Happy Half Hour

I understand the language barrier of disparate cultures — the difficulty in making oneself understood because of a lack of common reference points. But isn't TIME pretty much universal?! Clocks. Hands. Hours. The freakin' sun?!

Yet I eat at this Chinese ramen joint in San Francisco once in a while that has a big sign outside for their "Happy Hour Special!" A giant bowl of soup and a beer for 8 bucks. Great deal, right? Here's the weird part... "Happy Hour Special" is from 5 to 6 PM. but the restaurant doesn't open until 5:30!

I don't mind it's only a Happy Half-Hour, but why don't THEY get it?

I normally wouldn't say anything — I never do in restaurants, as I'm allergic to waiter spit — but I had to ask, "What's the deal?" Here's the language barrier part. The waiter laughs, nod, smiles...and pours me more tea.