Take a wild tour through the world of wonderfully unintentional (and sometimes very intentional) humor in public signage. This collection will have you double-checking what you just read, laughing out loud in public, and maybe feeling a little better about your own day. Buckle up for a sign safari!
“Beware of the dog”
Those warning signs look serious, but the dogs behind them are all just radiating pure, wholesome goofiness. Who could even be afraid of these furry faces? You can practically hear the “we’re good boys!” energy coming through the gate. Beware of dog? More like beware of uncontrollable laughter.
“Stay in school, kids.”
Did someone really just write ‘clear ants’ and tape it up? Now I can’t unsee it, and I’m left nervously wondering if there’s an ant problem in the clearance aisle. This might be the most confusing spelling journey ever. It’s like the clearance section took a left turn into an ant colony.
"Can't interrupt lunch"
Signs are tough. Sometimes it's necessary to convey multiple pieces of information while trying to keep things clear and easy to understand.
Of course, these two traits often run into direct opposition with one another and suddenly, everyone's eating children.
"How the !@#$ did chips wind up in this aisle?"
The best part of this sign is how planned it all seems, especially with that 'and' before 'chips.'
It comes off almost like a short poem, similar to the Pepto-Bismol jingle.
“I’m confused”
When ad placement goes very, very wrong. Suddenly I’m imagining a Volkswagen-KFC Frankenstein vehicle run by potatoes and fueled by, apparently, ‘mushrooms & coke’. Innovation has reached a new level. This is corporate synergy at its finest or its wildest. Someone needs to check what those marketing departments are actually having for lunch.
“Don't kill the spirits ”
That escalated quickly! At first, this sign is just a gentle reminder to be nice to the staff. By the end, it’s a full-on recruitment ad. You can almost hear the collective sigh from the employees. Please, just let them live their best customer service lives—in peace.
"At least it's honest"
Genuine fake watches sounds like an oxymoron, but it doesn't necessarily have to be — especially if this place is selling watches that are genuinely fake.
Weirdly enough, an actual Rolex would be a fake fake watch.
"No beating guests"
Some things shouldn't really necessitate signs, and a directive to not beat your guests would seemingly fall into this category.
However, some people clearly need a reminder.
“saw this today in a restroom not open to the public”
Sometimes you need clear instructions, and sometimes you get… whatever this is. Is it an avant-garde art piece? A mysterious restroom warning? Who knew restroom etiquette could be this interpretive? I’m just glad there’s a helpful thumbs up to guide my decisions.
“Portland being Portland.”
Portland, you never disappoint. Signs telling you exactly what you’re looking at, down to the pole holding up the other signs. If only all cities were this honest about their infrastructure. It’s like street signage for people who have questions but don’t want to ask.
"Hardest days of the week"
Saturday and Sunday kick off the weekend, but when you extend the weekend to the following Wednesday, things get tough.
However, if you just keep that weekend rolling and never go back to work, it starts to get easier.
"Teachers the last day before Christmas break"
For parents, Christmas break is the start of chaos season. For teachers — assuming they don't have young kids — it's the start of party season.
Judging by this sign, they're pretty eager to start.
“You’ll never need a bank.”
Who needs banks when there’s a spinning wheel with the promise of casino riches? Just cash your check and put your financial future in the hands of fate—and a slot machine. Savings accounts are canceled. Wheel spins are the new 401(k). Longhorn Casino, you are bold.
“Italian”
At first glance, it looks like this Italian restaurant is declaring itself to be ‘Italian AF’. A bold (and somehow, very credible) marketing move! It takes confidence to announce your cultural authenticity in such modern slang. Pasta and memes, anyone?
"Please, do not feed your children to the dinosaurs"
It's a good idea to remind their parents not to carelessly dangle their kids over animal enclosures at the zoo.
That said, I don't know what zoo animal this sign is trying to depict, unless this sign is literally from Jurassic Park.
"So if it's not a door...why a door?"
Do you ever see a sign that causes you to question your own sanity? Yeah, me neither.
The opposing arrows on this confusing sign just make things all the more mysterious.
