Eastside 101: That Stupid Nut and Bolt Sign
by EL CHAVO!
It’s silly. Stupid. Juvenile. Crude. And maybe just a bit wrong, but I still get a kick when I catch a glimpse of this sign of a bolt chasing a screw nut (or are they both just running to help out at some new construction project?) from the 5 freeway, near the corner of Telegraph and La Verne, technically in City of Commerce. It’s been there for as long as I can remember, since back when I was an esquincle and much more of a mocoso. I bet you’ve all seen it.
Man, that’s such a dumb advertising sign. Thumbs Up!
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You’re right. It seems funny and disturbing at the same time. I think the most uncomfortable part of it is that it looks like she’s trying to get away from him, with her arms extended and looking rather helpless, whereas, with his own arms positioned like he’s running a race, you get the impression the bolt is on a mission (to get her or something).
If that’s indeed the story, it seems to reify the idea that that is the nature of male-female sexual relationships: that men want it, women don’t, so men must get it by any means possible.
Okay, I’ve had a lot of coffee this morning.
The only greater public advertisement in Los Angeles is the Western Exterminator Co. man.
Yep–that has been around since I even understood what it meant. So I guess here’s proof that there’s a corner of the eastside where adhering to sexual harassment laws does not exist. That, and calendars of naked women on cars, pretty much keeps me from shopping comfortably in these businesses. Maybe its meant to keep women out.
Isn’t the nut supposed to say to the bolt… “not without the washer”? Maybe some WD-40 too.
I can’t believe that stupid paint has lasted all those years. I see that sign almost every day.
Victoria — a corner of the eastside??? have you listened to the spanish radio stations? they are the worst!!! I am glad El Cucuy is out. There are a few offenders still on the airwaves. Also the stupid ads do not help either. I can’t believe that they allow them on the air. I used to work in advertising and we were very discreet about ads and content. There is some way to get the message accross without being vulgar.
^Second that. I can’t stand El Cucuy, his stupid crude jokes and lame voices, ugh! Then again, on English radio you have people like Tom Leykis.
Does anyone else miss Jaime Piña and Humberto Luna as the top Spanish-language DJs in L.A.?
I remember when I used to live in Mexico (1977-86), my aunt would send my mom recordings of Humberto Luna.
excuse me sir but i think its a BOLT AND A NUT
bolts are always out there lookin for that nut
Oops. I am truly an idiot, and I missed a good opportunity to use the word nut! Thanks for the correction tony and Urbanista.
maybe it was a Freudian slip
I grew up around this area and remember this image from since I was a little girl. I haven’t been down there in a while and almost forgot about it! I always thought it was hilarious. I’d always get a kick out of it when I was younger. It’s also interesting that there is little designation of gender in the arms and legs of the characters. Seeing this image upclose, one can begin to read them as two female figures.
But it’s clear that the bolt is way too small for the nut. She’s like a 5/8ths and he’s only a 3/16ths.