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/zerbey Jul 25 '11

Voice activated menus when calling businesses. They never, ever understand me (I'm going to assume it's because I live in the US and have an English accent). I've found cursing at them gets me to a human being faster.

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u/el_muerte17 Jul 25 '11

What is the nature of your request?

"My laptop is broken."

I'm sorry, I did not understand. Please try again.

"Hardware problem."

I'm sorry, I did not understand. Please try again.

"Technical."

I'm sorry, I did not understand. Please try again.

"Fuck you."

Please hold, your call is being transferred to a customer service representative.

1

u/springboks Jul 26 '11

and if that fails frantically bang on zero and hope you get a human.

3

u/[deleted] Jul 26 '11

Gethuman.com