Bite-Size Semiotics

Boring Tuesdays: Toilet 50 meters to the left

This post is part of our Boring series, where one Tuesdays we sometimes post analyses on signs we did not find particularly interesting. The idea is to offset personal biases.


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This sign is located near the Korkeasaari Zoo in Mustikkamaa, Helsinki. It depicts the standard symbolic letter pair "WC" together with an indexing extra sign telling the viewer that said bathroom is 50 meters to the left.

Being close to a Zoo with many visitors, it is not surprising that the city has prepared with public toilets and signage to guide people towards them. This is especially important as the Zoo will get visitors from further away than just the locals who would learn the toilet locations by heart.