50 Of The Scariest Signs Spotted Around The World You’d Probably Want To Be As Far Away As Possible From
When you think about it, the goal of a sign is pretty basic, isn’t it? We put them up to give us directions, send messages, and warn us about dangers lurking around the corner. But while sometimes they hilariously fail to fulfill their purpose by looking like the most random and absurd announcements ever created, others seem to carry a somewhat threatening aura.
We’re talking about signs that remind us the world is filled with unforeseen hazards that make us want to stop and quickly run the other way. So let us introduce you to the 'Scary Signs' subreddit. This online community with over 379K members has set out on a mission to share pictures of terrifying messages from all over the world "that you don't want to be near".
Some of them are scarier than the danger itself, others are so creepy we can’t help but wonder why they got put up there in the first place. Whatever the case may be, these warnings definitely catch one's attention. Bored Panda has collected some of the most frightening posts from the group, so continue scrolling to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think about them in the comments!
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Scary-Sad, But Comforting To Know You Can Be Safe
That's not a scary sign I "don't want to be near" - that's a fantastic sign that we're all glad to see
Sign A The Vet
You can always tell when someone I coming with their pet and about to leave alone. It breaks my heart every single time I see that.
This hurts my heart so much. We were lucky that it happened at home.
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My vet has a candle they burn... have had the candle lit for me twice in the last year :(
AWWW :( I was in the vet with my dog and this huge tatted up guy came in with his dog who was in serious distress... I told him to go ahead of me and a bit later he came out sobbing...his dog had passed. I just went up and hugged him and started crying myself...my pets mean the world to me and I've been through that kind of horrible, sudden loss.
The hardest thing I’ve done, and I’ve done it more than once, is that last trip to the vet. I wish our pets lived longer (yeah, I know parrots live a long time).
Yes. I can remember holding my cat, facing her as she looked into my eyes, trustingly, purring away as she loved going to the vets as she lived people. I’ll never forget it, telling her what a good girl she’d always been, how beautiful etc and then those big orange eyes just closing. 🌈
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In my life I've had to hold five of my best friends as the vet has eased them out of this life. Each time it hurt a little more. But I still have dogs and now I'm hoping that they'll outlive me.
Yes, most vets have them and yes the turn them on whenever there is an owner saying goodbye to their pet.
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Our vet does this, too. They put a sign on the door, so that no-one except for the involved vet, enters the room until you are okay to leave. They even let my husband in in December when our Oskar had to be put down, although due to CoVid restrictions only one owner is allowed inside. I really appreciate the vets and other staff at this practice. Such good, empathetic people.
Yes we did that just yesterday. My beautiful 14 yr old lab Jack passed. He was such a lovely dog. Abused and taken to the vet at 5 months to be euthanised. The vet took him to a local rescue. I became his foster mum and adopted him 2 weeks later. 13 years an 9 months he was with us and we miss him so much.
Our vets office has a candle and says when lit please speak softly someone is saying goodbye. I started crying first time I seen it.
I lost my best friend of 10 years a few months ago to cancer. The greatest most handsomest doggie across all time and space. If love could've saved him he'd be immortal :'(
I hadda put my 22 year old Siamese kitty down because she had become too old and sick. It took awhile to say goodbye. Im sure that was on for me when i was in the back
My vet has a candle that they light during these times. Sadly, I asked to light their candle myself when I had to say goodbye to my best buddy last summer.
Happened to us 2 months ago, my Mom's cat passed 1 week after my mother did
My heart broke when I had to say goodbye to my little sweetheart. He also managed to pull out his cannula, so it was horrific to watch as the right dosage wasn't delivered and it was during lockdown so I couldn't have anyone with me. I honestly felt like the worst person on earth. I wish we had a sign like this at the vets, instead I got a complete T**t of a human being screaming at the desk that her appointment was delayed by 25 minutes and she didn't want to wear a face mask
I had to go through this last week. It's the most horrible experience in the world. But I am so grateful to the vet for all they did for us, and Oddball xx
My vet's place always has a candle on the reception desk if it is lit someone is doing this.
My vet lights an electric candle when your pet is passing. The entire office has a moment of silence and you are escorted out a private exit when you are ready to leave. It made it a little easier to say goodbye.
My mom cried when our cat and dog died and said she felt like an executioner. Backstory: my cat was 18, which is very very old for a cat, and had a seizure. We were told he wouldn't recover so he had to be put down. My dog died around 2 weeks later, from a seizure possibly caused by a brain tumor we didn't know about. (Sorry for the long comment) btw I was literally 12 when this happened
We almost went through this a few days ago, but our girl wasn't going to wait. I'm shattered.
How is this scary? My vet does this too. It is so respectful to the people that are losing a beloved pet.
My OB/GYN's office had a similar sign so we'd know that someone in the next room was suffering a miscarriage. It is good to prevent hurting feelings when possible.
I have been very fortunate to have had wonderful vets; doctors and staff who made after-hours appointments that allowed for privacy. My last vet made house calls for this solemn occasion.
Our vet has something similar. If the candle is burning, someone is saying goodbye.
