You'd think making a sign would be pretty straightforward. Figure out what you want to say, write it down, and make sure people can actually understand it. Apparently, that last part is harder than it sounds. Some of these signs are so poorly worded that it's hard to believe nobody caught the mistake before putting them up. Others are just so ridiculous that you have to wonder what the person responsible was thinking.
Thanks for the Instructions
This store has had enough customers trying to walk through the glass. The sign politely reminds everyone to open the door before entering, which is generally how doors work. You have to wonder how many people walked straight into it before someone decided this needed to be put in writing.
Make Up Your Mind
Dr. Walk-In sounds like a doctor who'd be happy to see you whenever you show up. Then you read the fine print and discover that appointments are mandatory. So much for the whole walking-in part.
Isn't That the Point?
A car wash asking customers to clean their cars before coming in seems to defeat the whole purpose. Are they expecting everyone to show up with a bucket and sponge first? At that point, you might as well save your money and finish the job yourself.
We Hope So
Good thing they put up a sign, because we almost mistook this giant pile of peanuts for something else. It's hard to imagine anyone needing help identifying what's in this bin. Still, the store has officially confirmed that the peanuts do, in fact, contain peanuts.
Definitely Not a Drill
A giant hammer seems like a fitting place for a sign that says, "This is not a drill." Somewhere, a dad is driving past this sign and laughing way too hard.
Thanks for the Warning
Apparently, people kept hitting this pole, so someone decided it needed a warning sign. The instructions are pretty straightforward, although avoiding large wooden objects is generally a good driving habit. We're curious how many accidents it took before someone put this up.
So Much for Hope
Hope Valley sounds like a lovely place to live, until you read the sign underneath it. Having "Dead End" directly below "Hope Valley" makes the whole thing sound like a depressing life lesson. Whoever named this road probably didn't expect it to turn into an existential crisis.
Exit at Your Own Risk
Using this door is grounds for getting kicked out. The punishment seems pretty easy to accept when you're already on your way out. Whoever wrote this warning might want to rethink their approach.
A Little Late for That
The sign says the trail is unsafe when it's underwater, which seems like useful information. Unfortunately, the warning is already halfway submerged in floodwater. Anyone who made it this far probably figured out the danger without needing to read the sign.
Laugh Now, Call Later
There's a time and place for laughing, and witnessing someone drown is definitely not it. We're pretty sure the person who designed this sign wasn't trying to encourage people to laugh before calling for help. Still, that's one unfortunate way to turn a serious safety warning into a joke.
Free, For a Price
Who doesn't love free coffee, especially when you're spending the afternoon at the library? Unfortunately, this particular deal comes with a $1 price tag. Someone might want to explain to the staff what the word "free" actually means.
Too Late
There's something about a sign telling you not to read it that makes you want to read it even more. Of course, by the time you realize it's private, you've already broken the rules. Whoever put this up has basically guaranteed that everyone walking past will do exactly what they were told not to.
The Lunch Thief
Keith has apparently had enough of squirrels stealing his lunch, and now the entire library has been dragged into the investigation. Anyone returning a book has to announce they're not a squirrel, which seems like a reasonable request until you imagine actually shouting it.
Give Bubbles a Hand
Someone tried to make a handwashing reminder a little more fun, but the wording could use some work. Are employees supposed to wash their hands or stand around applauding the bubbles?
Eyes Off
Apparently, this mirror is off-limits until further notice. That's a pretty difficult rule to follow when all you have to do is stand in front of it. Hopefully nobody gets in trouble for accidentally catching their reflection.
Watch Your Step
It's not every day you see a warning telling people not to walk into a wall. Apparently, there used to be a door here, and someone was worried people might keep trying to use it. We really hope this sign went up before anyone learned the hard way.
Every Man for Himself
Whoever put together this evacuation plan clearly believes in keeping things simple. Forget emergency exits, designated meeting points, or anything else that might actually be helpful. When disaster strikes, everyone is on their own.
Anything but the Doorbell
It's hard to trust a repair shop that can't get its own doorbell working. Dave might be great at fixing everything else, but this isn't exactly a convincing first impression. We'd probably try another repair shop before handing over anything expensive.
The Most Dangerous Dog
This might be the first "Beware of Dog" sign that's actually warning people about lunch. The only thing threatening visitors here is a hot dog sitting on a picnic table. To be fair, we'd be pretty upset if someone stole our food, too.
An Unfortunate Reminder
Closing a van door shouldn't turn a perfectly innocent message into something that sounds like a threat. This was clearly supposed to encourage people to practice their skills, but the sliding door had other plans. Maybe someone should have practiced their sign placement first.
The Walking Dead
We've all been stuck behind someone walking at a snail's pace because they're too busy scrolling to look up. At least this sign gives the phenomenon a proper name. The real danger is that the smartphone zombies probably won't notice the warning anyway.
Famous Last Words
“Just do it” might be a great slogan for sneakers, but putting “Do It” on an axe feels like a questionable marketing decision. It's the kind of message that sounds a lot more threatening when there's a sharp blade attached. Maybe this is one product that doesn't need any extra encouragement.
Ants Only
This footpath is closed to everyone except ten very specific ants. We're not sure how they're planning to enforce that limit, but the eleventh ant is going to have some explaining to do. Hopefully, the construction crew has someone keeping count.
Breaking the Rules
Someone had to put up a sign telling people they aren't allowed to put up signs. Technically, that means the person responsible broke the very rule they're trying to enforce. We'd love to know whether this one is exempt or if it's just waiting for someone to come take it down.
Wrong Way Around
Road signs are supposed to make driving less confusing, not give people another reason to second-guess themselves. Imagine being lost, looking for some reassurance that you're headed in the right direction, and coming across this. We'd probably just turn around and hope for the best.
A Historic Non-Event
Most historical markers commemorate battles, famous people, or important discoveries, but apparently this spot had a pretty uneventful year. You have to wonder who decided that 1897 deserved its own plaque anyway. Maybe the town was just proud to have made it through an entire year without anything worth mentioning.
Emergencies by Appointment
Imagine showing up at the emergency room and being told you should have made an appointment first. That's a pretty bold policy for a department that exists to handle the unexpected. Being in a crisis isn't a good enough excuse for dropping by unannounced.
Slippery When Submerged
Of all the places to put a wet floor sign, the bottom of a swimming pool seems pretty unnecessary. Anyone who's made it that far is probably already aware of the water situation.
Worth Getting Fired For
Giving employees access to a laser engraver and expecting them not to make ridiculous things with it seems a little optimistic. This person didn't even try to hide the evidence, choosing instead to turn their rule-breaking into a permanent meme.
Five More Minutes
This might be the smartest way to take a break without having to explain yourself to impatient customers. Anyone who comes back and reads the sign again has technically followed the instructions perfectly. The only problem is that five minutes could turn into half an hour before they realize they've been played.
