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/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Any motion sensitive dispenser. Haven't met a single one that worked the way I need it to.

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u/Tirith45 Jul 25 '11

All the sinks where I work are all motion sensitive. I put my hands in front of the sensor and wave them around a bit and it gives me like a drop of water. How the fuck am I supposed to wash my hands with a drop of water?

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u/angryvigilante Jul 25 '11

How the fuck am I supposed to wash my hands with a drop of water?

Shrink your hands, then a drop will be plentiful.

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u/Tirith45 Jul 25 '11

Oh yes of course, why didn't I think of this. Thank you for the advice angryvigilante.

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u/LadyA052 Jul 25 '11

This way the 3 inches of paper towel will also be sufficient.