"Ominous Signs" is a fun Instagram page that shares all sorts of weird and entertaining signs and writings found in public spaces. The account is all about discovering quirky messages on buildings, odd billboards, strange graffiti on fences, and confusing road signs. Every post on the page gives you a little taste of the surprising and amusing things you can find around you, making you want to keep an eye out for them in your own daily life.
Even though it's not a huge page, "Ominous Signs" has a cool, casual vibe that makes it enjoyable for anyone who stumbles upon it. There's no fluff, just a bunch of interesting and funny signs that'll make you laugh, scratch your head, or both.
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This looks like a crypt that bodies were temporarily stored in till they went wherever they were going to end up permanently .
Thanks for the offer, but I've got hitchhikers to pick up by the prison.
Some people call them criminal, some call them Zaphod Beeblebrox. But I repeat myself...
Load More Replies...Um... Are the hitchhikers escaping the inmates or are the escapees the hitchhikers? Yes, I asked, /s/ but English isn't my mom's first language, so these questions come up a LOT in my life...
i've actually seen this sign before, it's usually near jails, and you're not supposed to pick up ANY hitchhikers because you could be picking up an inmate. so if you're a hitchhiker in a jail zone, you're walking buddy.
In Texas, the clues are: If they're in all white outfits they are escaping from the state prison system. Orange, or black and white stripes are from the county jail.
Load More Replies...After I saw the Rugher Hauer movie The Hitcher I doubt I'll ever pick one up again.
Load More Replies...No, don't trust strangers means maybe don't get into that van, don't take every person at face value, keep an eye on your purse and valuables, be cautious who you share personal info with etc... lessons we have learned over the decades due to more information we have about actual danger vs. perceived danger. Ask me about my "perception of danger" story from when I was 12 sometimes.
Load More Replies...This is from outside the Federal Penitentiary in El Reno, Oklahoma. Do Not,pick up anybody in the area.
Seriously, you will be charged with aiding and abetting. You will become an inmate, yourself! No!! Don't risk the charges!!!
Load More Replies...Everyone stop to pick up the hitchhikers, or run! We've got to escape the inmates
I’d like to think of Bob as a doggo who’s addicted to head pets and chin scratches that wouldn’t relent until he’s satisfied 🤷♀️
Load More Replies...It reminds me of Gary Larson's, "Beware of Doug."
You know, reading these comments, mine included, makes me realize we all have way too much time on our hands.
Naw, we just don't want to spend it on working for a bit.
Load More Replies...The movie with what's his name,Bill Murray and the other guy, Dreyfuss....
Load More Replies...Bored Panda interviewed Lee Glanville, the owner of "Ominous Signs" Instagram page, and asked him about his inspiration for the page. Glanville said, "I saw a few signs online that had a threatening energy to them and thought it would be funny to collect them into one place." He added that he likes signs that suggest "an authority figure is threatening you," as there is something funny about that.
i thought it was the 6:66 bus... then I realized 6:66 doesn't exist
Load More Replies...In prison for shooting people who ask ridiculous questions.
Load More Replies...Exactly my thought! Is this Toads bus? One has to wonder.
Load More Replies...I've been drivin' all night, my hands wet on the wheel. There's a voice in my head that drives my heel...
Picks up hitchhikers and inmates. All are welcome, all are welcome. Next stop is at the house of hugs.
Load More Replies...Should be written in a few languages, like a Rosetta stone, just in case.
And someone in a future civilisation will claim this is proof of previous a civilisation. And the rest will tell them they are nuts /s
Load More Replies...I know where this is! The waste from the world‘s first nuclear reactor (Chicago Pile 1) is buried near that marker along with other waste from the Manhattan Project. The reason why it’s there is that the land used to be part of the Argonne National Laboratory. It’s a nature preserve now and it’s open to the public, hence why the warning markers were installed.
And it also has the highest waterfall in DuPage County. All of about 5 ft.
Load More Replies...If I found I was standing on radioactive soil, I wouldn't be excavating - I'd be evacuating. (Probably in several senses.)
I thought that was just wear and tear. My husband was born in 1940 and I'll bet his knees look like that inside
Load More Replies...*checks her butt* Nope, no radioactivity. Apparently I have a gas furnace.
