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Communication is key, but we often forget that it’s just as important in front of a store or on the road as with other people. Fortunately, our species developed the idea of a sign a pretty long time ago. It’s so common, we generally overlook them, unless, of course, we see something completely unexpected. Things like “stop” or “no dogs” contextually make a lot of sense, but if you saw “no frogs” that might start to raise some questions. 

These two Instagram pages, which can be explored here and here, gather user-submitted funny and unusual signs from around the world. So give them a look, try to work out why this sign was needed in the first place, and upvote your favorites. 

More info: Instagram | Instagram

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The world is full of placenames that carry enough secondary meanings to entice people to loot local signage. A simple and somewhat crass example would be Ragged Ass Road in Yellowknife, Canada, where the city had to weld the sign to the post. They also started to sell replicas of the sign locally, so people would have an alternative to theft. 

In a similar vein, the sign for Butt Hole Road in England was also a frequent victim of theft, as well as a welcome sign for the wonderfully named village of Shitterton. In the case of Butt Hole Road, it was ultimately renamed to Archers Way, after residents grew tired of both the constant theft and no doubt endless jokes about the area. The people of Shitterton were more resolute, instead having the sign chiseled into a massive stone that the average thief might struggle to steal. Seems like a potential plot for a pretty low-stakes heist movie. 

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As one can imagine, the United States isn’t immune from this plague as well, as any sign with 69 or 420 is subjected to frequent theft. Mile markers that read 66.6 get stolen quite often as well, though it seems like a simple solution would be to move them just 0.1 of a mile away. Though one must expect that whatever contractor is responsible for replacing it is pretty happy with the whole situation. 

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Kat Hoth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before phones or e-readers, I would always walk with my nose in a book.

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#8

50 Times Signs Were So Funny, They Had To Be Shared On This Instagram Page

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cookie_cat
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10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me: sorry I don't have what ur looking for, try the guy next door

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Like in the United Kingdom, some places just have less-than-fortunate names, such as Harry Baals Drive in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the sign, inevitably, used to get constantly stolen. It was replaced with a sign reading "H. W. Baals Dr," which may have somewhat alleviated the issue, but it just underlines the fact that anything remotely recognizable, like a sign denoting “South Park,” or anything vaguely humorous will end up taken. 

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DadManBlues
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You didn't get it. The shorter you say, the higher the price. If you do not speak, the price is infinite.

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Savithri Amendra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And how about ' Hello Good morning dear, one small coffee please" free coffee

Id row
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Can I have it free if I give you a shout out to my 12 followers?" $25.00

pfeils wife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sad that they have to resort to this just for some basic human courtesy

Isabel Care
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too nervous to talk? Smile and wave, and hand them a polite note with your request.

Jackie Le
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Hello, greetings, howdy, hi, salutations my good sir, may I have one single small tiny coffee please?”

Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeez, you really expect me to talk before my coffee? I can't afford this place.

Nezuko_Chan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Hello how are you doing today? One small coffee please. Have a nice day!”

cookie_cat
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me: "Hello, how are you? May I please have one small coffee? Thank you!" *gets coffee for like five cents*

Brenda S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously. Make eye contact and acknowledge the existence of the PERSON getting your sorry a*s your coffee. So little to change needed to make this a better world to live in. Be Kind.

Mary Peace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Good day, you handsome person, I'd like one small coffee, please. Is that 1.25$, thank you so much."

Riley Quinn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I can speak for waitstaff the globe over, this pricing should be mandatory.

Sarah
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about hello how are you may I please get a coffee please? Thank you? *Gets it for free!!!

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Momma Panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got fired on monday, but still have to come in for the next month. No one told me I have to be on time so this works perfect 😂

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Commercial signs tend to be stolen less often because they are generally not as “interesting” to people with an inclination for larceny. Both ancient Rome and China both had examples of businesses advertising a brand or events using publicly visible street signs. In China, sign printing would include a trademark, most famously a white rabbit, to designate that this shop has items from a specific manufacturer. 

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freakingbee is going offline
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i'm the one who has to clean my bathroom...and i have an 11 year old brother so i've seen some things

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While these days we might be annoyed at the bombardment of signs, ads, and neon lights, Medieval shopkeepers and craftspeople were often explicitly ordered to display signs. In England, Richard II passed a law that stated "Whosoever shall brew ale in the town with intention of selling it must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forfeit his ale," although this was more to help inspectors quickly find locations that brewed alcoholic beverages.

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Originally, these signs would designate just what sort of thing you could buy inside, but in larger urban areas, as there would be multiple of the same store, businesses started to develop their own names and symbols to stand out from the crowd. Over time, many would display royal coats of arms to fake royal endorsements, until laws were passed to specifically prevent such manipulation. 

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Mike_The_Nike
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i was in a beuty shop (in a different state) and their was a sign that said “children left unattended will be given a puppy and an energy drink”

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Robert T
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It confuses their sense of direction. They won't know if they are coming or going!

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Isa's left eye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get the joke but I don't like it. If the roles were reversed, it would be considered misogynistic. Misandry is no better than misogyny.

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one keeps appearing. It's a real warning sign in St Lucia crocodile park in KZN, South Africa.

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真壁まつり
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a pool so fish will be generated if I just try to pull when feel a bite Makes sense

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DrumKat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To counter that statement ladies and gentlemen, I give you Donald Trump.

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Em
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had this on the liquor store sign for ages (with "ex" rather than "girlfriend"). Most people loved it, but a few would go "nah, her heart was frozen!" At which point I, utterly straight-faced, would reach into the back of That One Cooler, and hand them a beer with a quarter inch of ice adhered to the top of the can.

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David Paterson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I've been there. Can thoroughly recommend the winery at Avoca. Glad they didn't remove the middle "a" from Ballarat.

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Robert T
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There used to be a roadsign in the UK (particularly Scotland) that said "HEAVY PLANT CROSSING", for ever know in our family as "big dandelions on road".

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VonBlade
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you wear heels on a cobbles street you deserve all you get.

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Lakota Wolf
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Google Translate has informed me that the circled part says "Forbidden feces. Thank you for your cooperation." I'll ask my boyfriend what it REALLY says in the morning (it's 4:40am here) and I'll post a reply to myself with his translation XD

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you can't fit jack and rose on the same door plus the sharks are going to eat you.

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the issue here is it's meant to be a public park so why can't I go into it or sit there at the very obvious seats...

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