I love this sign. I just put my Tortie cat Shilo down on September 16, 2021. I was in a private room with my Pastor. As she was given her shot to make her heart stop I was holding her. She had been very sick with either either a kidney or liver disease but would have suffered greatly if we tried to save her. There was no guarantee if she would make it or not and would of suffered in pain. Very expensive treatment. Pastor took my Shilos last picture looking straight at the camera which she never would look. I saw her beautiful green eyes telling me saying,"Mom let me go to Jesus." I did the best thing for her. She had so much attitude and would talk Meow...I miss her so much. Shilo was only 14 years old.😥😢😭
Not to offend, but tbh I would only cry if I has saying good bye or heard them saying good bye. I have no emotions rn sitting here reading the post. Please dont downvote me!
I really wish people would act normal, it makes it much easier to deal with. My 12 year old had his last vet visit on Valentine's day, he loved the vet. It sucked that people stopped talking to him all happy once they found out it was lights out. He had no idea, just loved people.
When one of my dogs passed a couple months ago they lit a candle in the front office with a similar sign - not a dry eye greeted me when I came out ♥
I was a coward and couldn't stay, and I will regret it for the rest of my life
My vet has this and I think it's great. Losing a pet is as hard as losing a family member. I think all vets should have this!
The person, who thought of this idea, was clever and thoughtful !!!
My vet's office has a similar sign!They have a candle they light with a similar sign in the waiting room when someone is saying goodbye to their pet
Ask them to come to your home if possible. It avoids the extra stress for the already suffering pet. They'll be able to go to the rainbow bridge from a place where they feel as comfortable/safe as possible.
It's 10:30pm on Wednesday and early Friday afternoon my faithful companion of 15 years will be making his final visit to the vets. It's the right thing to do but I'm grieving already. This week he's had a happy meal, afternoon tea, more cake and whipped cream for lunch today followed by a steak dinner and ice cream. Tomorrow is pizza and more ice cream and Friday all the chocolate he wants and maybe another cheeseburger. He deserves to stuff his face after serving me his whole life and living with my PTSD.
Our vet has a battery powered candle and this sign. Why this is posted on this listicle I do not understand.
I'm going to be a vet, and I know that I'm gonna cry when I have to put animals down. This almost made me cry.
As in a customer is returning home with his/her beloved pet and greeting the vet goodbye, right?
I'm glad they have signs like this. I've been there and it wouldn't have been the same if it was business as usual all around.
I dunno, the reminder that my pet is not immortal and will likely die before me is pretty scary
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Oh...ok I Understand
Since its creation in 2014, the 'Scary Signs' subreddit has amassed more than 379K members who are eager to share the daunting messages they come across in every corner of the world. Nearly every post consists of terrifying or confusing signs that warn us of potential hazards up ahead and uneasy consequences we will face if we refuse to obey.
While we're used to seeing safety signs and not batting an eye, people on this online community prove that some of them have a slightly threatening nature that everyone should take notice of. After all, most of us are hoping to avoid falling into "the drowning machine", getting attacked by aggressive geese, or encountering a venomous snake that's missing from its exhibit.
Save The Bees
More Than Sad Scary, But Still
Beware Of Falling Deer
Yet, there seem to be many factors that can make people disregard even the most frightening messages. Maybe you're an adrenaline junkie looking for new adventures every chance you get. Perhaps you think the sign is scarier than the danger itself. I mean, it's better to be safe than sorry, but who really wants to be told to watch out for falling deer? How often does that really happen?
Marc Green, Ph.D., is a human factor expert who has extensive experience in perception, attention, human factors, and related areas. According to him, warning signs often fail to change people's behavior. They can either go unnoticed or, more often than not, they are seen but ignored by the viewer. "For many years, designers focused their concern on sensory aspects of warnings: color, shape, location, pictures vs. text, size and so on. However, recent research suggests that effective warning design depends as much on the contents of the viewer's head as on the contents of the warning's message," he explained.
Trailhead In Tennessee
Well, this is a great sign. I have encountered a few similar sign in Australia, and I find them rather helpful.
Don’t Do Meth
You see, when people stumble upon alarming messages, they then have to make a decision whether or not to comply. But let's not forget that people who are the intended audience of these signs are not blank slates. They rather start with a thought process containing three components: "First, the viewer has general knowledge about the world and how it works. Second, s/he has a set of beliefs and expectations based on experience with the same or similar environment, product or technology."
"Lastly, the viewer enters the situation with a goal and strategy for achieving that goal," Green continued. "The goal can be specific ('I want to arrive at my destination as soon as possible') or more diffuse ('I want to feel good about myself')." So to create an effective warning sign, the designer must understand what the observer "brings to the table".
Percy Preist Lake In Nashville, Tn
See? They drowned even if they wore lifejackets! Why should people wear masks/seatbelts/get vaccinated/wear protective gear/etc when you can still die!? /sarcasm, if that was not obvious
Scary Geese
As viewers, we’re aware that safety signs are placed there for our own benefit. Their purpose is to draw our attention to important information that might prevent us from doing harm to ourselves or the people around us. Unfortunately, sometimes they are less likely to be effective when they are placed in the wrong area or use vague messaging. This could lead to tragic accidents, so it’s always best to make sure the sign will be crystal clear to virtually anyone.
