ADVERTISEMENT

The main purpose of a sign is to communicate a message or convey information. Most are useful. But others are just plain stupid. Then there are super funny signs. And those that make no sense at all. But have you ever come across a sign that gave you goosebumps? And not in a good way.

r/ScarySigns is a spot on the internet dedicated to terrifying signs. The community has 434k members, and they’re obsessed with “signs found in the world that you don’t want to be near!” Keep scrolling for our top picks from the page, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that would stop you in your tracks. If you’re interested in finding out why some people enjoy watching or looking at things that scare them, like horror movies or these scary sign pics, read on to hear what the experts have to say.

Fear is a necessary human emotion. It alerts us to possible trouble so that we can react, which in turn helps us survive potentially deadly situations. When encountering danger, fear triggers us into fight-or-flight mode. We can either choose to go up against the perceived threat, or we can run away as fast as possible.

But there is another response… Freeze. When something just stops us in our tracks, and we make like Elsa in Frozen. Some of the signs pictured here have elicited that very response from the people who encountered them. Until they became unstuck enough to take a photograph and share it with the r/ScarySigns community.

#4

Tsunami Marker "Remember The Calamity Of The Great Tsunamis. Do Not Build Any Homes Below This Point"

Tsunami Marker "Remember The Calamity Of The Great Tsunamis. Do Not Build Any Homes Below This Point"

highdiver_2000 Report

ADVERTISEMENT

If fear is a negative emotion and a state that many of us don't necessarily like being in, why do we enjoy watching horror movies, or scrolling through photos of terrifying signs? According to experts, it has something to do with the chemicals our body releases after being scared.

#8

Inside The Boy’s Bathroom At School

Inside The Boy’s Bathroom At School

SkyaGold Report

Add photo comments
POST
Linda van A.
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This didn't make any sense to me because I thought it had something to do with Corona. I'm from the Netherlands and school shootings never crossed my mind.

Paula MV
Community Member
4 days ago

This comment has been deleted.

The Scout
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How very... American of you... There is only one single country where shool shootings are a significant problem. The overwhelming mayority of Americans even support rigorous gun control (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_opinion_on_gun_control_in_the_United_States#:~:text=75%25%20of%20American%20adults%20supported,of%20error%20of%20%2B%2F%2D%204%25.), yet no politician dares to address this, as too much lobby money is involved. Even Fox News 2019 polls showed a 90% support for universal background checks, and 67% favored banning assault weapons.

Novel Idesa
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the downvotes? This is 100% an American bathroom. My kids growing up with signs like this in their schools is the exact reason I'm encouraging them to move out of the US as soon as possible, so my future grandchildren won't have to live like this.

Load More Replies...
OneWithRatsAndKefir
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, this just makes me think of horror games that have ‘quick, the killer’s after you and there’s no human-sized vent, hide in the bathroom stall’ moments; how do Americans feel watching those moments in horror games if it’s a reality for some during school shootings? Genuine question. Does it take you out of the ‘reality’ of the game because it’s too real? Is it a darkly ‘funny’ ‘ah, yeah, same’ moment?

Anna Stephenson
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Took me a while to realise a "lockdown" meant school shooting- first thought was "that's a bit extreme for Covid!?" Second thought was "maybe the doors are electronic and occasionally "lock" unexpectedly??" Then I realised it meant school shootings and I felt incredibly sad! I just don't understand how a country can allow stuff like this to happen without doing anything to prevent it!?

Tom Brincefield
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am very happy for all of you who read this and didn't have a clue what it was talking about. May it remain ever so.

TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I question the stopping power of separation walls against calibres of 5.56mm (AR-15) and above. Locking the door probably would lead to a shooter firing through it on chest hight

Fellfromthemoon
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the advice intends to make the students not noticeable in the bathroom. It's unlikely that the shooter will try every single bathromm door to check, which one hides someone.

Load More Replies...
Verena
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shouldn't the door be unlocked? If it's locked, the panel outside turns from white or green to red, so even with feet on the seat, it is clear somebody is inside? This is how most European doors work. And what about these wide gaps around doors US toilets seem to have? I too needed time to understand what this is about. Why do parents accept this danger?

Tom Brincefield
Community Member
1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having an occupied indicator on the door would be too expensive for US local schools. They can't afford to purchase proper supplies for the children.

Load More Replies...
Stinky
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is incredibly sad to me that kids in the US go to school under threat of death on a daily basis......how on earth can the US STILL not institute much stricter gun laws?

Ladedah
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sincerely hope there is never an actual fire during a lock down...

Bored Trash Panda
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think it would be because of a fire.. my first thought went to shooter pulling the fire alarm to get kids to run

Load More Replies...
Magda Hassouni
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't imagine being a child and going through this alone in a bathroom stall... Just can't.

Glix Drap
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't really work if someone tries the door and finds it locked.

SammyLawrence27
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The locks are made of wet paper towels in terms of strength/durability, also the attacker could crawl under the walls easily in the vast majority of public bathrooms.

