Lack of helpful signage is a huge pet peeve of mine. This sign is posted on the door of a high-traffic pedestrian walk-through in downtown Iowa City. There’s an arrow pointing up, implying “go this way.” Then, when you get up to the door, there’s a small sign with even smaller type that says, “Please use other door. Sorry for any inconvenience!”
If they truly didn’t want to inconvenience people, they should either fix the door or cover up the arrow. At the very least they could make the sign large enough to read from a distance of more than five feet away.
To make matters worse, the hotel that maintains the door placed their logo on the sign larger than anything else. It’s like saying, “we’re the ones annoying you.”
Here’s an example of what they should have done with the door:
You see, this sign is helpful. I would be able to see it from 30 or 40 feet away and I wouldn’t think twice about it, I would simply use the door next to it. “Sorry for any inconvenience” is like saying, “Sorry we’re not following through on our end of the bargain.” Instead of apologizing and pointing out the obstacle, direct people to the answer and allow them to move on with their day. Be a part of the solution, not the problem.
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