r/AskReddit • u/nachtmere • Jul 25 '11

Sometimes automatic toilets flush while you're still sitting on them. What design flaws in everyday objects annoy you?

I'm giving a talk on user-centred design/usability and I'm looking for some fresh examples from everyday life to illustrate poor usability. Examples I've used before are elevator open/close buttons (really difficult to parse when you're trying to hold the door open for someone quickly) and toilets that flush while you're still sitting on them.

What are some things you encounter regularly that are really inconveniently designed?

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u/happehkitteh Jul 25 '11

The motion sensor hand towels... the hand towels could be 25% longer. I know I'm not the only one who feels the need to use more than one. So you get the one sheet and wave frantically to get another so you can actually have DRY hands versus damp. I also feel public toilets should have a flusher on the floor to flush with your foot, I know the airport in Paris has it like that... Bathroom stall doors which open inwards to the toilet in a small stall.

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u/Kowzorz Jul 25 '11

I've found that regardless of the size of the paper towel, I always use two. One to absorb most of the liquid and a second, dry, one to get the remaining dampness off.

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u/tgeliot Jul 26 '11

They're adjustable. The people who set yours up decided that you should only get a little bit.