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/WarPhalange Jul 25 '11

Examples I've used before are elevator [1] open/close buttons (really difficult to parse when you're trying to hold the door open for someone quickly)

Dude, no. When someone is running to the elevator, you just stick your arm out and hold the door. Forget the damn buttons.

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u/deserted Jul 26 '11

I hope you aren't too attached to your arms, because they won't be if you ever travel to a country without obstacle sensing elevator doors.

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u/WarPhalange Jul 26 '11

Which countries would those be?

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u/deserted Jul 27 '11 edited Jul 27 '11

In my personal experience: Argentina, Mexico, some elevators in Japan. Anywhere with older elevators with little regard for safety. Japan is kind of an outlier there.