[Leica] Nathan's PAD 06/09/2009: one building I am pleased to see abandoned

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Doug Herr asked:
>>> I am also pleased to see this building is abandoned, but I'm curious 
>>> about the message painted on the roadway: is "STOP" universal?  I 
>>> noticed it in Germany a couple of years ago too.<<<

Hi Doug,
Not answering for Nathan in your question to him. But here's an example of 
the word use.  When I was in Russia shooting the documentary on the 
Chernobyl children I was quite taken by the street signs that had "STOP" at 
intersections. Rather than in the Russian language.

I found it particularly interesting because Canada is a bilingual country, 
English & French. Given "STOP" is used in most countries as it is seen as 
the international recognized word at intersections, one would expect to see 
"STOP" signs in the Province of Quebec.

However! It isn't! Because it's an English word therefore it's null and void 
due to the language police of Quebec insisting all signs be in French.  So 
they use the word "ARRET" The rest of Canada? It's STOP! But in the heart of 
Moscow?? "STOP" works just fine and everyone stops! Quebec? ce la vie! :-)

Oh well I thought it an interesting answer on the use of the word "STOP."
ted