸡柳和爆米花的朋友支持国货。朋友，想知道我的店在何处？北京师范大学附近邮局旁的你若就能闻到炸鸡香，恭喜你，离我的店已不足3里路。 [...]
April 1st, 2009 at 10:12 am
[...] (图片来源) [...]