23 June 2010
It didn’t take long to notice the vast amount of signs in New York. They’re everywhere. They’re all over your apartment building, on lamp posts, on grass, in parks, on scaffolding, in shop windows. We’ve never quite seen anything like it. So we wondered — with New York being the center of the universe and all — is this the sign of civilization? Is this how we keep people in order and avoid chaos? Well, if you’ve ever been to NYC, the answer is an obvious no.
And how do other cities, namely in developing countries, function without all these rules posted everywhere? In other words, how do people know how to act in public?
Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
Blockin’ up the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign
Taking these photos started off as fun, but after countless clicks it just became depressing. Don’t you think that perhaps if we were taught compassion, consideration, and patience from an early age, that all of this would be unnecessary? What effect does all this NO this and NO that on a daily basis, everywhere you look, have on the psyche?
In three different languages no less. Covering all bases.
Violators will be prosecuted. Harsh.
In triplet, just to make sure.
We love these moments, when there's a flagrant breaking of the rules.
We're glad they at least specified where the walking of dogs is prohibited. But wait, does that mean anyone is allowed on the property if they don't have a dog?
Lost count on the number of rules here. No alcohol, drugs, or bare feet. Got it.
Another one of those rare moments to be captured on camera. This bike rider will not be tamed. Stick it to the man!
Pigeons leave leftovers for rats. What if we gave them a doggy bag?
God forbid the children have any fun.
This is quite normal to see (although in Australia they encourage you to go on the grass). What makes this exceptional is that this is inside Gramercy Park, a private park, accessible only to nearby residents who pay an annual fee to get a key. You would think access to the grass would be included in that.
If we had $350 for every time someone honked in NYC.....
But you ARE allowed to kill the fish here.
Yvonne is busted!
At 5 Pointz in Queens, a sanctioned building where graffiti is not only tolerated, but encouraged. But only if you have a permit. And only at those times. And, oh yeah, no photoshoots or video without permission. Sounds like an awful lot of rules for an activity that is traditionally anti-rules/anti-establishment.
We were actually told off by a jogger when we were PUSHING our bikes along the path. We weren't in anyone's way. But hey, rules are rules, right?
Animal discrimination? Animal rights activists, engage.
Hmm. No loitering. Isn't that, kinda, what parks are for?
Starting to see a trend here?
Whoever lives in those apartment blocks have managed to extend that fence even further than it physically appears. They've created a protective bubble around it.
Just before this, there is a big window where people can look at Ground Zero and watch the activity going on. There is a security guard who stands there, apparently for the express purpose to tell people not to put their foot up on a ledge.
Cafe in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 3 rules, 1 window. Impressive.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
The “no honking” sign is always my favorite when I’m in NYC. Really now??
I do think these signs are more prevalent in cities than smaller towns, maybe based on the idea that large groups of people are harder to “control” than smaller ones. And really, that’s what’s all about – control. Especially in America, with our sue-happy-trigger-fingers, these signs “protect” the interests of the owners, and helps them to get those dolla bills when necessary. Call it the complete breakdown of society, or capitalism at its best.
The keep off the grass stuff is so symbolic. As I said, in Australia you are actually encouraged to walk on the grass. There are signs that actually say “PLEASE walk on the grass”. Why are we not allowed to walk on grass? What exactly is this stating?
Lol, the “positively no ball playing allowed” sign is great. And “no standing in front of building.” Can you sit, then?
Haha, the honking one cracks me up too. Uh-huh, nice try.
My mom has a similar post on her blog about signs seen in London: http://bridgestolondon.blogspot.com/search/label/signs
I love the no standing ones too (and the footwear at all times comes a close second).
He he, like the others my favourites are “no standing”, “positively no ball games” and – best of all – that you have to wear footwear in a park. Isn’t scrunching your toes up in grass the whole point of going there? What is this, an attempt to head off lawsuits when someone steps on a nasty?
It’s not only New York that has odd signs … Belgium has a few I’ve seen: http://unexpectedtraveller.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/brevity-is-the-soul-of-twit/ as does Sydney: http://unexpectedtraveller.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/down-under-down-under/
Great post! It reminded me of some of the wackier signs I’ve seen.
@Nick, yes, I do believe so. Thanks for the comments everyone. Just too much, isn’t it?
I was on the subway today and noticed for the first time at one of the stations as I was standing on the escalator going up, that they were constantly giving instructions/rules over the loud speaker. “Stay away from the sides of the escalator. Please do not sit on the steps or the handrails. Do not bring large or heavy objects on the escalator.” etc. Really?
This is amazing! Good job! When everyone is happy we have to try find a way to make them unhappy: if people sit on the grass, then ban it! I was in Toronto while G-20 was on, and there was a policeman driving a big white van rented from AVIS (big Avis sign on the car). I saw it and laughed loudly! (I mean, police driving Avis vans…?!!) And the policeman shouted to me: “HEY, NO LAUGHING EH!” haha
We were in Brooklyn Botanic garden yesterday sitting on a bench, these two girls were lying on the grass just chatting. Hardly anyone in there, no one else on the grass. Guy rolls up in his golf cart…”excuse me, you can’t be on the grass here. If you want, you can go down those steps and there is some grass you can sit on there.”
And Heleni, I don’t believe that last part!
this is great. i have wanted to do something like this for Seattle, calling it ‘sign of the times’, so many crazy statements, directions and suggestions bombarding us from officials, taggers, and corporations…it make me want to create my own signs and post them around the city…
Thanks Josh. If/when you do that, please take photos and share!
That’s a lot of ways to be told what to do. It reminds me of a time when I was out with some friends. It was late at night and we were in a public park just hanging out talking. Eventually the police came and told us to leave since there were noise complaints even though we were talking at a normal level and we weren’t breaking any rules by being there. I think sometimes people just like to tell others what to do even if there is no reason for it.
Great post! We made the same observations during our recent 2-wk stint in New York for Grantourismo! We really found it overwhelming. It was funny, though, that we commented on the colossal amount of signs to a few New Yorkers, and they said they hadn’t noticed!
Thanks Lara. Funny how you just take things for granted when you’re living somewhere. That’s one of the beautiful things about travel, seeing things with fresh eyes. Even when you live somewhere and leave and return, you just see things differently.