What does this graffiti mean?

[DavidsonOverlander]

This is painted on a bridge over Hwy 401 eastbound near Guelph, ON. Every time I see it I wonder what it means? Anyone know, or have you seen anything like it? The flower on the heart was added a year or more after the rest of it appeared, so I suspect that's not really part of it but was just added by someone who thought it would look cute.

[TinTin]

Ha!!, no idea really but here's a guess:

squares like money

[TG Twinkie]

Man + (with) money = love

[vinstream]

Gold digger!

[openroad118]

Corporate finance = Love!

[Air-Texas]

Is it a Gay reference?

2 gay businessmen with space helmets + money = Love?

[Protagonist]

It's a personal ad. "Seeking handsome wealthy executive for love."

Handsome = circled face, squared
Wealthy = dollar sign
Executive = man in a suit with a briefcase
Love = heart

Or maybe a solicitation. "Handome executive will pay for love."

I'm not just ignoring the yellow "flower" but also the red plus sign. The original graffito is probably just what's painted in black.

[Johnco]

That is the Walmart logo inside the heart...May change the "values" on the other side of the equation maybe?

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I'm not just ignoring the yellow "flower" but also the red plus sign. The original graffito is probably just what's painted in black.

It's possible that the red plus was added later, but I travel this road fairly frequently and it's been there since I first noticed it.

Grant

[Air Cruiser]

I don't think anyone else mentioned this, but is that a devil's tail circling up to the right of the man?

Deb

[Jim & Susan]

So what do we have so far.....

A square, but devilishly handsome executive with lots of money equals love found at Walmart?

Jim

[Tomzstream]

Well, I guess you never got off on Brock Rd to investigate, but a little detective work on Google Earth reveals it is an indicator for a Ride Share Lot... Two businessmen riding together saves money (HEART). It would have helped if you had told us which overpass... took me awhile to determine it was Brock Rd. Ontario has a rather well developed rideshare/carpool program and you can sign up online.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4521...7mVOIC6vpQ!2e0

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Tomzstream

Well, I guess you never got off on Brock Rd to investigate, but a little detective work on Google Earth reveals it is an indicator for a Ride Share Lot... Two businessmen riding together saves money (HEART). It would have helped if you had told us which overpass... took me awhile to determine it was Brock Rd. Ontario has a rather well developed rideshare/carpool program and you can sign up online.

Interesting, but disappointingly prosaic.

[Tomzstream]

There are two Walmarts in the vicinity but I doubt they are linked to this, but they may be sponsors. Its an interesting topic and anyone who knows railroading is familiar with the history of hobo folk ways and indicators for good camps and handouts and the like. Seems it has evolved into a rather nefarious organized crime gang (Freight Train Riders of America - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), but interesting just the same... Perhaps we need something similar for Boondocking? LOL! Someday, when all the baby boomers are well aged and full timing in their beat up RVs (is that day already here?) we may evolve such a culture... Or have we already?!

[cwf]

Evil business + money = it's all good...

Ya know, profiting from slave labor is wrong...

Then again.. slave labor is wrong, too.. just in case ya missed the implied..

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by Tomzstream

Well, I guess you never got off on Brock Rd to investigate, but a little detective work on Google Earth reveals it is an indicator for a Ride Share Lot... Two businessmen riding together saves money (HEART). It would have helped if you had told us which overpass... took me awhile to determine it was Brock Rd. Ontario has a rather well developed rideshare/carpool program and you can sign up online.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4521...7mVOIC6vpQ!2e0

I get on and off at that interchange frequently and knew that the Carpool lot was there but never made the connection. Your idea makes sense in some ways, but if that's the case I wonder why that symbol doesn't appear for westbound traffic or at any other 401 interchange. I drive the 401 frequently and many interchanges have carpool lots but I've never seen this anywhere else. It also doesn't explain the devil's tail that Air Cruiser noticed. I looked again today when I went by and it does appear to be a tail.

Thanks,
Grant

[Tomzstream]

I would think that the signage would be showing in the direction of the morning commute. That would seem to be the right side (east bound).

As you've said yourself, the graffiti seems to be evolving, so perhaps the tail was an enhancement added by a mischievous vandal. Kinda like drawing a mustache on a politician's campaign poster. What struck me was how professional the "graffiti" looked, so wouldn't be surprised at all if the original was "official".

One last thought, the town of Guelph is home to many accomplished cartoon and comic book artists, so maybe it was commissioned, or maybe it really is graffiti.

[Tomzstream]

As long as we are on the topic, what symbol would you use to indicate a good boondocking location? We know the little campground "trailer" symbol on highway signs, but what would you use to indicate a "less official" stayover opportunity? I am thinking a combination of a pirate flag and a van/trailer...

[Mockinbrd]

I think it's a man trolling for a man. For $.
How large is the graffiti sign? I think the man's halo and tail were added later. Look closely and they are not as precise as the man, 2, $, =, or heart.
Is this one 'good' man and one 'bad' man plus $ and that equals an expression of "love"?
Or is each man both part angel and part devil?
Personally, if I were a guy, looking at that ... I'd think ... $ doesn't equal love. I'm out of here.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Air Cruiser]

One other point of interest: Why is the "+" sign in red, and not black as the rest of the "graffiti"? There must be some sort of symbolism in that, or why go to the trouble to change colors?

Deb