Why do most maximum occupancy signs say "'x' persons" instead of "'x' people?"?

I have always wondered this, and I still have yet to find an answer :[

Because one counts individuals, not groups. “People” is a collective noun.

But 60 is a collective amount (plural)... So wouldn’t the sign company assume that there will always be more than one person? That would be funny if a restaurant actually made the max capacity one.. :D

Because those signs are written by lawyers and not writers.

I believe what @pdworkin is saying is that a person is an individual and a people is a group of persons. And then @Marina‘s answer comes into play. If a place claims its capacity is 60 people, and it turns out that they can’t fit all the individuals of 60 different ages, races, religions, etc. into their building, there could be legal issues.

Thanks, @MacBean

I fucking loathe the word persons. Same with monies.

@uberbatman I think you want to post that in this thread. ; D

because @gailcalled doesn’t work at a sign factory.~

@Marina good idea :)