If you’re looking for (another) sign that the world has lost its marbles, consider yourself in luck. Society has arrived at a point where posters proudly sport things like, “We plan to cut all homeless people in half by 2025,” and menus offer such delights as, “Chicken rude and unreasonable.” Try as we might, there are some things we just can’t make up…
As proof, Bored Panda has put together an epic list of receipts gathered from a page called Message Unclear. It’s an online community where boggled minds gather to make sense of some of the most nonsensical pieces of communication they’ve spotted in the wild. Besides the above-mentioned blunders, you’ll also find gems like the hospital sign ordering sick people to “Stop! Please do not enter if you’re feeling unwell.” And the potentially dangerous warning: “Crocodiles do not swim here.”
Sit back, keep scrolling and enjoy these with a pinch of salt. Because clearly, some people do not take the task of communicating as seriously as they should.
#1 In Half!
Image source: hahanawmsayin
#2 Pighe Ntear Cheo Htel
Image source: RulerK
#3 She Wo Turns Boyfriends Into Goblins
Image source: RulerK, lyricstitches
Humans have been communicating since the dawn of time. Even before there was language, our ancestors “spoke” to each other using non-verbal cues like hand gestures, pointing, and pantomiming. According to researchers from the University of California, there wasn’t any reading or writing until roughly 5,000 years ago.
“People started writing things down so they could keep track of accounts. For example, if Farmer Joe owed Farmer Jill three sheep, then they would draw a picture of a sheep and write down three marks,” explains the university’s site.
Those pictures evolved into into hieroglyphics and then into the letters that we use today. And while we’d like to think that writing and reading has made things easier, it seems that’s not always the case.
#4 Explain It Peter.. Who Are Birds Who Are Bees???
Image source: HollyBee159
#5 Thanks For Clearing That Up
Image source: Comprehensive_Cap290
#6 What Does This Sign Mean?
Image source: RulerK
Too often, messages are unclear, causing chaos, confusion and sometimes even comedy gold. But on a serious note, mixed messages confuse your audience, undermine your credibility and often achieve the opposite of what you intended. That’s the word from communication experts at Shift-ology.
“Mixed messages occur when the different elements of your communication – tone, content, context and intent – contradict each other or send competing signals,” they explain. “They create cognitive dissonance in your audience, forcing them to choose which part of your message to believe while questioning your authenticity and competence.”
#7 So Who Is Allowed In?
Image source: RulerK
#8 I’m Confused
Image source: DevShelly
#9 Classic
Image source: X-4341
The Shift-ology team warns that mixed messages often only become obvious when you hear them spoken. They add that one way to ensure clearer communication is to apply what they call the Headline Test. This means asking yourself: “If someone only read the headline and the conclusion of my message, would they understand my main point?”
The experts stress that clear communication isn’t about dumbing down your message. But rather about being direct, consistent and authentic. In other words, say what you mean and mean what you say.
#10 When Close The Start Dooring
Image source: Kyiakhalid
#11 Those Poor Kids…
Image source: RulerK
#12 🤨
Image source: kg_digital_
Even when you think your message is as clear as day, it could still be completely misinterpreted. And there are several reasons why… The first is context.
As psychologist, author, public speaker, and business strategist Liane Davey explains, you can’t always assume that your intended audience has the same information, background, or schema as you. And if they don’t, there’s a good chance they’ll interpret your message differently than how you expect.
“That’s especially problematic if their different interpretation leads to inappropriate behaviors or unproductive reactions,” warns the expert.
#13 What Order Do You Really Read This In?
Image source: RulerK
#14 Don’t Read Too Closely
Image source: RulerK
#15 Me When People Ask What I’m Going To Do With My Life
Image source: SpencerTheFactorial
Davey says another reason why your messages could get misinterpreted is because people respond differently to the same stimulus (i.e., message, body language, tone, etc.). She reveals that she often sees people trying to be very clear and dispassionate, only to be told they were harsh or too direct.
In these cases, says the expert, “the sender often fails to create the desired effect because the receiver feels hurt or becomes defensive.”
The same applies to cultural or language differences.
#16 Which Way Do They Mean It? (There Aren’t Any Or Don’t Put Any)
Image source: RulerK
#17 Rude And Unreasonable Chicken
Image source: RulerK
#18 Bad Design Sign
Image source: RulerK
#19 What Speed Again?
