# Things done to products to meet public expectations **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089 "2011-06-02T15:34:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/41 "2011-06-03T07:32:36Z")
Very interesting replies! I thought food coloring would play a part, but I had no idea how much. Come to think of it: -eggs are expected to be brown/white in different countries, but not sure what they do to make the eggs change color -same for egg yolk, a darker yolk is preferred -salmon is fed food to change its meat color: “Farm-raised salmon are fed the carotenoids astaxanthin and canthaxanthin to match their flesh color to wild salmon.” Speaking of weights added to telephone handsets, I found out one of my computer mice had a weight too (it was a cheap mouse, not one with customizable weight). I wonder what metal they use, it’s yellowish and shiny, instead of grey like normal steel? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/42 "2011-06-03T08:28:04Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Very interesting replies! I thought food coloring would play a part, but I had no idea how much. Come to think of it: > -eggs are expected to be brown/white in different countries, but not sure what they do to make the eggs change color > -same for egg yolk, a darker yolk is preferred > -salmon is fed food to change its meat color: “Farm-raised salmon are fed the carotenoids astaxanthin and canthaxanthin to match their flesh color to wild salmon.” > > Speaking of weights added to telephone handsets, I found out one of my computer mice had a weight too (it was a cheap mouse, not one with customizable weight). I wonder what metal they use, it’s yellowish and shiny, instead of grey like normal steel? They have different breeds of chicken that lay white and brown eggs. [The Master speaks =)](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2103/whats-the-difference-between-white-eggs-and-brown-eggs) I have some [arucanas](http://www.kerrlake.com/chickens/) that lay blue and green eggs. Also, some breeds of chickens lay tiny eggs, I used to have some bantams that laid what would be sold as ‘small’ and I had a couple ladies that regularly laid extra large eggs, they were Rhode Island Reds. More than once I would get immense goose egg sized double youlked eggs from them. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/43 "2011-06-03T08:58:46Z")
> [@jk1245](#): > > Margarine is white as a finished product, the butter color is added to make it seem more like the butter it is replacing. > > This led to a near holy war between the dairy and margarine interests within the US and Canada from the late 1800s to as late as the 1960’s with margarine being outright banned in Canada until after WW2. It also made for some amusing [cross-state entrepreneurism](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hta3SdhLMfg/SeJwTqYOCWI/AAAAAAAABhQ/-h9oWtfs31Q/s320/Shenandoah+Bike+Tour+125.JPG) . Even worse, several states, probably in the pocket of butter producers, enacted laws requiring margarine manufacturers to dye their product pink to make it look unpalatable. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_of\_Lucan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@Michael\_of\_Lucan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_of_Lucan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/44 "2011-06-03T09:04:22Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > In Australia, Cheddar cheese is always pale yellow, more or less the same colour as other common hard cheeses. It’s been that way as long as I can remember. I’ve always assumed orange Cheddar was strictly an American thing, but Cecil’s column suggests it started in England. > > So which is the odd one out? Yellow or orange? When I was a kid, Irish-made cheddar was bright orange. Today, it is unusual to see orange cheddar, and most of the Irish brands are pale yellow. We have two brands of cheddar in the house now. One is pale yellow. The other is an orange colour, but it is branded “red cheddar”. It implies that Irish people now expect the standard cheddar to be pale yellow. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/45 "2011-06-03T11:07:43Z")
Commercial airplanes would probably be safer [if the seats faced the rear of the airplane](http://www.airspacemag.com/need-to-know/Need-to-Know-Aft-Facing-Seats.html) (except for the pilots!). ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/46 "2011-06-03T12:12:10Z")
> [@Oldeb](#): > > The “click” noise for touchscreens was added because people were used to hearing the click of the keys on a keyboard and didn’t think the touchscreens were working. This one seems to be fading out as people get more used to them. Similarly, Atari’s 8-bit computers from 1979-1992 output clicking noises through the TV speaker when typing on the keyboard. It was particularly necessary on the Atari 400, which had a membrane keyboard, but it persisted through the XL and XE series, which had full-stroke keyboards. (IME the keyboards were mushy, and the clicking noise was helpful.) ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/47 "2011-06-03T12:41:25Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > -eggs are expected to be brown/white in different countries, but not sure what they do to make the eggs change color Breed of hen. > [@](#): > > I wonder what metal they use, it’s yellowish and shiny, instead of grey like normal steel? Brass? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/48 "2011-06-03T14:45:33Z")
[QUOTE=AaronX] Speaking of weights added to telephone handsets, I found out one of my computer mice had a weight too (it was a cheap mouse, not one with customizable weight). I wonder what metal they use, it’s yellowish and shiny, instead of grey like normal steel? [/QUOTE] Probably just [yellow zinc plating](http://parshun.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008830539907/LargeImage/Galvanize-Yellow-Zinc/product_id-1036325862/action-GetProduct.htm) so the thing doesn’t rust. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/49 "2011-06-03T15:03:05Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The exhaust system of a modern car could be made to be almost silent. For sedate sedans it normally is. For sportier cars they design them to make a noise like the muscle cars of the 60s. > > Back then, noisy exhausts really did add performance (or said another way, back then creating a quiet exhaust sapped performance). Nowadays performance cars really could be almost silent too, but the buyers expect them to sound “powerful”. Hint guys: noise is wasted energy. It doesn’t cause power, it subtracts from power. If a car is too quiet it’s hard to know it’s there, making it more likely for clueless drivers to hit clueless pedestrians. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/50 "2011-06-03T15:10:28Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > If a car is too quiet it’s hard to know it’s there, making it more likely for clueless drivers to hit clueless pedestrians. [That was a problem talked about when the Prius came out.](http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=150) > [@](#): > > The National Federation of the Blind, an advocacy group, says all hybrid vehicles should emit a sound while turned on and is calling on the auto industry to make changes. The group says the sound should be loud enough to be heard over the din of other ambient noise. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/51 "2011-06-03T15:39:56Z")