A Disease Which Has No Cure
Something About This Unsettles Me
Straight To The Point, Don't Become Soup
However, even when signs are compelling and tick every box on the list, we humans have a tendency to overlook them. Green explained that when a warning tells us to refrain from behavior that would enable us to quickly achieve our goal, we then make a cost-benefit analysis. "In some cases, the viewer might lose the goal altogether ('No Smoking' signs), or exert more effort ('Detour' signs)," he mentioned some examples of the cost.
When it comes to benefits, they can be practical (like injury avoidance), and psychological. "A driver deciding whether to comply with a speed limit sign might calculate the costs of arriving later," he added. But one benefit of compliance is feeling safe and less anxious, like thinking "I won't be as likely to get in an accident," or "I won't have to spend time and effort looking for a radar trap." Other psychological advantages could be the sense of being "a good citizen" or "a team player," Green argued.
19th Century Japanese Tsunami Warnings. This One Reads: “Remember The Calamity Of The Great Tsunamis. Do Not Build Any Homes Below This Point”
And they still built below that point. I was watching a Geographics video and most of the people who died in the 2011 tsunami were in buildings situated below the tsunami warning points.
Fight Back
Road Sign I Found In Texas
Reminds me of the time a colleague stopped for a hitchhiker. A couple of miles down the road she accidentally ran over something (squirrel I think). Hitchhiker went to have a look. While he was out of the car she decided to have a look in his bag as she felt uneasy. He had a knife and rope in there. She yeeted out of there so fast. She was traumatised for a long time afterwards. But what a lucky escape.
Another factor that affects how we see the size of the benefits is the perception of danger, which has two elements — hazard and risk. The viewer of the warning sign must take them into account when making the calculation. "If the person believes that there is great danger, then s/he will see a larger benefit in compliance. Conversely, perception of small danger means low benefit and compliance will decrease," he explained.
Sign At Lava Falls In Grand Canyon
You Will Die
At A Nearby Wolf Sanctuary
Lastly, our personal, social, and cultural backgrounds also affect our decision-making. Green explained that even when two people make the same cost-benefit analysis, they could go two different ways — one might ignore the sign while the other doesn't. "People accept different danger levels, have different attitudes about their ability to control danger and are differentially affected by social and cultural norms," the expert added.
So for warning signs to be persuasive, designers should focus more on the psychological factor. Sure, the bright glaring colors and terrifying symbols catch our attention and might stop us from falling into dangerous threats, but harmony between human behavior and design would reduce accidents even further.
Bronx Zoo
Just Another Day In Alaska
Just think if people closed their bins properly and didn’t litter (or encroach on bears habitats) then they wouldn’t come looking for food in houses / public spaces.
"The Drowning Machine"
I bet that somebody stupid will go in hoping to make a great TikTok video
Uh Oh. Keep Out Of The Danger Noodle Room
This Slide
Bush Fire Rating Signs All Over Australia
Yikes
Trust Me, I Won't
Nope.
The School Lockdown Song
Worst sign ever. Nothing like a funny shooters song 🙈 for the little ones. Awful.
How Fast Is It Going To Move?
This Got Dark Real Quick
Common all around the UK for a while. Now, probably prompted by research findings, we have signs written by children, with childish drawings, that say 'Twenty is Plenty'.
Crocodile Enclosure At Sydney Aquarium
You Get The Gist, Even Without A Word Of Swedish
At Least They Give You A Choice.
Not Sure If This Counts
At My Apartment Complex
Yeah I Think I’ll Pass
Apartheid-Era Sign Near Johannesburg, South Africa (1953)
I had the misfortune when I was young to have a brief conversation with a white "Rhodesian" (young man) and yes, attitudes really were that vile.
Crossing A Swing Bridge In Nz
Think This Belongs Here!
Careful When Skiing
Heart Rate Increasing
Slowly Puts Shovel Back In Trunk
Ok, Let's Just Go To The Public Pool?
Water somehow always enters my nose while swimming. I’d avoid this pool no matter what
No Worries, 3 Layers Of Glass Still Remain To Protect You From The King Of The Jungle!
Yeah but how did it break? Accidental damage or was the lion testing the fence like a Dino in Jurassic Park. If those lions are looking to escape we need to know!
Cute Cartoons Don’t Make Creepy Messages Better
“Holy Water Removed Temporarily”
Saw This Walking Through My University After Hours
Note: this post originally had 107 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Did I just waste my time? Yes. Did this traumatize me? Yes. Do I regret reading this? Absolutely not.
One I was sure I'd see: Trespassers will be Shot! Survivors will be Shot Again!
Did I just waste my time? Yes. Did this traumatize me? Yes. Do I regret reading this? Absolutely not.
One I was sure I'd see: Trespassers will be Shot! Survivors will be Shot Again!
