What do you think of this picture?

My family and I recently took a road trip. During a stop at a restaurant I came across this sign in the restroom (click picture to enlarge it).

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on whether you think this is a weak or strong control.

John Hunter
April 15, 2010 - 11:17 am
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I like it. It isn’t perfect (waiting on someone to point out a problem) but I think it is a good idea. In a place with a great system it might well not be needed, but since many places don’t this might be a good step.
Chad
April 15, 2010 - 2:26 pm
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Good idea I have seen used before, but if they were really proud of their restrooms the sign would be straight.
Mark R Hamel
April 15, 2010 - 7:15 pm
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Outstanding! A bathroom andon! Hopefully, the switch is actually hooked up to some sort of visual and/or audible signal and there is a responsive, well trained associate at the other end. Wonder what their standard work is?! There could be a lot a puns about “flow” here…
Dan Bartlett
April 16, 2010 - 8:16 am
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While I applaud the concept, the sign gives me little hope they really mean it. If we can’t hang the sign straight, why think they will do more than turn the switch off?
TJBraun
April 16, 2010 - 8:32 am
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Maybe, flipping the switch just turns the lights off so you can no longer see the condition of the rest room.
Mark R Hamel
April 17, 2010 - 8:37 am
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TJ,

That’s hilarious!!!
Garth
April 18, 2010 - 1:55 pm
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Very ambiguous instructions. If the switch is down when you walk in does that mean there are no problems, and you flick it up if you find one?
Or has someone already noticed the problem and flicked it down before you came in? If you flick it up, will that cancel the call?
Or is it just the change of state that triggers staff attention?
Shreekkanth Bhaskaran
April 19, 2010 - 3:50 am
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I think, the rest room is tidy and also kind of made sure that it is always clean. Incase if the room is not clean then you flip switch and someone would be there to take notice of whet exactly the problem is??? People of that hotel are proud of their restroom.
Phillip Martin
April 19, 2010 - 7:17 am
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It depends! If the switch merely turns out the light so you don’t see the issue, then it is obviously a tool used by a lot of companies when dealing with their issues. However, if they were that proud, the sign would be straight, which causes me to wonder if it is just a practical joke. Did you flip the switch to see what would happen? The switch does need to be labeled. I didn’t see an inspection checksheet beside the switch. There is no feedback, how do we know that the light bulb (assuming it lights a light somewhere) is not burnt out. When the switch is thrown, does it light a strobe, sound a horn and send a message to pages worn by restaurant engineers? All in all, I believe that the switch would be found to be more useful to customers if when it was thrown it turned on soothing sounds of a waterfall or a stream.