Funny signs at work
I think signs are funny, especially homemade signs. People often make signs in the heat of the moment, not putting sufficient thought into a written statement (or instruction) that might end up plastered to a wall or door for months or even years. I really appreciate seeing the permanence of temporary emotions (especially frustration).
While waiting for a meeting today, I noticed that the break room on another floor has some really funny signs. I mean, these are classics. Obviously, the people were pissed when they made these signs, and I especially appreciate the creatively inconsistent fonts, text size, grammar, and color. It’s a really smorgasbord. Also, all of these signs were written in ALL CAPS (a sure sign of frustration), but I’ve spared you that visual annoyance.
First, the carpetbombing-style angry message. I can appreciate this one because it reads like a prayer before dinner. The text in red was written after-the-fact in red marker, which reminds me of a kid chiming in after the prayer with a smart-aleck comment. So read it that way!
It is no one else’s job or responsibility to clean up after another,
Please be respectful and clean up after yourself when using the kitchen facility
Thank you
This applies to the microwave, also!
CLEAN YOUR SPLATTER!
Nearby is a stern warning about the coffee. I’m a big fan of the creative spellings and poor wording here.
This is a fire hazard
Security has left us messages to this effect
Please be aware:
If you take the last cup of coffee, & do not have time to make a fresh pot, please turn the burner lite off!
On numerous occasions we have found the coffee pot burning
I can verify that burning coffee pots are a serious problem around the office. Anyway, last but certainly not least is a rather detached (and yet somehow authoritative) sign on the fridge.
When closing the refrigerator door please make sure itis closed tight.
I have been told the door is being left open.
Thank-you for your cooperation
Corporate life. Never gets boring.
March 31st, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Good post Thomas. Different, but still quite funny are the notes scattered around the Tennis household. I’m sure you have something good to say about those. Now can you please write a freaking email? Good god.
Anyway, I agree, I think the workplace can be one of the most entertaining places ever. I have the misfortune to have my cube placed such that my cubicle opening is adjacent to a frequently walked corner. This means that instead of people walking by my cube and moving on, not making eye contact, they are turning towards me every time they walk by, and I’m forced into uncomfortable eye contact. I’ve tried not looking up, but it’s virtually impossible. To make matters worse, my boss’s office door faces my cubicle opening, so every time she comes or goes we both have a choice to make: awkward eye contact, possibly with an eyebrow raise (in this context the most meaningless jesture in all of western social interaction) or total avoidance. It started with more of the eyebrow raise, but has since moved on to obvious avoidance. Still, it makes me wanna stab myself with a letter opener.
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:37 pm
Ah yes. I like it when the signs have been up for years and years. The coffee burning sign was posted circa 2001.
And the fridge sign was about the time when we got a new fridge–the old fridge’s problem was that the door never shut. So they got a new fridge–that does the exact same thing. circa 2003.
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:40 pm
Now that I no longer work at said workplace, and now i work at home (for the time being), I should make silly signs for myself about things that I do that annoy myself. I’m a bad cabinet door closer. I leave the blasted things open all the time. Perhaps there should be a sign that reads:
When opening a cabinet door, please make sure to close it when you are done.
Thank you,
The Management
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:43 pm
Of course, there is pure office ironic wit in that sign, because when the cabinet door is open, you would no longer be able to read the sign.
But then to outwit myself, I could ALSO post a sign on the INSIDE of the cabinet door.
April 2nd, 2006 at 11:43 pm
Actually, I did just that at my old apartment. I had a refrigerator that didn’t close well (same problem addressed as in the sign above). So I made a little sign that said “SHUT DOOR FIRMLY!” and stuck it on there. It was there for the entire two years I lived there.
One time someone was over and asked who had made the sign. I said I did. She gave me a weird look.
April 3rd, 2006 at 12:28 am
Outwitting yourself is not corporate style.
October 9th, 2007 at 4:57 am
Wazzup!
What do you think about Apple Iogo? >:)