Load More Replies...
Donkey boi
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes sense. During a active shooter event, they could pull the fire alarm to try and draw a lot of people into a small area, the corridors.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

When You Perfectly Capture The Mood Of A Generation

When You Perfectly Capture The Mood Of A Generation

the_lamou Report

Margee Kerr has dedicated her career to learning as much about fear as she can. She’s a sociologist and the author of SCREAM: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear. She says fear floods our bodies with "feel-good" hormones. "Our arousal system is activated and triggers a cascade of 'feel good' neurotransmitters and hormones like endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline that influence our brains and our bodies," Kerr told The Huffington Post.

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Some Good Advice On The Big Island Of Hawai'i

Some Good Advice On The Big Island Of Hawai'i

variegatedbanana Report

Add photo comments
POST
Paula MV
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems obvious, but the last time we were on the Big Island during an eruption, a guide at the volcano told us every year someone touches the lava with their foot... only to pull their leg back and find that their foot is gone.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Highway 16, Canada. Over 80+ Confirmed Murders. Whose Got More Insight To This?

Highway 16, Canada. Over 80+ Confirmed Murders. Whose Got More Insight To This?

MichaelT1991 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jenn Anderson
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Google MMIW and Highway of Tears.. its all there and horrific that the RCMP willingly ignore when a certain group of women keep going missing

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

You’d most likely be watching a horror movie or scrolling through these pics in a place where you feel safe. Not while you’re in immediate, real danger. And that makes a big difference. “To really enjoy a scary situation, we have to know we’re in a safe environment,” Kerr told The Atlantic. “It’s all about triggering the amazing fight-or-flight response to experience the flood of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine, but in a completely safe space.”

#13

In Barbados

In Barbados

kjfdlhs Report

Add photo comments
POST
Glix Drap
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I get the bit about rain, but who just eats small fruit off a tree that is clearly unknown.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

In Chicago Near The Former Site Of The Argonne National Laboratory, An Early Site Used For The Manhattan Project

In Chicago Near The Former Site Of The Argonne National Laboratory, An Early Site Used For The Manhattan Project

Either_Coast Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Kerr says humans have been intentionally scaring themselves, and each other, since the dawn of time. "Through all kinds of methods like storytelling, jumping off cliffs, and popping out to startle each other from the recesses of some dark cave," she said.

The expert adds that there are various reasons for this. "To build group unity, to prepare kids for life in the scary world, and of course, to control behavior. But it's only really in the last few centuries that scaring ourselves for fun (and profit) has become a highly sought-after experience."

#16

Came To A Family Dollar In A Pretty Ghetto Area, The Restrooms Are Right Next To The Employee Break Area, And I Saw This Sign On The Way Out

Came To A Family Dollar In A Pretty Ghetto Area, The Restrooms Are Right Next To The Employee Break Area, And I Saw This Sign On The Way Out

Bruser75 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Remi (He/Him)
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good company as in they don't expect the employees to try and fight the robbers or something. Also having clear instructions is helpful if something happens. Small one or two people working locations are at risk of something happening even in better neighborhoods.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

"If You Talk Too Much, This Man May Die" - Written Around A Mirror (World War II)

"If You Talk Too Much, This Man May Die" - Written Around A Mirror (World War II)

CrithionLoren Report

Sometimes we put ourselves into a state of fear purely just to "feel." "For many people everyday life can feel overly routinized and even boring," said Dr. David Zald, director of the Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at Vanderbilt University. "By contrast, when scared we are fully aware, conscious and in the moment. We are not preoccupied thinking about what happened yesterday or what we have to do tomorrow." Have you ever noticed how you feel wide awake after getting a fright? Now you know why.

ADVERTISEMENT
#20

These Have Always Been The Scariest Signs To Me. Those Markers Aren’t Even Close To The River. Great Falls, Va

These Have Always Been The Scariest Signs To Me. Those Markers Aren’t Even Close To The River. Great Falls, Va

hallowissmol Report

Add photo comments
POST
VW Panda
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These signs are in great falls park about 100 yards from the Potomac, so yeah they are pretty close.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Not everyone enjoys fear. Some actually have a fear of fear. According to VeryWellMind, “Whereas most people experience fear only during a situation that is perceived as scary or threatening, those who live with anxiety disorders may become afraid that they will experience a fear response. They perceive their fear responses as negative and go out of their way to avoid those responses.”

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#24

Menacing Sign Over I-70 — Denver, Colorado

Menacing Sign Over I-70 — Denver, Colorado

ErasableHeart44 Report

Add photo comments
POST
August West
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are horrific stories of truckers who didn’t heed the warning

View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

What Is The Meaning Of This Sign? It's Been On The Sub A Few Times But I Couldn't Find A Concise Answer

What Is The Meaning Of This Sign? It's Been On The Sub A Few Times But I Couldn't Find A Concise Answer

Zhydrac Report

Note: this post originally had 93 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda