Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. The Terrace, a restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand

2013 in signs and sayings, plus life lessons for 2014

On my travels to various parts of Asia, I often stop and take photos of interesting signs or pieces of English that I find interesting. Here’s a list of life lessons that we can glean from signs I’ve come across in 2013.

We all need money…

"Press for money" sticker on a crosswalk button in Singapore.

“Press for money” sticker on a crosswalk button in Singapore.

…but it isn’t worth going to jail.

Perjury by ATM in the Philippines

Perjury by ATM in the Philippines

It is good to be different…

Inspiration in a bathroom stall in Bangkok, Thailand

If you can’t be the best, at least you are different. Inspiration in a bathroom stall in Bangkok, Thailand

…but sometimes it’s easier to be the same.

Gas station bathroom soap dispenser in Bangkok, Thailand. This soap does it all!

Gas station bathroom soap dispenser in Bangkok, Thailand. This soap does it all!

And finally, don’t let yourself get too crazy…

Do not touch doubtful things

Do not touch doubtful things! In a Hakone Ropeway station in Hakone, Japan

…and try to always, or at least some of the time, think things through properly.

Goldfish teaching our children false reasoning. It should be "Life is sweet. Sweet is a vanilla cupcake. Therefore, life is a vanilla cupcake."

Goldfish teaching our children false logic/reasoning. It should be “Life is sweet. Sweet is a vanilla cupcake. Therefore, life is a vanilla cupcake.”

Here’s to a good 2014!