# Silly things you've seen in public **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607 "2014-08-01T21:48:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/81 "2014-08-07T12:49:13Z")
> [@TPWombat](#): > > Signs were put up in our restrooms at work that said “Please leave these toilets in the condition you expect to find them” > > I briefly contemplated stealing all the loo rolls and pissing all over the seats. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaad choice of wording there. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/82 "2014-08-07T13:00:51Z")
A recreational lake nearby has a sign on BoatRamp Road that says **Road Ends In Water**. I asked one of the rangers about it. Turns out they had a lawsuit they had to defend when a guy drove down the road and right into the lake. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/83 "2014-08-07T13:52:40Z")
> [@simster](#): > > The point was - the “potential for distraction” is not the silly part - there are lots of potential distractions while driving - you need to learn to handle them. > > I suspect, that for you, the real silliness was the message the driver was promoting - and that, indeed, may be silly - not unlike many organizations messages they feel the need to push on others at any cost. > > - Immediately pulling to the right may be the exact WRONG thing to do - you need to first ascertain direction of travel, where the emergency vehicle is and then respond appropriately - else you may find yourself blocking the vehicle in question or making things worse. I agree with you there, Simster. And the direction of approach of an emergency vehicle is not easy to ascertain–I look all around for the flashing lights, and then make my move. Thanks for the correction. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/84 "2014-08-07T14:01:01Z")
> [@simster](#): > > - Immediately pulling to the right may be the exact WRONG thing to do - you need to first ascertain direction of travel, where the emergency vehicle is and then respond appropriately - else you may find yourself blocking the vehicle in question or making things worse. Good point. I can recall having to pull to the left because traffic was so congested the ambulance had to maneuver through it by driving on the shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/85 "2014-08-07T14:04:24Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > There was (not sure if it’s still there) an empty lot on JFK Blvd near Houston Intercontinental Airport that had a large sign stating the following: > > PROPERTY NOT FOR SALE > > Underneath that was a phone number, presumably of the realtor who was not selling the property. The lot across the road from my last house had a big sign that said “CALL FOR INFORMATION - John 777-777-7777” My brother got curious and called one time: Bro- Hey, I’m calling about the lot on 86th. John - Yep. What about it? Bro - (pause) Um, what’re you asking for it? John - Oh, well I hadn’t really thought about selling it. Bro - Mk. Thanks? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/86 "2014-08-07T16:29:05Z")
I just saw a sign in the grocery store. The intention behind the sign is clear. But the phrasing sucks. There was a bin of inflatable plastic balls. On the bin was the sign “Please do not play with the playballs” ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/87 "2014-08-08T00:15:26Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > My high school had a sign above the dumpsters that read, That’s not silly at all. I used to work for a store that had our own dumpster out back (as opposed to a dumpster for the entire shopping center to use). We regularly had to yell at people dumping their grass clippings, household garbage and once even a dead gutted deer carcass. We paid for the garbage service (and I think were charged by the weight) so having the whole neighborhood use our dumpster so they could avoid paying garbage fees was Not Good. Especially when they would dump garbage in the cardboard recycling bins, ruining the whole load (for which we EARNED money) ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/88 "2014-08-08T00:36:34Z")
About three years ago, on a road trip I noticed that Denny’s had an ad campaign with big posters that said “Buy your spouse a diner”. I’m pretty sure it was supposed to say “dinner”. I forget to take a picture, but they soon all disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/89 "2014-08-08T01:37:13Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > That’s not silly at all. Please see my reply in [post 40](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17606393&postcount=40). ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/90 "2014-08-09T18:09:32Z")
An office building I was working in was going to be sprayed for bugs over the weekend. A sign in the lobby read “Notice: Building will be eradicated this weekend.” We were disappointed on Monday to find out the building was still there. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/91 "2014-08-09T18:12:25Z")
A guy on our bowling league got a new ball and had it engraved with a bad-ass nickname. Or so he thought. I mentioned to my husband the moniker “Intimator” was carved over the fingerholes. “You mean Intimidator”. No. No, I don’t… ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/92 "2014-08-11T18:28:25Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > A guy on our bowling league got a new ball and had it engraved with a bad-ass nickname. Or so he thought. I mentioned to my husband the moniker “Intimator” was carved over the fingerholes. “You mean Intimidator”. > > No. No, I don’t… Well, he prefers to subtlely provide information rather than bowl people over with it. I’ll spare you the details. Speaking of signage, I’ve mentioned this one elsewhere. The sign at the elevator that says: In case of fire, take the stairs. It seems to say I should never take the elevator. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/93 "2014-08-11T19:14:54Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Well, he prefers to subtlely provide information rather than bowl people over with it. I’ll spare you the details. > Speaking of signage, I’ve mentioned this one elsewhere. The sign at the elevator that says: > > In case of fire, take the stairs. > > It seems to say I should never take the elevator. No, it doesn’t. It says take the stairs if there is a fire. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/94 "2014-08-11T20:29:50Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > No, it doesn’t. It says take the stairs if there is a fire. 😕 I think **gigi** saw it as: in case of fire, _pick up and remove_ the stairs. Like the Rodney Dangerfield joke, “Take my wife…please”. The sign would make more sense if it said, “In case of fire, use the stairs”. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/95 "2014-08-11T21:58:13Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > No, it doesn’t. It says take the stairs if there is a fire. 😕 It could be: “In the case where there is a fire, take the stairs.” Or it could be: “In case there might be a fire, take the stairs.” ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/96 "2014-08-11T22:32:54Z")
There are handicap spots marked in the cell phone lot near the San Diego airport. A cell phone lot is a place to stop and call the person you’re picking up, so you know he/she is there before you drive into the traffic circus. (Both senses apply.) There’s no reason to ever get out of your car there, and so no “closer” parking spaces. I’m sure it’s just a law that’s not worth amending for this special case. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/97 "2014-08-11T23:10:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A recreational lake nearby has a sign on BoatRamp Road that says **Road Ends In Water**. I asked one of the rangers about it. Turns out they had a lawsuit they had to defend when a guy drove down the road and right into the lake. Wouldn’t that be better phrased as “Road ends _at_ water”? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/98 "2014-08-12T01:25:53Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Wouldn’t that be better phrased as “Road ends _at_ water”? not usually - as they are often used for ramps, so they are rightly “in” the water - no curb, no nothing - and they may extend out some distance. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/99 "2014-08-12T11:03:36Z")
Yep, there is no demarcation between road and ramp. The lake is part of a flood control system. When the water is low the road is longer. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607/100 "2014-08-12T12:17:52Z")
I try to visit the major league ballparks as I travel. Over the years I’ve been to 25 of the 30. One bizarre thing that I saw, in any baseball stadium, was at Marlins Park in Miami. Inside the stadium, in left field there’s a bar called The Clevelander with restricted access - they card you at the door, and then there’s a $10 cover charge. But once inside I was surprised to see … … topless dancers. Topless dancers? Really? At a baseball stadium? I found that a little bizarre. Yeah, silly. Stupid, really. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/silly-things-youve-seen-in-public/694607.md?page=6)