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Sign of the times

38 Comments

A sign in front of a Century21 real estate office in Beijing.

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38 Comments
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I thought this was funny...until I realized Century 21 is an American company.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Uniqlo, Audi, and other establishmnets were flying the same banners claiming these islands belong to China. After the riots, the company employees were asked about the banners...they said the police have ordered them to diplay these banners. I don't know if its to protect these different establishmnets from being looted or simply to use it as propaganda. But Lousvitton, rolex and other shops selling branded items were also ransacked and has nothing to do with Japan.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A bit more mature than those restaurants and hotels etc where they prohibit japanese to enter.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Really, really sad. What the f does selling real estate to local Chinese in Beijing have to do with a political dispute with Japan? I hope that Century 21 in the states is suitably impressed, that is, unless it's another one of those fake retail stores that the Chinese are so good at.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I bet Century 21's compliance department is having a fit right now.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Real Estate busines in China is VERY VERY soft now. ................ Sales are down, especially in the conodmiums trade. .................. Oodles of new high rise condos standing empty. - - - so ANYTHINg to hype-up the market . . . LOL :o

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I thought this was funny...until I realized Century 21 is an American company

But this is China, they probably "owned" the name first! (sarcasm)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Century 21 may be an American company but I'm not surprised by this. Not one bit. After all, this company has no problems discriminating against foreigners in Japan.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

After all, this company has no problems discriminating against foreigners in Japan.

I was given a 100% mortgage and bought a property with Century 21 in Japan with no problem at all. Gifts thrown in at completion too. I went to a local restaurant to celebrate and my meal was paid for when the estate agents found out I was in there.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

japan govt should sell to china for double what they paid for them and put the funds toward social wellfare

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you haven't actually experienced discrimination against you in Japan then don't try to convince others.

I have and while you may have had a great experience with them doesnt necessarily mean that others have as well.

I am happy for you that you haven't had to go through being told you can't have something here purely because you are a foreigner.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

stay classy China.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I was given a 100% mortgage and bought a property with Century 21 in Japan with no problem at all. Gifts thrown in at completion too. I went to a local restaurant to celebrate and my meal was paid for when the estate agents found out I was in there.

Good for you but keep in mind that not everyone experiences the same thing, in fact just the opposite.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Did anybody else find it strange that it is written in English and not Mandarin?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

At least the English is correct!

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

At least the English is correct!

Look again.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

OK, now I'm guessing this sign is put up so that the frothing-at-the-mouth car and store snashing mobs don't decide to destroy the "american" realty estate company. Probably put up by the employees inside going "Hey! we're Chinese"!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yesterday I completed my company's annual corporate ethics course. This year was mainly concerned corruption, however one section covered politics. We are not supposed to imply our company supports any political stance. Perhaps Century 21 & Audi would like to consult with our CSR department.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Spell check, please

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Look at the spelling. @_@ Century 21 or 21 Century?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Cool your jets, people. This is no different than those signs outside Starbucks and other places that are thought up on the spur of the moment to get people in off the street. Nothing more than a catchy phrase, not some insidious undercurrent of destruction.

Any business (a good business anyway) knows that there's no such thing as bad publicity.

And lay off the spelling. This signed is spelled much, much better than the grammar is on most of the "Engrish" you see here.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Yes, one that can't spell receive, and that buys opinions with money. That's real down home stuff."

Heh! Well played, sir. Thanks for that. I enjoyed the chuckle.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Just to clear something up: Century 21 offices around the world are independently owned and operated franchises.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

gaijininfo,

"Nothing more than a catchy phrase, not some insidious undercurrent of destruction."

Seriously? Are you seriously trying to equate an advert that seizes upon an international border dispute that could very well ignite the entire region into war with, "L.A. Lakers Fan Appreciation Day! 10% off?"

The sign is intentionally provocative, tapping into nationalistic asshattery in order to turn a profit. Perhaps it's not quite insidious, but it most certainly is destructive, if for no other reason that it demonstrates the brain trust behind this little gem didn't have the presence of mind to at least make sure spelling errors didn't put their credibility as mature, rational adults any further in question.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

US should just blow the islands up... Case closed.... haha

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This is not as bad as the one on the banner in front of the Chinese Audi dealership that read, "Even if the whole of China is covered with tombs, [we] must kill all Japanese; even if no grass grows in China…." (哪怕华夏全是坟,也要杀光日本人,哪怕中国不长草,也要收复钓鱼岛!). The photo of the banner with a line of smiling dealership employees apparently went viral.

Hard to believe business professionals of any country would act that way. Worrisome indeed.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

tmarie: I before E except after C

1 ( +2 / -1 )

As ridiculous as China can get. Senkaku Islands are Japanese after all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Look again.

Damn, you're right. I quickly glanced at it - and got the meaning. More than what I can do here most times! ;)

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Hard to believe business professionals of any country would act that way. Worrisome indeed.

Why should it be hard to believe? You're dealing with party propaganda. Ethics is not part of their vocabulary. They are brainwashed since early childhood and these are only the party's stimuli to turn them into fighting machines. Sounds like you guys kind of misunderstood the nature of the beast here.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Now I want to see a Century 21 sign in Tokyo that says, "Admit the Senkaku Islands are Japanese and get..."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Easy. 'I hearby admit the Dioyu Islands belong to China' (get discount) but breathe on the way out, 'The Senkaku Islands belong to Japan'.

Personally I couldn't give a large rodent's box either way. It's a bung of large rocks folks! Get over it! It's not the Galapagos or Easter Island!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Personally I couldn't give a large rodent's box either way. It's a bung of large rocks folks! Get over it! It's not the Galapagos or Easter Island!

There's no oil underneath them - not that we currently know of.

Why do you think they're also in the same type of conflict ("this is our ancestral territory") over Spratly and Paracel islands with Vietnam and the Philippines?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Heck - I'm happy to "admit" anyone owns these ugly, worthless rocks in the sea - if my stingy Japanese real estate agent gives me a 10% discount! I can only dream!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Century 21 has nothing to do with this. This is a Century 21 Franchise. So it is owned by Chinese people who just bought the rights to use the name.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Did anybody else find it strange that it is written in English and not Mandarin?

Yeah, trying to get international opinion on their side?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Century 21 has nothing to do with this. This is a Century 21 Franchise. So it is owned by Chinese people who just bought the rights to use the name.

It is a leap of faith to believe that Century 21 has ANYTHING to do with this agent in any way, shape, or form.

It's in China for cripes sake, the land of rip off artists.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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