The 's on the end of the name “Friendly’s”. It used to be “Friendly” but everyone called it “Friendly’s” and they finally gave in and changed the name. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/52 "2011-06-03T15:42:29Z")
I bought a cheap pair of bookshelf speakers in the 80’s that were quite heavy. It was common for high powered speakers to be heavy in those days as heavier, larger magnets were needed to work with the extra power fed into the speaker. These speakers though had a low power rating. I wasn’t too concerned as the speakers were priced on sale at a price that pretty much matched the power rating and they sounded good at low levels which is how I planned to use them. Years later after I got all the use out of them that I could I opened the cabinets to discover that each speaker had a brick glued to the inside bottom of the cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/53 "2011-06-03T16:09:22Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > If a car is too quiet it’s hard to know it’s there, making it more likely for clueless drivers to hit clueless pedestrians. That’s a completely separate issue to the one I was raising. But yes, you’re right that there is some public expectation that cars won’t be truly silent. So maybe eventually hybrids & electrics will emit some fake noise to meet those expectations. Even if that comes to pass, it won’t really be an example of what the OP is about, which is truly useless features to meet baseless but nonetheless real consumer expectations. Having a vehicle make some noise isn’t useless; it serves the purpose of a minor warning which experience has proven is useful in parking lots for both sighted & blind people. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/54 "2011-06-03T16:26:36Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > The 's on the end of the name “Friendly’s”. It used to be “Friendly” but everyone called it “Friendly’s” and they finally gave in and changed the name. “Brewers’ Retail” outlets in Ontario (the place to buy beer) changed their name to “The Beer Store” since that’s what everyone called them all anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/55 "2011-06-03T16:50:07Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Boxed cake and pancake mixes. > > It is entirely possible to turn milk and eggs into powder, thus cake mixes could truly be “Just add water” and be perfectly good. But consumers felt like they weren’t truly cooking the cakes, and felt a lot better about having to add milk and eggs. > > (Yes, Aunt Jemima does have a milkless/eggless mix, but it can be really hard to find.) Now that you mention it, I remember that the movie _U571_ had a reference to powdered eggs. So apparently, the technology has been available at least since WW2. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/56 "2011-06-03T16:59:04Z")
I’ve seen plastic beer bottles. I think its kind of stupid they’re not more widespread- plastic bottles are lighter, dont shatter, and can be brought into places that dont allow glass bottles (like beaches). Glass bottles mean heavy cases of beer, loudly clanking against each other, and shattered remnants (says the guy who accidentally dropped an [open!] case of beer down a flight of concrete steps outside his apartment :smack: As a bus driver, our company was given new Hybrid buses. Like the prius, these new ones are VERY quiet. I like it because the older ones had a lot of noise and vibration, and hearing it for 8-10 hours straight really wears on you. Its too bad they’ll probably have to add some noise. I am in favor of electric/hybrid vehicles making a Jetsons-esque noise 🆒 sorta like MEEEEEEEEMEMEMEMEMEMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/57 "2011-06-03T17:03:35Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The exhaust system of a modern car could be made to be almost silent. For sedate sedans it normally is. For sportier cars they design them to make a noise like the muscle cars of the 60s. > > Back then, noisy exhausts really did add performance (or said another way, back then creating a quiet exhaust sapped performance). Nowadays performance cars really could be almost silent too, but the buyers expect them to sound “powerful”. Hint guys: noise is wasted energy. It doesn’t cause power, it subtracts from power. The same amount of noise is produced by the engine, regardless of what exhaust system is on. The exhaust system dampens the noise through baffles and other design features. These features restrict the flow of air, and make it more difficult for the engine to exhaust. This does result in less power, and installing a louder, i.e. less restrictive, exhaust will increase power significantly on most cars. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/58 "2011-06-03T17:05:05Z")
The thing everyone seems to be missing with the beer bottles is that beer _tastes_ better in glass. I can’t stand the taste of beer in cans and plastic is just as bad. Maybe it’s some inane perception thing, but darnit if it isn’t real enough for me. I only drink beer out of glasses or bottles unless there is no other choice (public events). Coke tastes better in glass bottles too, but it’s very hard to find them in the US anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/59 "2011-06-03T17:05:19Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Boxed cake and pancake mixes. > > It is entirely possible to turn milk and eggs into powder, thus cake mixes could truly be “Just add water” and be perfectly good. But consumers felt like they weren’t truly cooking the cakes, and felt a lot better about having to add milk and eggs. _Perfectly_ good? Powdered milk and eggs aren’t the same. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089/60 "2011-06-03T17:12:18Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Have none of you ever been to a sports stadium in your lives? There _certainly_ is beer sold in plastic bottles. I believe this is to keep from giving drunken fans missiles that they can hurl at the players (or each other). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-done-to-products-to-meet-public-expectations/584089.md?page=4)