Signs are not the boss of me (or of you), but they often convey useful information. For example, this sign reminds of us of responsibilities that come with being a dog owner (or dog guardian, depending on your jurisdiction):
You’ll notice that the sign advising you to clean up after your pet actually dispenses biodegradable gloves with which you can scoop the poop. This is a sign doing everything it can to help you follow its directions.
Other signs are more focused on our safety than on getting us to behave responsibly towards others in our shared public spaces. For instance, this sign:
Do you want to hang around by the shoreline to witness firsthand the cause and effect relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis? The sign would suggest that you make such observations from higher ground. So if the earth moved for you, what are you waiting for?!
I’m good with individual signs. But present them in combination and I feel like I need an official “order of operations” rule so I know which sign has priority.
Presented with this combination:
I can’t help imagining myself walking a dog who has defecated just as a temblor has started. What’s the right thing to do? Ought one to scoop the poop before seeking higher ground (ensuring that no one else fleeing the shoreline risks slipping on that poop)? Or can one leave it to the tsunami to cleanse away the doggy doo?
It’s probably best for all concerned that I don’t live by the shoreline and that I don’t have a dog.
Degradable Pick-Up Mitt? Is that Mitt….Romney?
I’ve noticed that over the last year or so I’ve developed an urge to photograph unusual signs I run into. I did an entire blog post revolving around the signs in one of the areas of Yellowstone National Park. The “Caution: Geysers May Emit Children” warning sign still cracks me up…
And I’m still curious how, exactly, one goes about performing the Squirrel Dance. Perhaps youtube has something.
I’ll try to find my pic of it if I can, but my favorite sign I saw in the Zen Garden located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which asks (advises?) that you “Stay on the Path”.
Geysers Emit Children? In some European countries, children are supposed to come from ponds or wells, but I always thought this was just a story….
The San Francisco coastal trail has pretty explicit signs. One of them amplifies on the “Stay on Trail” concept, stating “People Have Fallen From This Cliff And Been Killed”. They also have ones near the rocks in the Bay that say, “People Have Been Swept From The Rocks And Drowned”.
Sign allegedly in British Columbia, from posted photo: “BEWARE. These steps were constructed for fit and agile people: rock climbers. They conform to no known building standards. They were constructed to prevent erosion of this hillside and not to provide easy access for everyone who felt like walking up here. They will tax your heart going up and your joints and balance going down. USE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK.”
Irregular stairs in old building in Wales have two signs: one of person falling, and one of person holding head and wincing, either nursing head injury or thinking, “Why didn’t I pay attention to the first sign?”
I liked two signs on the same pole on a rural road in Sussex, England: symbols for Cattle Crossing and Slippery Road.
Touristy town in Maine: “CRUNCH ZONE. Cars parked here will be crushed while you dine or shop for stuff. Have a nice day.” (In the photo there is a car parked there.)
Seen in store: “Unaccompanied children will be given an espresso and a free puppy.”
New York City: “NO PARKING Not 5 minutes Not 30 seconds NOT AT ALL!”
NYC also has signs that say, “Don’t even THINK about parking here!”