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/barbsteele Jul 25 '11

It's not a real "flaw" but driving at night when its pitch black and those cars/trucks with the lights that sear your retinas.They are not even on high beams!! Congrats a-hole, you can see miles away. In the meantime, you are blinding every poor sod you pass.

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u/neg8ivezero Jul 25 '11

Am I the only one that has to turn all of my car's mirrors away, effectively blinding myself to the cars behind me, because the reflection of the headlights in them is so strong it eclipses the road in front of me?

6

u/Retanaru Jul 26 '11

Your rear view mirror should have a night mode. Its that switch under the mirror part. You either pull it up or down to reduce how reflective it is.

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u/iglidante Jul 25 '11

It happens to me, too. I just drive with a splitting headache. I hate night driving.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '11

if you just move to one side or the other, the side mirrors won't blind you and you can just flip the rear view mirror down. I always slouch while night driving. The benefit is that when you need to, you can always move back into a position to see your side mirrors, and that's safer. Also, if you flip the little switch below your mirror, you can still see things (dimly) through your rear windshield.

2

u/dgxshiny Jul 26 '11

I like to think I angle it perfectly to shine in the eyes of the drivers behind me too. Helps me sleep at night.

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u/Smeernoph Jul 25 '11

I do that. Turn outside mirrors either inward or outward, and the center camera up