Gallery: signs of the times
Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind.
Bob Marley, Wake Up and Live
Our world is full of signs, both those we erect ourselves to convey a message, and the more subtle ones we can read in landscapes and nature. The latter include the signs that speak of changing seasons, like autumn leaves or buds on trees. There are signs in the rocks telling of seismic changes in the earthâs crust, or more subtly speaking of people that came before us.
On the other hand, our manmade signs tend to be more blunt. They shout out a warning, issue an instruction, lay down the law or cry out âbuy thisâ. While I considered including both types of sign in this collection for Johnâs Lens Artists challenge this week, I soon realised I had more than enough manmade signs to fill several posts!
I picked out a selection, many of which made me smile when I saw them. I have to admire, and appreciate, the efforts made in many countries to provide information or instructions in English when it isnât their mother tongue. But I do hope they wonât mind my amusement when the results arenât quite what they intended, just as I hope Iâd be happy to accept theirs at my own linguistic shortcomings!
Signs may be warning or welcoming, explain the rules or offer advice. Many speak of the culture of a country or its history. Propaganda in North Korea, revolutionary fervour in Cuba, religious observance in Nepal. But my feature photo is included simply because it is pretty; it was taken in Hoi An, Vietnam.
62 Comments
SoyBend
You found some great signs, Sarah. I liked the Elegant Elephant one and the one about not washing your feet in the sink. The loo one was funny! đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you again – I do love looking for quirky signs when I travel đ
Wetravelhappy
It’s weird that my comment last week did not show up. But I was saying in that comment that I agree that your feature photo is beautiful especially with the lavender colour. And I got excited when I saw your picture of Empty Quarter, because we are going there in December, but in Abu Dhabi side near Saudi! đ
Sarah Wilkie
That is weird because it did show up and I remember replying!
Philo
fab collection and such a variety!
Damascus click is interesting!
Wow! “Don’t wash feet” is an amazing sign!
Who has the capacity to lift a foot so high? Their back must be strong, and I was thinking only gymnasts can balance with one foot resting on the ground!
Sarah Wilkie
You’re right, I certainly couldn’t get my foot in the washbasins!
bluebrightly
A fabulous collection that I doubt anyone else could top! I love that loo sign, too – and so many others that your sharp sensibility and eyes caught. Syria, wow. No smoking OR durian eating in rooms – so funny. And no foot washing in the ladies room. Is the same sign displayed in the men’s room or not? đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much đ I’m glad you enjoyed these! But I can’t tell you about the men’s room as my husband didnât use and neither did I!
Leya
Always rewarding to travel with you, Sarah! This time again around the world. If I was to pick one of these, which is impossible really, it would be the bellringer. It speaks to me of simplicity that works.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Ann Christine. I see exactly what you mean about that bell đ
Anita
Wow, so many signs of different kinds you found!! It seems impossible to choose a favorite. Everyone is good in their own way several of which are humorous. Thanks for making me sit here and smile đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anita, glad to have raised a smile!
Wind Kisses
Always an enjoyable walk around the world with you Sarah. I especially loved the bell ringer in Cambodia. Did you get to use it for your own seating? I would have wanted to experience that. lol. And I loved the Silence sign in Nepal
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Donna đ No, we didn’t need to make use of that sign, the waiters were very attentive!
sheetalbravon
Fun signs, Sarah. I was smiling and admiring the variety of information they all conveyed. Elegant Elephants especially stood out.đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sheetal – I loved that elephant too!
grandmisadventures
Great assortment of signs with different meanings and feelings. I really love the more tongue in cheek kind of signs that give a chuckle when you read it đ
Sarah Wilkie
Glad I gave you some chuckles here đ
equinoxio21
Excellent selection. Durian is forbidden in Transport system in Singapore if I recall.
Now “Easy” street? Has to be the best…
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you đ Yes, ‘Easy Street’ is just so Jamaican, isn’t it?!
equinoxio21
Yeah, Mon.
Amy
Enjoyed reading these signs around the world, Sarah! Great selections. The sign of washing ones feet is different. đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Amy đ I’ve not seen anything quite like that one anywhere else, certainly!
Sofia Alves
Your post is like travelling the world without leaving my seat. Excellent selection, Sarah. Too many favourites to mention đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sofia đ As I started this post pretty much as a substitute for being able to travel during the Covid lockdowns, I’m glad to hear it’s still doing much the same for others!
Easymalc
Well! You’ve done it again Sarah. You certainly have an eye for photo opportunities, but more than that, you know how to turn those opportunities with superb skill into a brilliant post.