Sounds like a challenge
Find a spelling error, save some money! Honestly, this should be a national contest. Some people come for the food; I come for the orthographic scavenger hunt. The secret menu item is actually ‘Validation’ with a side of 10% off.
“Who rolled your taco?”
This taco truck has gone above and beyond to let you know about their very specific rolling technique.
And also Carlos, who fills in as needed. Food truck marketing with a sense of humor. Suddenly I’m craving tacos — and a backstory on Carlos.
"I have questions..."
I have a question (well, many questions): is the elevator okay?
If it's calling out in the night, maybe it's lonely and needs a little more love from the property manager.
“Is this even legal?”
Stop sign edit wars are getting creative! Not eating animals is a bold message—until someone tacks on the essential disclaimer: ‘WITHOUT BBQ SAUCE’. Nice try, vegans, but the BBQ crowd is undefeated in the art of comeback.
“Just asking”
A billboard that asks if you’re okay, only to be given the realest answer: ‘No, next question’. Somebody had a mood and went for it. That’s the kind of energy I’m bringing into my next therapy session.
“And that is how you do it!”
Want WiFi? There are rules: clean the kitchen, supply photographic evidence, and don’t even think about using an old pic! Moms have finally mastered the art of parental control—via crackers and The Hunger Games reference. May the odds be ever in your favor (and your chores done).
“Auto shop wants you to know”
This auto shop gets creative—haikus and car maintenance, an unlikely but hilarious combo. The wheels might not make sense, but at least the poem does. Sometimes poetry and practical advice go hand in hand, even if you’re just here for a tire rotation.
“Never”
There are protest signs, and then there’s absolute internet gold: ‘STOP killing doctors to make Dr Pepper’. The dedication to the bit is as strong as the thirst for that classic soda. Somewhere, the Dr Pepper marketing team is taking notes.
“Hacked by a 4 year old.”
Road construction never looked so childish. Someone hacked the board, and now the whole highway is giggling like a 12-year-old. Sometimes, all you need is a ‘peepee poopoo’ message to instantly raise morale—or cause total confusion for passing drivers.
“Don't forget!”
Whoever designed these senior center signs had a very specific audience—and an urgent message: DON’T FORGET. With that many reminders, even I’m starting to wonder if I should turn left!
“Math is always problem”
Math is, apparently, a challenge for everyone—even whoever made this sign. Suddenly, laps around the field become a riddle. Maybe it’s just an incentive to keep running. Who needs math when you’re already getting your steps in?
“Found in a restroom”
Bathroom graffiti being replaced by deadpan notes. If your business is breaking plumbing or befouling the facilities, it’s time for a professional (or a priest). From health insurance to exorcism, this restroom has officially given up hope.
“Ruh-roh!”
A note to remember the face of the valet who parked your car, because—surprise—there is no valet parking or valet at all. Guess you’ll be walking home, and learning to never trust fancy handwriting.
“Never stop learning”
Now that’s some advice you can really use! Why learn from your own mistakes when you can observe the disasters caused by people who actually listened to you? This sign is humble, honest, and pretty much sums up every advice column ever.
“I’m concerned”
If you see a label for ‘child meat’ in your local grocer’s case, maybe it’s time to shop elsewhere or call the authorities—or at least the manager. Let’s just hope it's a translation error, not an evil butcher’s promotional campaign.
“Do you want to?”
Do you want to learn to play the banjo? Apparently not—judging from the collective NO THANKS tabs ripped off this flyer. At least there’s an honest response. Somewhere, a banjo teacher gently weeps.
“Now that's a good advice!”
Nature strikes again, this time with some brutally honest advice. Fart squirrels isn’t their official species name—but honestly, it should be. Don’t pet them unless you’re prepared for consequences. Only on this trail, apparently!
"Trying to figure out how to get in this place"
The best part of this sign is how authentic it seems.
It's the directive someone might give you when they're trying to explain how doors work, but they've had a few too many beforehand.
“where are my people at ”
Shoutout to everyone who remembers their childhood phone number but needs a sticky note to get through modern password requirements. We’re all in this together. If you know, you know—you are my people.