"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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Some people call them criminal, some call them Zaphod Beeblebrox. But I repeat myself...
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If they've gotten to the road, I think they're no longer "escaping", they've "escaped".
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.
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After I saw the Rugher Hauer movie The Hitcher I doubt I'll ever pick one up again.
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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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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!!!
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Everyone stop to pick up the hitchhikers, or run! We've got to escape the inmates
reminds me of a book i read, called the hitchhiker by anthony horowitz
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.
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.
Well I would try to escape them too if they were chasing me. #SaveAHitchhiker
Hitchikers might be escaped inmates or hitchhikers might be trying to escape inmates? 🤔 🙃
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.
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."
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.
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 like it… kindness goes a long way, even if you’re smiling at a murderous ghost :)
Note: this post originally had 66 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
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!)