Image source: RulerK
#20 Ummm Okay
Image source: HollyBee159
#21 3 What Now?
Image source: RulerK
#22 You’re Car. You’re Problem. You’re Doomed
Image source: DevShelly
#23 Information…?
Image source: RulerK
#24 Seems Radioactive
Image source: RulerK
#25 Let’s Play A Game, Genderguessr
Image source: RulerK
#26 What Is It Then?
Image source: RulerK
#27 I Can’t Figure Out What This Means, But Definitely Has A Story Behind It
Image source: RulerK
#28 No Clue!
Image source: RulerK
#29 So
Image source: autumnsincere159
#30 Guess They Thawed Out The Word Grammar Instead 🥩😂
Image source: Kelsey_White1
#31 Who’s It For?
Image source: RulerK
#32 Against The Law!? So We Are Legally Required To Intoxicate Children?
Image source: RulerK
#33 Wth?
Image source: RulerK
#34 Yes
Image source: No_Accident_2302
#35 Yes? .. Or No?? 🤔
Image source: Apple_Cooler63
#36 I’m Not Sticking Around There For Long!
Image source: RulerK
#37 Been Looking At This For 5 Minutes…
Image source: iRhaeghar85
#38 No Safety! Smoking First!
Image source: Unlikely_Advance_252
#39 Wait, What?
Image source: unknown
#40 What Now?
Image source: RulerK
#41 I Just Love That They Went With This Over A No Trespassing/Private Property Sign
Image source: RulerK
#42 Don’t Not? – This Sign At A Local Subway That Mails Paper Coupons Out Every Other Week
Image source: TheRealMrChips
#43 Oh Sweet Sweet Irony
Image source: cantbebothered6789
#44 From My Periodontist’s Intake Form
Image source: Maleficent-State-749
#45 Was Very Confused For A Minute, But Per Caption His Name Is Actually Third
Image source: Old-Instruction4640
#46 That Seems Harsh But Maybe The Advocates Should Stop Breaking-In?
Image source: mahatmatom
#47 Am I Awake Or Sleeping?
Image source: IRadiateYou1999
#48 Women Are Always Right, Right?
Image source: RulerK
#49 🤔
Image source: RulerK
#50 Who Removed Their Ring?
Image source: uberviolence
#51 One Word In Spanish
Image source: RulerK
#52 As An Slp, This One Always Bothered Me…
Image source: MD_SLP7
#53 Message Is Vague, But I’ll Probably Look For Some Other Door
Image source: shedmow
#54 We Are Sorry For The Incontinence As Well
Image source: RulerK
#55 Thank You!
Image source: ToiletSlaveForHire
#56 🥛🍊🤔
Image source: RulerK
#57 Please, Don’t Wash. You Are Balls
Image source: Ic_You_Salamanderist
#58 I Found This On Safari In South Africa
Image source: crazylady1971
#59 Make Up Your Mind!
Image source: RulerK
#60 Found Walking Around In Iceland – About 7 Feet Tall And Made Out Of Pipes
Image source: theeniceorc
#61 Focus If I On My Can’t Of The Then I Tiger Outcome Must
Image source: ERGOSPHERE_
#62 Break What?
Image source: Agile_Guide_7050
#63 Wait. Where?
Image source: King_Ralph1
#64 So Which Is It?
Image source: RulerK
#65 At A Buddhist Temple
Image source: tomveiltomveil
#66 Non Binary From A Straight Grandmother To Say Hello & I’m With You
Image source: SweeperOfDreams
#67 But It’s Not A Floor, It’s A Wall!
Image source: RulerK
#68 Directions Unclear
Image source: bigswedemc
#69 Saw This In Norway In A Souvenir Shop
Image source: RulerK
#70 Is This Qr Code In The Room With Us
Image source: RulerK
#71 They Just Got This Helmet Intercom From China, And Need Help With Understanding The Instructions
Image source: RulerK
#72 What The Fack?!
Image source: RulerK
#73 Ham Or Glam? — Capitalization Is Important!
Image source: RulerK
#74 Huh?
Image source: RulerK
#75 Please Help Yourselves In The Fridge
Image source: HeioFish
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