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"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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    #2

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Corvus
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, as long as they know where their towels are...

    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people call them criminal, some call them Zaphod Beeblebrox. But I repeat myself...

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    Sawdust
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they've gotten to the road, I think they're no longer "escaping", they've "escaped".

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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...

    starkey !
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    Id row
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These signs are near pretty much every prison.

    Dasha
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which is why I don’t pick up hitchhikers. Seems dangerous

    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After I saw the Rugher Hauer movie The Hitcher I doubt I'll ever pick one up again.

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    Trinity Han
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't trust strangers, sign of the times.

    Julia Mckinney
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    Laura Lett
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is from outside the Federal Penitentiary in El Reno, Oklahoma. Do Not,pick up anybody in the area.

    Laura Lett
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously, you will be charged with aiding and abetting. You will become an inmate, yourself! No!! Don't risk the charges!!!

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    BLONDTROBL
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone stop to pick up the hitchhikers, or run! We've got to escape the inmates

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If a hitchhiker is escaping from an inmate then shouldn't you pick them up? Getting them out of there might save their lives.

    John Schneider
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What did the inmates do to the hitchhikers?

    Sam
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hitchhiked clear across the country. So, ok, sure, some of us are pure sociopaths. But this is 2024...who isn't?

    Alex the great
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And as long as they don’t drop the soap

    Harris Good
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    reminds me of a book i read, called the hitchhiker by anthony horowitz

    Ja R
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    similar sigh in a quiet road in new jersey south of Millville in woods is a state prison

    Mudstick
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have signs like this along the freeway in Milan Michigan

    Analyn Lahr
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This can be taken two ways. Are hitchhikers inmates who have escaped or are the hitchhikers escaping from inmates? They might want to change the wording.

    D Peterson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I felt unsafe while driving through heavy fog, I pulled off in a rest area only to see signs that said, "Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers, They May Be Escaping Inmates." I thought about it for a couple of seconds & returned to the highway. I've never known if I made the best decision or not.

    El Cucuy
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen these in the vicinity of prisons.

    Larry XK
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I drove by a few of these signs in my years

    BasedWang12.7
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well I would try to escape them too if they were chasing me. #SaveAHitchhiker

    Timbob
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope they all make it !

    Mélissa Lauzé
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hitchikers might be escaped inmates or hitchhikers might be trying to escape inmates? 🤔 🙃

    zgillet
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um, don't pick up anyone in a jumpsuit. Heck, don't pick up anyone.

    ZombieRedfox
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see these signs everytime I drive down to Florida

    Vermontah
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that and a rebel flag and sign for Free Dirt

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    Loverboy
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do people still do that? Pick up hitchhikers?

    Array Index Out of Bounds
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love to hitchhike! Met some awesome people along my travels!

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    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.

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    #5

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is ## danger to visitors.

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    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."

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    #7

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Corvus
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    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.

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    #12

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Tams21
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll take the speed limit as a suggestion, in that case.

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    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.

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    #15

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Tams21
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would very unsettling on a gravestone.

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    #19

    Ominous-Signs

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    HelluvaHedgehogAlien
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎶flying snek, falling snek, help the goddamn snek🎶

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    #21

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    FeelingFrisky
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many people got locked in there b4 they put up a sign?

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    #24

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    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just want a lesser one today please.

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    #26

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Amsterdude
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like meat is coming back to the menu boys

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    #28

    Ominous-Signs

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    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #32

    Ominous-Signs

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    #34

    Ominous-Signs

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    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where is the cat?

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    #36

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.'

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    #37

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    #39

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    #40

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

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    #42

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    #43

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    HelluvaHedgehogAlien
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like it… kindness goes a long way, even if you’re smiling at a murderous ghost :)

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    #45

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    #47

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    °CORLEONE°
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone is peeing under the sign. Hahaa

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    #48

    Ominous-Signs

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    #50

    Ominous-Signs

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    #54

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    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, isn't that how that Dawnstar quest starts in Skyrim?? I could get a kickass magic staff out of this!

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    #55

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    #56

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    🌵 Drazil
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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!

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    #57

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    #58

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    °CORLEONE°
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Warning!!! If you smell bacon, call the electric and lightning company.

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    #59

    Ominous-Signs

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    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People will save you. But not every time.

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    #61

    Ominous-Signs

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Mr. Sartre, Mr. Sartre. You have a meme on line one."

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    #62

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    Owen
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's just sensible adivice.

    #63

    Ominous-Signs

    ominous.signs Report

    Corvus
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe it's this one - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowhere,_Oklahoma

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