When you step into John de Silva’s home, you can be forgiven for thinking that you are not welcome. You see, the walls of his home are decorated with numerous DO NOT DISTURB sign. However, you need not worry as collecting these signs is just his hobby.
One of the signs is in the shape of a teapot, another is shaped like a hornbill, and there are so many more that catch the eye with their colorful words and designs. John’s favorite is the one in the shape of teapot.
A reporter once asked him, “What prompted you to collect DO NOT DISTURB signs?”
“It all began in 1984 when I visited my friend, Kenny, in Germany,” John told the reporter. “I was captivated by his huge collection of DO NOT DISTURB signs. I thought they were so interesting and colorful, and there was such a variety of them. It’s such an unconventional hobby.”
When John was asked how he had managed to accumulate such an extensive collection, he told the reporter that his work took him to all parts of the world. Whenever he stayed in a hotel, he would make a point of taking away the DO NO DISTURB sign.
His family, friends and colleagues are so impressed with his collection that they have also begun to collect signs whenever they go overseas. His friends who visit him are never tired of admiring his signs. He enjoys looking through his collection occasionally, for each sign brings back pleasant memories of an overseas trip. His two children are especially thrilled whenever he brings back some new signs.
Recently, John has taken up another hobby. When asked to comment on his new hobby, he said, “Collecting car number plates from all over the world is not such an easy task. People usually prefer to collect matchboxes and phonecards as they are much easier to come by.”