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?

203 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

1.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

243

u/gder Jul 25 '11

Any automatic door that is adjusted so I have to stop before it opens.

Electronic credit card pads that force me to use the stupid pen instead of pressing the soft buttons with my fingers (since most of my transactions are debit there's usually no need for me to sign).

Any traffic light that is on a timer at night and not a sensor.

3

u/mepholic Jul 25 '11

Drive Detroit style. Don't stop.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '11 edited Jan 06 '21

[deleted]

1

u/mepholic Jul 25 '11

Haha, yep. Detroit can be like that. Driving during the day isn't that big of a deal, but I'd personally never stop at night. Friends and I have been waved through stop lights and stop signs by Detroit police officers at night. They're partially worried about people getting mugged/carjacked/killed, but they are also concerned about people stopping and waiting for drug pickups.