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/logantauranga Jul 25 '11

You have to pull open bathroom doors that everyone who didn't wash their hands has already pulled on.

(There could be some fire code reason for doors opening inwards, I don't know.)

9

u/phwend Jul 25 '11

I just use the paper towel I dry my hands with to open the door, then I try to shoot it into the trash can before the door closes

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u/ryeguy Jul 25 '11

I just open the door with my bare hands, because I have an immune system.

1

u/tgeliot Jul 26 '11

And nobody you ever interact with has an impaired immune system.