# Poor designs in everyday life **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358 "2019-04-10T21:36:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/181 "2019-05-01T18:24:35Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > That’s the fella > > sure, I know what it is, just don’t know why that is considered to be a useful solution. What is the benefit in getting people to reach up under the lampshade? > > Riocker switch inline or on the base is by far the most common that I see, though more and more “touch” control is becoming more common. As I say, I can’t ever recall seeing that rotating version outside of the States. One nice thing about this type of switch, though, is that they are often 3-way allowing you to have the lamp at on at different intensity levels. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/182 "2019-05-01T18:57:27Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Whether you call them closed captions, subtitles, whether they’re embedded in the original file or sent through teletexto… it doesn’t matter, the reference is the picture and not the screen. That way you don’t need to control the text with one set of parameters and the image with another. It doesn’t matter what teletext or line-21 is referenced to: you can put it anywhere you want, on any output device you want. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/183 "2019-05-01T19:04:06Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > **Tired and Cranky** speaks the truth. A clearly visible rocker switch at the base of the lamp on a table lamp, or high enough that you don’t have to bend over to reach it on a floor lamp is the best lamp switch type. I disagree. The kind where you clap it on and clap it off is the best kind. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/184 "2019-05-01T21:03:24Z")
I understand what **Novelty Bobble** means about bedside lamps and “clicky wheel” switches. I housesit for a friend sometimes. She has a rather tall lamp on her bed stand with one of those switches. When I go to bed, I like to read or peruse Instagram for a bit. In the process, I get all nice and warm and comfy. Then, when I want to go to sleep, I have to turn and hoist myself on one elbow and then reach waaay up in order to get to the switch. Then I have to get comfy all over again. Even if it were a standard height bed lamp, it would still be a stretch. My current bed lamp has an inline switch. I have it hanging to the side of my bed stand. Sure, the cord takes up some real estate on the table top, but I’m willing to sacrifice that for the sake of a minimum of movement when I’m ready to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/185 "2019-05-02T11:45:24Z")
I solved the bedside lamp problem with a combination of Insteon switch, Hue bulbs, a Mac mini server, and “hey, Siri!” This is probably overkill for most people, though. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/186 "2019-05-03T16:47:57Z")
OK, I discovered another one today. I was digging in my 2016 Ford Escape’s center console to find some change, and I noticed that some pennies had fallen into the open cigarette lighter socket. The socket is positioned so that it faces up, and the diameter is perfect to fit a penny. I’m going to have to get some sticky tape to remove the change, and remember to put a plug into the socket to keep this from happening again. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/187 "2019-05-03T19:18:11Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Pretty sure you mean something [like this?](https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/85943/SOCK-90421.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDEr51W3nJdt0tYzw3RC6gBZpa0gaBPJwHp5bt2oykUyeTmk9lGoSEkaAjF8EALw_wcB) > [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > That’s the fella… I thought you were talking about the in-line, on the cord, rotating wheel switch, which sometimes is also within the lamp shade. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/188 "2019-05-03T20:28:09Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > According to long-distance research conducted by Dr. Bart Simpson of the International Drainage Commission, the water flows clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. > > [https://youtu.be/I0sZOQjHqGg](https://youtu.be/I0sZOQjHqGg) This was the first Simpsons reference I thought of… [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BdDdeS997hM/hqdefault.jpg "Homer Simpson meets US Marine") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdDdeS997hM&t=38) ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/189 "2019-05-04T19:30:26Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > OK, I discovered another one today. > > I was digging in my 2016 Ford Escape’s center console to find some change, and I noticed that some pennies had fallen into the open cigarette lighter socket. The socket is positioned so that it faces up, and the diameter is perfect to fit a penny. I’m going to have to get some sticky tape to remove the change, and remember to put a plug into the socket to keep this from happening again. I’m surprised you didn’t have electrical-type excitement: sparks or a blown fuse. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/190 "2019-05-04T19:42:35Z")