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thanks so much Malcolm đ I love finding details like this to photograph – the only challenge with this post was what to include and what to (reluctantly) leave out!
jazzibee
Super selection of signs, and you’ve collected these wherever you go. I wish I had collected more, just something I haven’t done. It’s obviously worth it.
Great set! and snappy title too đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much – yes, I do tend to photograph signs when I travel, especially any that are unusual or funny!
jazzibee
It’s a good practice!
Anonymous
I agree Sarah the feature photo is beautiful. You have a very interesting collection of signs here. I wonder if I have a few or any from my travels. But do you know which of your photos caught my attention the most? The one from
Empty Quarter! Weâre headed there in a few months but from Abu Dhabi side, near the border with Saudi. đ
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed them đ I was in Abu Dhabi some years ago for work. I had a chance to explore a little bit but didn’t get out into the desert at all. I’d be interested to read your impressions / see your photos – but who are you?!!
Forestwood
Hey Sarah,
That is a pretty cool collection. I liked the loo sign and the one taken in Damascas in 1996 is sadly ironic. Interesting to see what the Tropic of Capricorn looks like on the other side of the Pacific.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Amanda đ Yes, I imagine the Tropic of Capricorn looks a bit different in Australia?
JohnRH
Great selections. I’m with the ice cream!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks John – I love that message too!
Anonymous
Goo\d collection of signs Sarah. I like the one from CafĂŠ wall in Tirana. The foot washing one is amazing that they actually have to have a sign!!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you đ I guess people do strange things in airport toilets that they might not do anywhere else?!
Marie
The bell is great (Cambodia)!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, and a clever idea too đ
Monkey's Tale
A great assortment Sarah. I remember those signs in Vientiane. It still makes me giggle. đ Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Maggie, glad it wasn’t just me who found them odd!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I agree with others, the Syrian sign is very sad. I hope you didnât scratch at the Temple of Heaven, and I thoroughly approve of the Loo/Lou/Lulu sign.
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, no, I didn’t scratch (as far as I can recall!) I approved of Loo/Lou/Lulu too, I thought is was very clever.
Rose
I love your pretty feature photo. And I really like the Tropic of Capricorn in the Atacama Desert, Chile, it ‘feels’ like a sign of accomplishment, you’ve reached a special place.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rose, I enjoyed knowing I was crossing that invisible line in the Atacama!
photobyjohnbo
Great collection from around the world, Sarah! My favorite, though is Life is like an ice cream…
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John – I thought that was a great message đ
margaret21
I liked the admonitory one in Kerala. But the out-of-date banner welcoming one-and-all to Syria was unbearably sad and depressing. A wonderful selection.
Sarah Wilkie
Very sad, and deeply ironic. But it illustrates what the country once was, and maybe one day will be again.
margaret21
We can hope.
Mike and Kellye Hefner
These are great, Sarah! Some of them made me laugh, and some of them were fascinating. I love the Tropic of Capricorn sign because I’m weird that way – LOL. As far as Syria being a place of safety and peace, well, I’ll just say that things have changed in the last 20-something years. Your travels never cease to amaze me. Have a good week ahead.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Kellye đ Yes, there’s a real irony about that Syrian sign, yet at the time we couldn’t have known what might happen to that poor country.
thehungrytravellers.blog
Great collection again. Thereâs something very British (English even?) about being amused by erroneous translation, isnât there. We shouldnât laugh but we do. My favourite I think, from all of our travels, was, âPlease donât have a cook in your roomâ. Although just the other day Michaela came back laughing from a restaurant toilet, where the list of what not to put down the toilet included toothbrushesâŚ!
Sarah Wilkie
Ooh, I’ve not come across that one đ There is the by-now old-hat humorous one about not flushing goldfish etc! I love your cook example too. I guess we English, or at least we English-speakers, get more opportunity for this sort of amusement as there must be far more signs translated to our language than any other!
Sue
What. a great selection of world signs!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sue!
Sue
My pleasure!
Anne Sandler
I enjoyed your trip of world signs this morning Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne đ
Tina Schell
Well you covered it all with this one Sarah! Always fun to see international signs that don’t quite get our language perfectly but for sure they do a better job of translation than we do! Loved the sign about washing ones feet in the toilet – who knew that was a thing?!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tina đ Yes, I enjoyed that foot washing one! I have a feeling from the image that they meant the washbasin, but even so … Although you do see some strange behaviours at airports!