When you see a wet floor sign in front of the restroom

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What do you think it means?



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I was in class today for my new job I am getting and I learned that wet floor signs in front of restrooms means closed, not "Caution, the floor is wet." The teacher said it doesn't matter if the sign says it's closed or not but when you see a wet floor sign, it means it's closed. Even little kids know that and lot of people know it. I felt so stupid for not ever knowing. I always thought "wet floor" meant wet floor, not closed. I never thought about the sign being in front of the door meant it's closed, I thought the floor had just been mopped so they are warning us it's wet so walk with caution. No one had ever told me in the past that wet floor signs in front of restrooms is another way of saying it's closed. I sure hope I am not the only one here who didn't know that either until later in life. I just found out today.

Are you sure that your teacher is right? I've never heard that before. If a wet floor sign is blocking the door, I just move it slightly so I can get around it, and just walk carefully. I don't really think it means that the bathroom is closed. If the bathroom is closed, the sign should say that it is closed.

The sign either means "wet floor, walk cautiously" or "closed" depending on the placement of the sign. If the sign is in the middle of a floor, that means the floor it is in the middle of is wet, walk carefully. If the sign is blocking a door or doorway, it means "closed".

That's too subtle for me. They should be more explicit when it comes to safety concerns.

I always just go in. If there is a cleaner there who doesnt want me in there they would just tell me to get out again. I dont think anyone understands these weird "sign traditions".

Wow... that is just really bizarre. So what does it mean when they tape a sign to the door that says "closed" and there is no wet floor sign?

How is someone supposed to know it means closed if something doesn't specifically say it, and granted I know a lot of things are IMPLIED when said, but when it's in black and white in front of you it's implied as well? That sure is a paradox. No wonder we are all so confused in every day life.

Agreed. If I see that the janitor's cart is outside the bathroom, I just poke my head in and ask if they mind me using the bathroom while they are cleaning. Usually they don't, although sometimes they will ask me to wait a minute.

I'm still not convinced that this sign placement business is common practice though- it seems too unintuitive.

It depends on how bad you have to go. If I can wait, I assume the sign means---if at all possible, please find another restroom. If I can't wait, I assume the sign means---well if you must, go ahead and use the restroom, but please do be careful of the wet floor.

I really think the "wet floor" sign is supposed to have a variable meaning, depending upon the urgency of the person desiring to use said restroom. The sign is probably there for liability purposes, as opposed to closure purposes.

So I think either you were misinformed, or they should use a "closed" sign to discourage possible use, if the restroom is indeed closed....and lock the door if they want to prevent use of the restroom.

Last edited by alba on 06 Oct 2009, 5:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I am so happy I am not the only one who didn't know this.

I asked my husband about this and he already knew this too and I asked how long has he known and he said he doesn't know/ I asked him if he figured it out on his own or if someone had to tell him also and he said he thinks he figured it out on his own.

Okay so this could be one of those unwritten rules people figure out on their own, even at a young age but us ASD's miss this. The teacher said it was common sense and when something is blocking a doorway it means it's closed just like when roads get blocked off by signs. Could that be why people wouldn't try and get past me when I be in their way? I used to wonder why don't they just squeeze by me than just standing there? Why not go around me or move my laundry cart? I mean come on, at a hotel if you are walking in the hallway and a cart is blocking your way, move it. The hallway can't possibly be closed you know.

You can still use the restroom if you have to.

Uhm wow, no I had no idea.

it means the floor is wet probly. but ive never used a restroom before (i couldnt get potty trained) so it makes no difference to me

Yea, exactly... usually if it's closed, it says closed.
Now here's the question: If "wet floor" means closed, how do they signify that the floor is wet?

Edit: Kris says that if he sees a "caution wet floor" sign he'll be careful not to slip, and if anybody bothers him about it he'll tell them to leave him alone, because if they wanted to say that it was closed they should have put a closed sign up. Well, he didn't say it in those words, but I can't use language like that on a forum where there are kids.

Last edited by Maggiedoll on 06 Oct 2009, 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I am sure you have used it to get changed or wash your hands when you get them dirty unless you used baby wipes to clean them.

They signify it by putting the sign in the middle of the floor, away from the door. It's all about where the sign is placed: in the middle of the floor (wet floor) or blocking the door (do not enter- closed). This system allows them to only have to carry around one sign and use it for two purposes rather than have to carry around two signs.

Last edited by Janissy on 06 Oct 2009, 6:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.

wow yeah all the time but thats not wat i mean and haha yeh when im out if i need my hands washed i will use baby wipes lol