Culture Shock: Strange Travel Signs

Photographed in an airport in South Africa, this sign means to warn travelers that inappropriate remarks regarding hijacking, bombs, weapons, or explosives are enough to get you detained. But its graphics say something different. Namely, if you get arrested by a naked, censored policeman/woman, you will smile while you cry and/or get stabbed in the eyes with pins and/or tear-gassed while being handcuffed. Photo courtesy of mootpointer | Andrew Harvey (cc)

When you’re experiencing a different culture, it’s important to be open and accepting of customs. It’s not so much the customs that “is making” this sign awesome—it’s the “Engrish.” Photo taken in Bali, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Jungle_Boy (cc)

This photo was taken in Mumbai, India; the sign says that during peak hours, transport vehicles, including rickshaws, oxen carts, and cows, cannot use the road. Photo courtesy of Jungle_Boy (cc)

That’s right, before pimping your gas, please pay at cashier. This was taken at a gas station right outside of Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Random Factor (cc)

There’s no way I would go near the water if I saw this sign—the giant octopus is ridiculous. Photo taken at Cape Tribulation, in Australia, to warn beach visitors of Irukandji, or jellyfish, one sting from which can be fatal. Photo courtesy of ultrahi (cc)

If you’re in Michigan and someone tells you go to Hell, don’t take it personally—they might just be referring to the town of Hell, located in Livingston County. Photo courtesy of Danielle Walquist (cc)

This crossing sign in Hiroshima, Japan, looks normal at first, until you really look and realize what it actually communicates: “Beware of George Washington crossing street with devil child.” Photo courtesy of LeeLeFever (cc)

Please do what at the beach, exactly? Blow bubbles? Get jiggy with it? This is a “politeness” sign that is often seen in the subway system in Tokyo, Japan. This one is meant to say “No horseplay at edge of subway platform.” Clearly. Photo courtesy of Simnatic (cc)

This was found over a toilet in a Beijing bar. The rest of the sign also reads “No restricted knives and explosives.” Oh Engrish, you win again. Photo courtesy of TrevinC (cc)