# Leaving a few seconds on the microwave, or, just how big a hurry are you in? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 27, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032 "2000-01-27T03:48:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/1 "2000-01-27T03:48:00Z")
In the breakroom where I work is a microwave oven with a digital readout (as are most). When I go to lunch, someone has invariably left a few seconds on the timer. Usually, someone has been cooking popcorn and I know you have to play that by ear so as not to burn it. Lately, though, I have seen the timer with ONE SECOND LEFT ON IT!!! Reminds me of the Margaret Smith joke about her father’s impatience with microwaves: “I’ve been here 10 seconds. I don’t have all minute!” Would it kill ya to clear the damned thing out? There, how’s THAT for petty bitching? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Yue\_Han](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/eada6e/32.png) [@Yue\_Han](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yue_Han)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/2 "2000-01-27T04:06:00Z")
I do that 'cause I don’t want to listen to it beep. Plus it’s fun to try and get in time. –John ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/3 "2000-01-27T04:10:00Z")
But, John, there is a clear button on it. Can’t people leave things the way they found it (or better)? Clear the minutes, clean up after yourselves? Geez, it’s not that much of an effort, guys! \*I picked a dorm with no guys because I expected girls to be clean and considerate – boy was I wrong! * * * [Cessandra](http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/miscjunk/profile.html) I would’ve gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids! ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2000, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/4 "2000-01-28T04:18:00Z")
Trump, Apparently you were left off the inter-office memo listing the different ways to piss off various co-workers. Have you noticed that someone sneaks into the women’s room and lifts up all the seats, too? * * * Laugh and the world laughs with you. Smilie and you smilie alone (with my contempt). – missdavis ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2000, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/5 "2000-01-28T04:34:00Z")
“I noticed that,” Cessandra snaps peevishly. * * * [Cessandra](http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/miscjunk/profile.html) I would’ve gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids! ---
**Author:** ![Chrome\_Toaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Chrome\_Toaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chrome_Toaster)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2000, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/6 "2000-01-28T07:17:00Z")
Wow, all this time, I thought I was the only one who becomes annoyed when her hubby leaves 3 seconds on the microwave! It seems I am always clearing remnant seconds off the readout. But then he asks, “Why?!? It won’t make you have to push fewer buttons the next time you have to use it!” Which is true. So why do those left-over seconds annoy us? Will the numbers burn an image into the screen? * * * Maybe when my time comes I will have guessed. Chrome Toaster ---
**Author:** ![Delta-9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@Delta-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delta-9)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2000, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/7 "2000-01-28T19:55:00Z")
It’s the sheer laziness that bugs me. You have to push the “stop” button which is RIGHT NEXT to the “clear” button. C’mon folks, your finger is there already. * * * The odds that the bread will fall butter side down are directly proportional to the cost of the carpet. ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2000, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/8 "2000-01-29T06:38:00Z")
Chrome, on the microwave I use you _do_ have to clear it before you can put in a new time. Urrr. * * * [Cessandra](http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/miscjunk/profile.html) [http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/wolfgang.gif](http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/wolfgang.gif) Heehee! [http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/angel.gif](http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/angel.gif) LoL! [http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/chatty.gif](http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/chatty.gif) [http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/partygirl.gif](http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/partygirl.gif) This _is_ the pit, guys! [http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/cheer4.gif](http://flowerkitty.tripod.com/smile/cheer4.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Minxsmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Minxsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minxsmom)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2000, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/9 "2000-01-29T06:45:00Z")
Hey, I had to push “clear” from the last guy leaving extra time. You can push clear for me. Exactly how much work am I expected to do? * * * Princess of the Time and Space Continuum since 1969 (upgraded to Goddess 01/07/00) OK, we have enough youth. How about a fountain of smart. =^…^= ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2000, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/10 "2000-01-29T12:44:00Z")
I do the same thing, not only are 3 sec left but the door is ajar as well. When I am done eating I press clear then close the door. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2000, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/11 "2000-01-29T14:51:00Z")
One day I shall commit a heinous crime upon my husband because he always leaves exactly 1 teaspoon of orange juice in the container before he cheerfully returns it to the fridge. (I’ll be sure to ask Trumpy to testify at my trial.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2000, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/12 "2000-01-29T15:32:00Z")
SOmeone at work gets hot water out of the Sparklets dispenser, then makes it boil in the microwave oven. Of course it boils over. Then someone else will come along wanting to heat a muffin or something, and he or she puts it in the spilled water the person left behind. Since it’s hard to see water in the oven, I always have to wipe it out just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Minxsmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Minxsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minxsmom)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2000, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-few-seconds-on-the-microwave-or-just-how-big-a-hurry-are-you-in/4032/13 "2000-01-29T17:07:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by PunditLisa: > \*\*One day I shall commit a heinous crime upon my husband because he always leaves exactly 1 teaspoon of orange juice in the container before he cheerfully returns it to the fridge. > \*\* I believe they call that crime Justifiable Homicide.