Grammar, punctuation and instruction: this particular combination makes me curious. What happens if it's unlocked? Does it ever open?

February 10th, 2013, 8pm

It was 19°C with few clouds.

There is something honest about a sign printed on an A4 sheet and taped to a door. It tells us about the history of the place. Someone cared enough about this issue to create a notice and put it on a door. No one cared enough to have a sign professionally produced to properly convey the message.

This door needs to stay locked at all times. By definition it will never open. So why make a sign? Why not just paint the door shut?

Maybe it only needs to stay locked while unattended. This is a warning, though, and not a call for attention. It clearly says that it’s a warning from which we can infer that something terrible will happen if we open the door. The door separates us from some kind of danger and keeping it locked ensures the danger will never be released.

So, what is the danger behind that door?

The other possibility here is that someone is merely being melodramatic or does not know how to convey the message appropriately.

This is not limited to Wellington, New Zealand. This probably happens a lot in your home town. These signs are examples of our inability to express ourselves appropriately and that is universal.

In my fantasy this sign would change to read “Warning: Keep this door locked for all time.”

How much power would that sign have? For how long?


Daryl and David Wade said thanks.

Share this moment

Josh Kinal

Other moments in Wellington

Create a free account

Have an account? Sign in.

Sign up with Facebook

or