Load More Replies...So I worked in a pharmacy during Covid and we had just started doing the vaccines. A guy comes in, gets one, then leaves. A little while later, our store manager quickly comes to the pharmacy with a guy in a suit that screams cop. They ask us if we've seen the man from earlier. Nope. They rush off. A few minutes later, several cops in uniform come rushing by still looking for this man. Later on, we learn that he texted his wife, "I just got shot at *name of store*." She calls him immediately and his phone is turned off. She's worried so she calls 911. After this, people were corrected to say vaccine instead of shot. I only wish I knew what happened later.
Lee also shared that he has a particular fondness for the "children drive slowly" sign and believes that children should not be driving at all. He said, "Personally, I don’t think they should be driving at all." When asked about how he sources the images for his page, Glanville said, "I find most of them online and credit where possible, but people can and do submit images as well."
Considering how weird my dreams can get, by the time I look at my watch again, I'd probably be chased by a monster, or be busy shooting at little goblins.
Why do our phones or PCs never appear in our dreams? Although my watch is always there. It was elevnty past fifteen last night in my dreams.
Load More Replies...What is happening in Sheffield that they needed to warn people about this?!
Just in case someone visiting thinks they're having a nightmare.
Load More Replies...Wearing a watch would be the actual sign of a dream, since I don't wear one IRL
Also a lot of the time in dreams you're unable to read. Or write - I've had so many dreams where I'm trying to text someone but everything I type is gibberish.
I came of age in the 70’s, I’m totally cool with unreality. Drop a butt load of acid and you won’t have quite the same hang up on REALITY. Way overrated. So, I’m good one way or another.
Yes, because after reading this message I would know it's a nightmare, and I'm stuck in a parallel universe.
I fell down the rabbit hole. Apparently there is one that is handicapped friendly https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g187440-d546472-t4211155-Is_the_croc_park_wheelchair_friendly.html
Load More Replies...kwa zulu natal, south africa https://www.alamy.com/st-lucia-south-africa-aug-30-2014-african-wildlife-warning-sign-for-ground-slope-because-wheelchairs-that-can-end-up-eaten-by-nile-crocodiles-isimangaliso-wetland-park-ezemvelo-kzn-wildlife-image228451487.html ...I've seen it; it's in my country. The blue/red colour was our old roadsigns colour combo, we've now switched to the normal red/black/white.
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! See the battle of the century as Grandpa "Wheels of Steel" takes on Crunch the Crocodile. Will his single brake skid spins and his sensory depriving colostomy bag sneak attack be able to overcome the bone crushing jaws and insulting tail slaps? BE THERE!
If it only happened once it’s a freak accident… must have happened more than twice to warrant a sign.
Apparently I am one of those annoying Americans that smiles and says Hi to everyone. Sorry for being nice.
Same! How else do you make people not strangers if everyone ignores everyone. That's not cool.
Load More Replies...fun fact: my partner and i were on a walk close to home, been there often. smiled and said hi to some guy, as one does. wrong idea. he freaked and beat us up. rampaged some more. got arrested and we made a statement. poor guy was mentally ill and off meds. but i did not need that concussion
See? That's why they put up the sign - for the tourists!!😉😁
Load More Replies...The sign that generated the most engagement and sparked the most interesting discussions among his followers, according to the page owner, is the "please do not smile at strangers" sign in a train station. He believes that most people would rather be left alone during their commute. When asked about the future of the "Ominous Signs" Instagram page, Lee said that he is currently only focused on posting on Instagram. However, he mentioned that he has another project, an illustration account, that you Pandas, might want to check out as well.
who will destroy the sun, is what its asking
Load More Replies...For those who don't know, the billboard actually said SEATTLE and was erected in 1971 in reaction to the "Boeing Bust" -- https://special.seattletimes.com/o/special/centennial/november/lights_out.html
"Meanwhile, overhead, without any fuss, the stars were silently going out." Last line, "The Nine Billion Names of God", by Arthur C. Clarke.
No wonder people were giving me dirty looks on the train
Load More Replies...Sounds like the side effect of a new medication. "People taking Typrexiad may experience Headache, Fatigue and Sudden Catastrophic Sinkhole Collapse."
Came here just to see if this gem from my hometown made it in. Beauregard Al, after a local quarry accidentally drained the system of natural springs in the area. They never faced any real consequences.
In summary, Glanville's inspiration for "Ominous Signs" was the humorous and threatening nature of certain signs. He particularly likes signs that suggest an authority figure is threatening you, and he finds the "children drive slowly" sign particularly amusing. Lee sources the images for his page online and from submissions by his followers. The "please do not smile at strangers" sign in a train station generated the most engagement among his followers.
