06 Feb Punny Signs
They say laughter is the best medicine. In fact, experts say laughing has a long list of genuine benefits to our health. It relaxes the whole body, boosts our immune systems and even burns calories, among other things. For me though, I need it just to help get through those crappy days. When we received the opportunity to purchase the old Kinney Shoe building in Waldorf several years ago, one of the first things I got excited about was the big “old school” marquee sign. “Oh yeah, you’ll be able to advertise sales and stuff” they said…aahh no. That’s not what I had in mind. Who needs another advertisement on the side of the road? Who really cares? Jokes! We need Jokes!
I know putting corny stuff on signs is nothing new. In fact, when I was in the Air Force back in the early 1990’s is the first time I came across one. It was a little off the main road at a self-storage place outside of Sumter, SC (the last place you’d expect). I was working all day and going to college at night for what seemed like forever. I remember countless mornings; sleep driving my way to the base after a long night of cramming for a test, turning the corner and just cracking up at the latest sign. Admittedly, many of them weren’t even that funny, but they were unexpected. I always appreciated them because, believe it or not, they helped me take a second to not only laugh but to put things back into perspective.
Anyway, now I get to have fun with them. I know, I know…many of them aren’t original, but that’s not the point. It’s the end result I’m looking for; seeing someone backed up in traffic on a dreary day out front suddenly glance over and start smiling. Now, before you call me out, I’ll admit that I also do it because I’m a shameless business owner and hey, that’s just great for brand recognition! It’s pretty cool though when I meet someone new and as soon as they find out what I do for a living many of them make the connection, smile and say “I love your signs!”
We’re often asked what our most popular signs have been but that’s too hard to say. I can tell you that the most controversial was probably the one about rewarding mediocrity for 20 years (teachers didn’t like that too much) or when I had to answer a call from a grandmother asking me why she had to explain to her grandkids what a nudist colony was. You’d also be surprised how many condolence comments we got on Facebook after posting the one about all of our Limbo trophies getting stolen. My proudest was probably the one that someone submitted to TheChive.com (I love that site) or the one that showed up as #4 on the Top 50 Most Hilarious Signs on Ranker.com. It read: Laugher is the best medicine…unless you have Diarrhea.