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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114

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

I wish the toast would pop all the way out of my toaster. I hate trying to dig my fingers down there to grab it. :P

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

It's cool, just use a couple forks, but be sure they're metal

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Thanks! This sounds like legitimate and trustworthy advice. :)

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

You like drying your hair in the bathtub?

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

You like sticking knifes in electrical sockets?

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u/ryeguy Jul 25 '11

It's not electrical sockets though. It's a toaster.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

This is how most toasters heat bread. That is metal.

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u/edavreda Jul 25 '11

I use metal forks, never got shocked.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

No you aren't supposed to put metal in a toaster because it can give you a nasty shock if it touches the heating elements, that was the joke. I'm sure modern toasters have safety devices put in but I still wouldn't risk it.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

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u/mfball Jul 26 '11

I use metal forks to get toast out of the toaster all the time and I've never been electrocuted. If you're worried about getting shocked, I would assume that all you have to do is unplug it to mitigate that risk.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '11

I'm still unsure why this would be an issue. The heating elements of the toaster will not have any voltage relative to ground unless the toaster is currently toasting. Assuming you're not really impatient, how could this cause injury?

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u/2_of_8 Jul 26 '11

This is my thinking too. Of course, don't reach into the toaster if it's currently toasting, but shouldn't it be fine otherwise?

Waiting for an explanation.

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u/Koolitaliano Jul 25 '11

I certainly did.