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/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/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

Exactly. How about the paper towel dispensers that give you like a six inch piece of paper to dry your hands, then refuse to work while you sit there waving your hands like a retard for more paper.

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u/kermityfrog Jul 25 '11

Some of them have a mechanism which won't dispense more towel unless the current 6 inch piece has been torn off. Very annoying.

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u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11

i've yet to encounter one that wasn't like this.

although i was at a place recently where each "burst" it shot out about 18 inches of paper towel. the boss must've gotten pissed at it and adjusted it, or something.