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French in Japan: Signs

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As promised, here's more French in Japan!  This post  showcases two of the many signs I've seen in this country featuring French as the prominent, and often only, language of choice.  Never mind that most people in this country don't speak one word of French; it's still all over the signs.  I wonder if they don't understand what the signs mean at all, or if there's a basic cultural understanding of the parts that show up in these signs. 
The first sign here is the easier of the two, by far.  It's for a beauty salon, which is evident with the word "beauty" if you couldn't tell by "pur" (pure).  "Norika" is the name of the person who owns the salon.  "C'est vous pour être le plus jolie" literally means something like "it is you for to be the most beautiful."  I think what they want to get across is that it is up to you to be the most beautiful you can be, and if you desire to be the most beautiful you can be, the choice is clear: go to this salon.  
     

Next, we have a sign for a lingerie store.  The store is enticingly named "Fran," because everyone thinks of sexy underthings when hearing the name "Fran."  Amiright?  This sign takes an ambling approach to consumers rather than the direct, one-sentence sign of Norika Beauty.  I'm probably going to get a lot of this wrong, so if you know French please tell me by commenting!  Also, I'd love to know what people would actually say in France, rather than what the Japanese have translated from their own awkward, inanely polite phrases.  Here goes:

On dit, seulement ceux qui ont la motivation, peut obtenir une chance.
It is said, only those who have the motivation, can obtain a chance.

 C'est la meme maniere que l'amour.  (Note: they forgot the accents on "même" and manière.")
It is the same manner that love.

 Si vous croyez toujours la grande rencontre avec un garcon, dont l'histoire de Cendrillon de Pretty Woman surpasser n'est pas un reve.  (Note: forgotten accents on "garçon" and "rêve.")
If you believe always the big meeting with a boy, whose history of Cinderella Pretty Woman surpass is not a dream.  (I love the random English in this sentence.)

Pourqoui est-ce que vous ne preparez pas pour l'amour avec lingerie jolie et sexy?
Why is it that you don't prepare for love with pretty and sexy lingerie?

Et obtenons-le!!  
And get it!!  (Is what they're trying to say, anyway.)
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  1. AbigailMarch 8, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    My friend who speaks French said of the first sign: "C’est a vous pour etre la plus jolie,” is still a little weird but better than the original. Better still "C’est a vous – a vous voir (or “rendre”) plus jolie" – perhaps too direct, but at least it means something.

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