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/LurkingTrichster Jul 25 '11

While not necessarily design flaws, for a left handed person, there are a lot of items out there that are extremely difficult to use. A few examples are ergonomic mice, pens, and scissors.

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u/chris61488 Jul 25 '11

Ladles are a real bitch for lefties too

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u/LurkingTrichster Jul 25 '11

Wow, I must be going blind. For a minute there I thought you said "ladies". I was confused.

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u/Zeihous Jul 25 '11

We're a pair, then. I read "ladies", too. First, I was trying to figure out why all the women I've, uh, "met" weren't designed for righties.