I walked to school and didn't get lost. 🎆🥳🎉🎈🎈 Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
I actually had a dream about the backrooms. It was creepy…
Load More Replies...I have such dreams pretty often. Familiar places but with new rooms, new floors... sometimes new buildings altogether.
Or, as I call it, my subconscious's way of letting me know I feel helpless.
I know that place. I sneak up into the attic and find all sorts of cool antiques. Now how to get them home? 🤨🤫😉😅
I've moved a lot including to a different country, down the hall in an apartment building, and back into the same house. When I dream about moving it's almost always in to that house. It starts out with the house being close to IRL, but the house morphs like crazy during the dream.
I lived in 5 different houses growing up and my house dream is always one particular old house in North Carolina. Dream was a sepia color, crowded, dusty and one time 5 gurneys with 5 mummy wrapped bodies, in what used to be my bedroom. I've dreamt it 5 or more times in my life but only once with the gurneys. That was the only time I was scared in that dream. I figure it just means I procrastinate too much and have too much on my plate.
My mum's side of the family's house. Every time. I do not understand y
I was going to be cremated but now I shall be buried to get this!
Load More Replies...It's placed on a plant that looks dead but isn't so that people don't destroy it.
‘Thus, this note was plastered onto poor ol’ Jake’s face, and he remained there until the next month’ /j
me talking to someone after a hard day. 'hello mortals, oh look, another human, pathetic beings'
Load More Replies...Oh finally! A sign that doesn’t discriminate against some of us aliens with three heads!
HAHA I was going to ask if you'd be excited about this!
Load More Replies...*lifts bar* oh, it only does something to this little dinosaur diorama? Damn.
Nnnnnnnneeeeeedddddffffyyyyyyuuuuuuooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
And for the weather, the temperature outside will be 30 degrees and the east and north parts of the country will have a 3 o'clock shower of falling snakes for a few days, make sure to wear your sunscreen!
Hey, don't laugh, we had a neighbor get bit by a baby copperhead. THey like trees.
Is this some kind of Christian theme park that recreates Biblical horrors?
How about they install an unlock function from the inside instead of having a professional sign printed?
So many people wouldn't have died horrible deaths if this sign had been present.
Here in the US there's been an increased amount of human trafficking using these. Some folks have recently suffocated/cooked to death while being transported across the border. 😕
No the 15th floor is where the 9th floor used to be.
Load More Replies...' If you dislike our qUaLiTy rEcIpE, i will find you. have a good day! thanks for choosing wendys!
Load More Replies...During the apocalypse, Wendy still out here slinging burgers. Even though she's now alive-ish.
The sign that flashes before my eyes the moment I wake up every day
oh your going hell-land? i'm coming too. wait for me
Load More Replies...Looks more like the entrance to the Tunnels from the 1980s TV show "Beauty and the Beast".
Are you sure this isn’t the “We all float down here “ killer clowns lair?
It is a shopping store that is in 5 states, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. (I live in one of them)
Load More Replies...Any meat? Will Tofu work? Does it have to be organic? Will ground be okay? So confused...
Reminds me of that episode of Rocko's Modern Life where a chicken goes to interview for a job at the Chokey Chicken fast food chain. She gets the job and the next thing you see is her nametag attached to a packet of fresh chicken parts being shipped out to the local chain for frying. Wow, in hindsight that's REALLY dark.
So, if I work here my meat will grow? The wife wants me to get an application.
I have worked on the water for ten years. I have saved people from drowning on four occasions. Weirs WILL kill you. No one can save you. Respect the water.
For those not familiar, a weir is also called a 'low-head dam'. No matter what it's called, it'll drown anything.
Load More Replies...Getting caught in the whirl is certain death, venturing the weir risk you getting caught in the whirl, hence venturing the weir is risking certain death
Load More Replies...Why is it okay for wolves and not people? I've heard Weir Wolves live a very long time.
Well of course there are no adults supervising them being kidnapped by eyeball monsters!
Load More Replies...Look at the facial expressions of those kids being "supervised" by alien cyclops (cyclopses??)..
I'd be looking like those kids too if those were my parents. Twilight Zone episode by the looks of it.
This must be the elevator in that building that moved the 9th floor to the 15th floor.
I think they are letting us know they're boarded up inside and they are running out of food and water
Load More Replies...This is why the put up that sign to make sure no one was locked inside before.
I love/am scared of bears. I once read, 'If it's brown, lie down, if it's black, fight back, and if it's white, say goodnight.'
