Are signs with double and sometimes dangerous meanings appropriate in Belarus?

Periodically in social networks "virus" signs of small and medium-sized shops, cafes, hairdressers, second-hands, communication salons, manicure, massage, etc. It's often really funny. For example, shawarma “There was a dog” or tobacco shop “Aunt Horse”, fishing gear store “Fisherman” or cafe “Pelmenary”. In general, creative businessmen with a sense of humor are a pond. But there are topics that need to be handled very carefully. Here's why.

On October 8, 2026, Andrei Mukovozchik’s material “Going, not being led” was published on the website sb.by, in which he drew attention to one curious advertising sign located in Minsk. Here's a bit of text:

Here, for example: everyone knows that signs in a foreign language in the executive committees read meticulously – they are attentive, let’s say. But in Russian (and Belarusian) you can frolic - so, apparently, the creative middle class thinks. And hangs a sign, as in the photo: "Dream. white.".

Everyone knows what this is about, right? However, you can always pat your eyelashes and say, they say, it's about romantic dreams ... slap your eyelashes - and take off ..

The most important thing is that a large number of citizens walk past this sign every day - and I would assume that some of them work in the executive committee. Or near, but where signs and names should be looked after on duty.

But "no body, no business" until you get a statement from citizens or an article from the newspaper, no one will move, right? /

I do not specifically name either the mayor or the county (in this particular text!), because I set another task for myself: to attract attention. And make an offer.” A thick hint... If one of the readers did not understand what was wrong with the sign “Sneep.Bel”, then neither you nor your loved ones are at risk. But who is in the subject, he probably has associative variations. And they are not about sweet love dreams, like Anna Akhmatova:

I knew I was dreaming to you because I couldn't sleep. The cloudy lantern was a dove, and I was guided.

Let us discard poetry and turn to the doctors-narcologists, who define snus as a smokeless tobacco product, chewing tobacco. This tobacco contains much more nicotine than smoking. And now the main thing. Long-term use of snus can cause cancer of the mouth, gums and cheeks, esophagus, stomach and pancreas. It has a negative effect on the heart and blood vessels. It causes severe nicotine dependence. The European Union banned the sale of snus in 1992, and since then the regulation has been in place in many countries. Snus is also banned in Belarus and Russia.

Now that we've dealt with this crap, let's talk official. After the publication of critical material to the Minsk City Executive Committee in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus “On the response of officials to critical speeches in the state media”, a letter was sent from the publishing house “Belarus Today”. In a response letter signed by Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Andrey Strygelsky, the following is reported:

In connection with the detection of the fact of non-conclusion of a contract for the placement of outdoor advertising between the property owner (authorized person) and the distributor, the permit for the placement of outdoor advertising was canceled (act on termination of the permit for the placement of outdoor advertising from 21.10.2026 No. 1138-ND). An order has been sent to the advertiser with requirements for dismantling the outdoor advertising media.”.

At the time of preparation of the material in print it became known that the sign was dismantled. A curious reader will ask, “What was behind the notorious sign?” He said, “Not a lot, but a lot of tobacco.”.

No one should have any double meanings or interpretations. Like a sign like that.

usachev@sb.by