Don't steal my tools

[jensputzier]

Very nice sign found at the historic dockyard in Chatham near London, England.

[Mad40er]

That is awesome!

[soob]

It's amusing that they were so verbose back then when paper (and signs and the like) cost so much more than they do today.

[soob]

Try this:

STEAL OR POSSESS
STOLEN TOOLS AND
YOU WILL BE FIRED!
PLEASE REPORT ANY
SUSPECTED THEFTS.

[hifi_hokie]

Originally Posted by soob

It's amusing that they were so verbose back then when paper (and signs and the like) cost so much more than they do today.

Ironically, the overall literacy rate was likely a lot less.

[AlchemyMetalworks]

Originally Posted by soob

It's amusing that they were so verbose back then when paper (and signs and the like) cost so much more than they do today.

Originally Posted by soob

Try this:

STEAL OR POSSESS
STOLEN TOOLS AND
YOU WILL BE FIRED!
PLEASE REPORT ANY
SUSPECTED THEFTS.

You don't get it. People actually made an effort to COMMUNICATE back then.

The message was more about moral courage and less about illegality. There is a strong subliminal undercurrent in the above sign that the DECENT people should stick together and the wrongdoers should be burdened with the shame of their actions.

That was back when a man's word and his actions were still valued.

It amazes me how many people equate moral with legal. They aren't the same at all. There are laws which are immoral, and there are moral things that are illegal.

Nowadays all we care about is liability and proof of guilt. Without those, it's a free for all. Bad guys walk around with their heads hung high and decent people mumble under their breath saying "What can you do?"...this sign is proof that it wasn't always that way.

People used to actually look out for eachother and bolster themselves. Decency flourished. If only people could wrap their mind around such a concept and bring it back in fashion!

[soob]

You've got to tell people stealing is wrong? That seems especially silly when they're the ones who are being stolen from.

[AlchemyMetalworks]

Originally Posted by soob

You've got to tell people stealing is wrong? That seems especially silly when they're the ones who are being stolen from.

No, the decent people know stealing is wrong. It's the fact that the union/trade/company is reinforcing the idea that shaming wrongdoers is actually SUPPORTED.

Makes a huge difference in morale and workplace atmosphere. Scumbags won't stay long in an environment like that, they get weeded out fast or find someplace where that shit will be tolerated.

[richfinn]

Originally Posted by hifi_hokie

Ironically, the overall literacy rate was likely a lot less.

You would be shocked, all my English Grandparents from poor backgrounds were avid readers, could produce beautiful handwriting and do any kind of math calculation without the aid of a calculator and recite all kinds of poetry rhymes/songs etc.

Many kids in Britain nowadays are incomprehensible, and can barely read and write, forget basic maths.

Our education system has collapsed

[MartyO]

I want to steal that sign!

[eddyyy302]

Originally Posted by AlchemyMetalworks

You don't get it. People actually made an effort to COMMUNICATE back then.

The message was more about moral courage and less about illegality. There is a strong subliminal undercurrent in the above sign that the DECENT people should stick together and the wrongdoers should be burdened with the shame of their actions.

That was back when a man's word and his actions were still valued.

It amazes me how many people equate moral with legal. They aren't the same at all. There are laws which are immoral, and there are moral things that are illegal.

Nowadays all we care about is liability and proof of guilt. Without those, it's a free for all. Bad guys walk around with their heads hung high and decent people mumble under their breath saying "What can you do?"...this sign is proof that it wasn't always that way.

People used to actually look out for eachother and bolster themselves. Decency flourished. If only people could wrap their mind around such a concept and bring it back in fashion!

HERE, HERE!!! You and I could be friends, I feel the same way on the issue and when I speak about it, no one seems to understand!

Dan

[bdkruger1]

Originally Posted by richfinn

You would be shocked, all my English Grandparents from poor backgrounds were avid readers, could produce beautiful handwriting and do any kind of math calculation without the aid of a calculator and recite all kinds of poetry rhymes/songs etc.

Many kids in Britain nowadays are incomprehensible, and can barely read and write, forget basic maths.

Our education system has collapsed

Same holds true in the states.

[PCO6]

Originally Posted by bdkruger1

Same holds true in the states.

Canada two. Sorry, I meant to ... or is it too? I know it's won of them.

[justanengineer]

Originally Posted by AlchemyMetalworks

No, the decent people know stealing is wrong. It's the fact that the union/trade/company is reinforcing the idea that shaming wrongdoers is actually SUPPORTED.

Makes a huge difference in morale and workplace atmosphere. Scumbags won't stay long in an environment like that, they get weeded out fast or find someplace where that shit will be tolerated.

It reminds me of the military, where this attitude is very much supported and encouraged, and yes the dirtbags do get weeded out relatively fast. If you get the masses to NOT IGNORE the seemingly petty crimes, the world gets much easier.

Very nice sign btw. Is that an original or repop? If someone makes a repop of it I just might have to add it to my wall.

[AlchemyMetalworks]

Originally Posted by justanengineer

It reminds me of the military, where this attitude is very much supported and encouraged, and yes the dirtbags do get weeded out relatively fast. If you get the masses to NOT IGNORE the seemingly petty crimes, the world gets much easier.

That's exactly where I developed that notion. We police ourselves and eachother, very rarely do things progress to the point that the MPs get involved.

People are too passive and don't want the responsibility of being actively involved in their day-to-day community...be that the culture of work, their neighborhood, their schools, or whatever else is important to them.

They shuffle that responsibility onto "authorities" and then wonder how/where/when/why those authorities got corrupt. It happens because those "authorities" grabbed what power they could once that initial power was given to them.

The only way to avoid those scenarios is to be a very active individual in the course of your life...I'm not talking political activism or picketing, I'm talking about simple things like not allowing dirtbags to get a foothold in the first place.

[porphyre]

Originally Posted by AlchemyMetalworks

It amazes me how many people equate moral with legal. They aren't the same at all. There are laws which are immoral, and there are moral things that are illegal.

Sigged.

[35mm]

Originally Posted by MartyO

I want to steal that sign!

I noticed that it is held in place by 10 fasteners. Probably to stop people like you.

[MartyO]

Originally Posted by 35mm

I noticed that it is held in place by 10 fasteners. Probably to stop people like you.

10 fasteners wouldn't stop me!

[patrick66]

People back then were actually MORE literate, as schools actually taught people how to read, write, and comprehend the English language. This is not the case these days. Put that sign in front of a recent college graduate and ask him to read it, AND tell you what is means. I'll bet many can't comprehend the meaning of the sign. I deal with the results of government schools every day, teaching 18-30 year olds. It is very disconcerting, at times.

Plus, people then had real respect for each other and their property. They actually lived the Golden Rule. People understood there were consequences to be paid for their actions. It is indeed a different world today, and NOT for the better.

[ZRX61]

Originally Posted by richfinn

Many kids in Britain nowadays are incomprehensible,

I think you'l find that's just in Yorkshire




Someone need to get hold of one of the companies that make the repro signs & have them do a run of those..