No, a Pocari isn’t an animal, or a person’s name. It’s a drink!
I’ve seen this quite a few times and always intended to snag a photo of it, but I just never got around to it.
Would you drink something called Sweat? When I look at this can I think of the sweat sliding down someone’s back, so … well no. Just not for me!
What this does make me wonder though is who was in charge of naming this product? In today’s world, multicultural awareness is something of a must, and I get the feeling that the company missed the mark when they branded this.
Any idea what the original message was supposed to be here?
I think I'll pass on the elephant pee. ^_^ Though I suppose it was a bad example. That might have a “shock value” market!
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@RONW: Well, it's not so much about the cover of the can, or in this case the title. The point is that they made a blunder when it comes to marketing their product to English speaking people that understand the nuances of the language. Selling a drink called “Pocari Sweat” isn't too bright a move when it comes to appealing to the English speaking demographic. Think of it this way, if you went down to the grocery store and saw a drink on the shelf called “Elephant Urine”, how likely would you be to try the product? Regardless of the fact that it's supposed to hydrate you and make you piss like an elephant, it sounds disgusting right? Proper language for the market the product is going to be in is essential.By the same token, I've seen products here that are sold in the US, but the names are slightly changed to be more natural sounding to the local population, which speaks mostly British influenced English. Caprisan becomes Capri-Sonne, as an example. Not sure how that difference is relevant, but apparently it is or they wouldn't have done it.
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Hmm… I'd buy a drink called 'Elephant Urine' immediately! I think would be cool to walk around with a can, haha. “Wow, look at that dude, he's drinkin' elephant urine, that dude's cool” (my imaginary encounter with random people)As for Capri-Sonne, 'Sonne' is the German word for 'sun'.
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@Rowena: My thoughts exactly.
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suffice it, never judge a can by its cover.
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Oh, believe me the Joy Juice is still quite available here in Singapore at the hawkers. I've never heard of Sinalco though.
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Forget the Pocari, all I can concentrate on is the use of the word sweat!Excuse me while I step outside and clear my throat…why do I feel like I need to gargle with Listerine now? 😛
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@Jerine: “Pocari” always makes me think of a pokemon.
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Hahaha, its not a bad drink actually. And its certainly not made of real sweat! Like Ben said, its meant to be drunk after a strenuous activity :-)To be honest, I havent seen much of them though. Also Sinalco and Kikapoo and others that I cant think at the top of my head which was rather popular in the 80's – 90's
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Thanks Ben! Figured it was something like that, but it doesn't come across quite right in English. ^_^
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OMG I;m the first to vote on your poll.Pocari sounds like some sumo wrestler
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Pocari's a well-known Japanese brand. Sweat is a sports drink like Gatorade. So you drink this to replenish the electrolytes that you sweated away while doing some strenuous activity. ;-p
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