Signs/Typefaces that you consider abrasive

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RJDG14
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29 Dec 2015, 3:38 pm

I have a few questions among this, and these are highlighted in bold.

Anyway, one of the my biggest concerns about going out places at the moment would be the various signs/typefaces commonly seen around city centres and premises. These appear to shift over time, and of course, UK variants (where I live) are likely different to the variants seen in the USA. I'm asking here to see if any other autistic users have phobias of seeing certain signs that appear unfriendly or abrasive to them. Please tell me your impression of each of these signs/campaigns, and if this would result in you boycotting or feeling unwelcome with places displaying these signs. If I've not linked the image example, a simple Google search of my term should generate images of the campaign or sign.

My biggest target at the moment would be the (British) retail industry's voluntary Challenge 25 sign (http://www.underagesales.co.uk/user/products/large/c25poster%20age%20restricted-page-001.jpg?vm=r&s=1) and its many minor variants. I don't object a policy like this in principal, and understand the reason why many shops have taken action across the UK and implemented this scheme over the past decade, as the Government has threatened larger fines for underage sales to stores, however I feel that most retail establishments use fairly abrasive signage like that one, and I haven't quite yet realised why so few 18-25 year olds feel the way I do (I'm actually 15, but would never attempt to buy alcohol underage, C25 or no C25). One of the most abrasive uses of this sign that I've seen was a huge (at least A1) poster hung outside a Sainsbury's store in Derby. If there are any adults aged 21+ in the US, may you please let me know whether or not premises there have signage like this on alcohol matters, and if so, whether it is as unpleasent as this sign. I'm aware of rather strict ID checks, possibly more harsh than my country, but am less familiar with industry standard signage like this.

Strangely I have more time for the BBPA's Challenge 21 signage (http://www.mboxkaraoke.co.uk/images/challenge21poster.gif?vm=r&s=1), which seems to be common in pubs and restaurants (but no longer in shops for some reason). Does this sign appear more or less abrasive than the former?

Another abrasive sign from my view was the UK Home Office's "Go Home or Face Arrest" advert from 2013 (http://www.staysafemagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/go_home_or_face_arrest.jpg?vm=r&s=1), although this will never impact me personally, and there is only one establishment to blame in this case, so therefore I ignore this.

A number of UK DVD piracy campaigns that I've come across have also appeared rather unpleasent. Most notabally the 2005 "You Wouldn't Steal a Car" film from the MPAA/FACT, depending on where you live. I have less of a problem with "Beware of Illegal Video Cassettes" (UK, 1990s) as it targets only pirates, not the viewer in the same way as the former did. 2007's "Knock Off Nigel" also seems less abrasive.

My final question would be that if you see a sign against a crime that you consider abrasive, in a certain place, and would have not wanted to commit that crime anyway, would it decrease your attitude towards that place if it could impact you? And do you have any advice to help my grief of constantly being exposed to any of the stuff I mentioned?



kraftiekortie
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29 Dec 2015, 4:39 pm

I don't tend to like Gothic-style lettering too much.



Spiderpig
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30 Dec 2015, 1:59 am

A lot of signs and typefaces are clearly meant to look aggressive and intimidating, so they're only doing their job well.


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