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| Torrey Pines State Reserve, California |
What does the sign say?
"AREA CLOSED
DO NOT ENTER"
What does the sign mean? Why is the woman sitting on this delicate sandstone formation totally ignoring the directions on the sign? Could she be illiterate, a non-native speaker of English, or a person who doesn't care about protecting the special features of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve?
Many of my students from Europe comment that what they don't like about San Diego is the number of rules or laws that we have. However, every major town or city I've ever been to has signs to warn people of danger and to protect valuable historic parks, art, and natural wonders from vandalism or normal daily wear-and-tear.
Signs are a way that we protect ourselves from lawsuits - in case this woman falls and injures herself - but also to communicate to visitors in the absence of police or park rangers. Personally, I prefer to read a sign than to have park guards tell me what to do. Unfortunately, some people don't pay any attention to signs. They are thoughtless and irresponsible, and their actions sometimes lead to complete closure of areas. Please follow the sign directions.
Signs are a way that we protect ourselves from lawsuits - in case this woman falls and injures herself - but also to communicate to visitors in the absence of police or park rangers. Personally, I prefer to read a sign than to have park guards tell me what to do. Unfortunately, some people don't pay any attention to signs. They are thoughtless and irresponsible, and their actions sometimes lead to complete closure of areas. Please follow the sign directions.
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