I always learned to just bring a slow friend along.
Load More Replies...Don't rely on folk tales. Any bear can kill you. Some are just better at it than others and all of them are very pissy so make noise and carry bear spray. It won't stop them but it will give you a ten second lead. If it has young ones and you're in the way you're doomed. Sorry. 🇨🇦
A mama black bear led her cubs about 50 meters down the road from me. I just stood, frozen, thinking two things: 1. Oh shlt, there's a bear with cubs about 50 m away from me! and 2. OMG, this is amazing. Eventually, I got to thing 3: Hey, dumba$$ self: You're hiking in mama bear country, wtf is wrong with you?... And around here, we see idiot tourists stop to take pics of baby bears, nto realizing little cutie has a huge fanged mommy on the way. *sigh*
Load More Replies...This is in northern Manitoba (Canada) where they do these bus-type tours of Polar Bear areas. So people can be around there, but it is definitely unsafe to walk.
Load More Replies...I am so confused why people think the polar bear need to be able to read the sign! It just says 'in this area'
I've made a few stuffies in my time, faces and ears are easy. As long as they're on the right side of the head. 🤭
If by any chance you have reached this far, then there is no way back. You are f**ked, so just lie down and die.
Yes because of the abandoned mine shafts, don't want to get stuck in those here in 'Straya
Load More Replies...Everyone showing their age by knowing the lyrics to this song. Lol. 40++++
Load More Replies...It is indeed, but this is more accurate.
Load More Replies...THIS IS YOUR DEMISE. your welcome
Load More Replies...Now we've all seen it- don't say you weren't warned; Everybody gets one.
Change that ‘G’ to a ‘Q’ and you’re describing every gift my grandma gave me
No, I'll leave it as is because it describes every gift my grandma gave me.
Load More Replies...I like it… kindness goes a long way, even if you’re smiling at a murderous ghost :)
I don't see the point of this sign. They should have made it invisible.
Yeah the invisible man is gone crazy and now he's running around naked.
This is in Albuquerque. If you find it creepy, you can cancel it out a couple miles east of here with a sign at a skate shop that says "WAX YOUR PINCHE SNOWBOARD."
This should be on the front door of parents with infant or toddlers, so they don't accidentally leave them in a hot car.
I'm a mother and it is very hard being a parent so I'm not judging anybody.
Load More Replies...Makes me think of the optometrist's billboard in "The Great Gatsby."
Nice. i'll turn it into a nightmare
Load More Replies...Wait, isn't that how that Dawnstar quest starts in Skyrim?? I could get a kickass magic staff out of this!
Just now, in my dream, I saw an ad like this. In that dream, I called the number listed. The person on the other line told me to wake up. Now I am waking up and see this ad. Should I call this number. Will it tell me to go back to sleep?
These have come up under different names in multiple US cities over time. There's a whole video series on youtube about it. Apparently the guy who investigated it firs got weird text messages and then random calls in the middle of the night, but I don't remember if something ever came of it when he answered it.
I really hope prior to this sign there are two others showing 'Danger' and 'More Danger'
At your own risk of....???????? Packs of pit bulls? Hail as big as softball? Lions and tigers and bears? Rockets from North Korea? Stampede of longhorn bulls? Join in.....This is fun!
Breaking an ankle? Gamma radiation burst? Solar flare? Being shot by a timetraveller? Massive explosions? Rabid mongoose? Earthquake? ...this is fun. : ]
Load More Replies...When my brother was a bartender at a bar frequented by college kids, some girls invited him to go skinny dipping. He was going to go until they explained where they went. They had been going to the raw sewage lagoons outside of town. After he explained what they had been swimming in they didn't believe him, so he told them to go there during the daytime. Every time they came into the bar after that they would turn bright red and wouldn't talk to him.
Warning!!! If you smell bacon, call the electric and lightning company.
isnt this on every single one of those green electric boxes in the US
no one will save me, but who will save you. run.
Load More Replies...The monochromatic door and signage somehow makes it more unsettling
It's the type of text, it looks like the kind on a caption or meme. Also the angle of the text compared to the board
Load More Replies...Me too, JoyfulZebra, me too. We should form an alliance and create havoc.
Load More Replies...One of my faves was from Getaway magazine, a local mag which collected odd signs. The sign said, "Maak toe die bleddie hek!" (Close the bloody gate!)
One of my faves was from Getaway magazine, a local mag which collected odd signs. The sign said, "Maak toe die bleddie hek!" (Close the bloody gate!)
