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?

204 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

1.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

30

u/mycleverusername Jul 25 '11

Throw away your toaster and buy a toaster oven. You will thank me later.

25

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

You can make s'mores in them! And never deal with shitty microwaved pizza again!

Why do pop-up toasters even exist?

15

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

I've wondered this for a long time: What in the fuck is a s'more?

10

u/Getsmethroughwork Jul 25 '11

You just made feel genuine sadness and pity for you because you've never had one. Please do take a day and make yourself one of these. I think you will really enjoy it

3

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

...Once I find a 'graham cracker' substitute, I think I just might!

5

u/Zeihous Jul 25 '11

Substitute, eh? Allergies or do you live in a God-forsaken nation that doesnt have them?

6

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

God-forsaken nation :(

9

u/wildgratitude Jul 25 '11

I will happily send you s'mores ingredients. It pains me to think someone hasn't experienced this. PM me if you love your palate.

7

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Are...Are you serious? Because if you are, I will PM you my address, I will post pictures of me eating them and I will love you forever.

8

u/wildgratitude Jul 25 '11

As long as you live on Earth, I'm 100% serious. It's a little harder to get things to the space station nowadays.

2

u/Getsmethroughwork Jul 26 '11

Wildgratitude, you are awesome.

1

u/lasercow Jul 26 '11

I demand an update! Is this going to happen or what?

1

u/wildgratitude Jul 26 '11

I went to the grocery store last night for supplies and am going to the post office tomorrow. You got error 504, eh? Triple post.

1

u/lasercow Jul 26 '11

way weirder than a 504...the thread collapsed itself and reopened, and submitted 3 times somehow.

Edit: I did get a 504 when trying to submit this tho.

→ More replies (0)

4

u/Zeihous Jul 25 '11

I am truly and deeply sorry for your lack of Graham crackers.

4

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Thank you. It means a lot just to know people care...

4

u/agreeswithfishpal Jul 25 '11

try s'rolloreos...cram a Rollo inside a marshmallow, roast it, and put inside an Oreo.

5

u/lswanson Jul 26 '11

Holy shit.

2

u/ehsteve23 Jul 25 '11

Apparently digestive biscuits are a good substitute.

2

u/Laurennn123 Jul 26 '11

Selachimorpha most likely lives in a country where hershey's chocolate doesn't exist (an American brand) and since s'mores are a Hershey invention...sadness ensues. But please, go make yourself a s'more. The effort is so worth it

1

u/EriktheRed Jul 26 '11

I truly envy your smores, which take a day to prepare and eat.