[You’re all sitting on the toilet the wrong way.](https://i.imgflip.com/1il2i8.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/191 "2019-05-04T21:04:11Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I’m surprised you didn’t have electrical-type excitement: sparks or a blown fuse. :eek: Yeah, me too! But, when I pulled all the pennies out (there were three), I found that the center contact is slightly recessed. Luckily. ETA: I decided that the socket is perfect for holding my lip balm. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/192 "2019-05-04T22:09:52Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > They work great when full but at half there’s no pressure to eject the mayo stuck at the sides and bottom. > > They should consider more of a toothpaste tube design. Europa is [on it](https://www.worldwideholland.com/images/productimages/big/van-wijngaarden-zaanse-mayonaise-tube.JPG). Why are we (USA) so slow to adopt sensible designs and sensible ideas in general (_cough_healthcare_cough_)? PS: I haven’t read the whole thread yet so maybe one of our European Dopers already posted something similar. It’s very difficult for me to hold an idea in my head until I’ve read an entire thread. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/193 "2019-05-04T22:33:29Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Considering the modern, absolute phobia about germs, I would think most right-handed folks love that they normally flush with their left hand, so their dominant hand has one less thing to touch in the bathroom. Yes. I think that’s applicable. It’s like how in some cultures people are taught early on to use only their right hand for certain things (e.g. eating) and their left hand for a set of other things (e.g. wiping after defecation and flushing). ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/194 "2019-05-04T23:13:07Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I’m surprised you didn’t have electrical-type excitement: sparks or a blown fuse. :eek: You mean blowenfusen und spitzensparken? 😛 > **[Blinkenlights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinkenlights)** > > Blinkenlights is a neologism for diagnostic lights usually on the front panels of old mainframe computers, minicomputers, many early microcomputers, and modern network hardware. It has been seen as a skeuomorph on many modern office machines, most notably on photocopiers. > The term has its origins in hacker humor and is taken from a famous (often blackletter-Gothic) mock warning sign written in a mangled form of German. Variants of the sign were relatively common in computer rooms in English-s... ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/195 "2019-05-05T00:14:13Z")
> [@MarvinKitFox](#): > > NOT for right-handed, that image of toilet you are linking is the one SPECIFICALLY ALTERED FOR LEFTIES! > > The vast majority toilets have the flush either as a depress button in the middle top, or AS A LEVER ON THE RIGHT side. Not if you sit facing the wall! 😃 Edit: Awww…see cohane bit me to it! So, a question. Did anyone else do this when they were a kid to prevent falling in? And yes, I did fall in a few times and kept up the habit until I was way too old! ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/196 "2019-05-05T00:43:24Z")
seat belt retractors will work for a year or so and then they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/197 "2019-05-05T00:52:57Z")
Your car’s turn signals will continue to flash after you’ve completed your turn, but will shut off if you make a 1/8" correction with your steering wheel while turning. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/198 "2019-05-05T02:00:06Z")
I guess I’m the only one who flushes by standing to the side of the toilet, so my right arm doesn’t cross anything? I mean, sure, that’s not possible in restrooms stalls, but most I’ve seen are automated now, so that’s not a problem. Though, yes, back then, I used my left hand, without even thinking about it. It’s no different than automatically using my left hand when my right hand is holding something. I only need my right hand for fine motor tasks. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/199 "2019-05-05T03:20:56Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Not if you sit facing the wall! 😃 > > Edit: Awww…see cohane bit me to it! > > So, a question. Did anyone else do this when they were a kid to prevent falling in? And yes, I did fall in a few times and kept up the habit until I was way too old! And besides, you have that nice little shelf in front of you to set your comic books and chocolate milk on. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358/200 "2019-05-05T15:57:57Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > One thing I cannot understand is automobile designers. Do they all live on the Equator, in a tropical climate? > > Where I live, we get winter; real winter. When it is -20C (below 0F), and you’re bundled up in a parka, and you’re wearing thick gloves–why are the “seat belt release” buttons so tiny? You cannot get them to disengage while wearing a parka and gloves–you have to, at the very least, take the gloves off, and touch the very cold release button with bare hands. Then, once outside the car, try hitting the “Lock” button on the key fob while wearing winter gloves. The folks who came up with these obviously never lived in a cold climate. > > Not to mention the “Ice possible, drive with care” message that appears on the dashboard, when the temperature dips below freezing. Gee, it’s -20C, do you really think ice is _possible_? No, it’s more of a _certainty_. I wish I could get rid of that stupid message. And why do they put the antenna in such a spot that it it in the way when you need to scrape the ice off the windshield? Isn’t there somewhere - _anywhere_ - else on the car they could put it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-designs-in-everyday-life/832358.md?page=11)