"Don't touch." You'd think it would be pretty self explanatory but, for some reason, warning signs and barrier ropes often have the opposite effect in museums and art galleries.
Rather than keeping a respectful distance, the young, curious and downright rebellious are drawn towards items behind the rope and when security aren't looking put their mitts on precious, and often expensive, works of art and irreplaceable artefacts.
Touching an artefact might seem harmless, but New Zealand Maritime Museum said the cumulative impact of touching items could result in lasting damage.
"Although we often have signs requesting that visitors don't touch, they aren't always read," the collections team said.
"The most common damage that happens over time is from oils and sweat on the skin, which remove varnish from vessels and can also mark metal surfaces, such as bells."