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Dieter Rams, the godfather of industrial design, defined ‘good design’ as making the product useful, understandable, innovative, aesthetic, unobtrusive, honest, and long-lasting. But that’s not even close to being all! It also has to be thorough to the last detail, environmentally friendly, and involve as little design as possible. Over time, these ten principles have become the blueprint for design, inspiring many creators worldwide. 

However, not all stick to such guidelines, producing many various design failures, which this successful subreddit takes pride in collecting. We, at Bored Panda, have published quite a few articles reviewing them, and today we are treating you to a list of some of the best, or perhaps worst ones, that make people scratch their heads from confusion. To find them, all you have to do is scroll down.

While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with lead industrial designer Elodie Delassus, who told us what good design means to her.

#1

This Captain Of The Submarine In My English Book

This Captain Of The Submarine In My English Book

reddit.com Report

"Good design to me is both people- and planet-centric," said lead industrial designer Elodie Delassus to Bored Panda. "As designers, we understand the user needs, their aspirations, the context, and the use requirements to bring to life a meaningful product that people will love having in their lives."

She adds that it's not only about the people but also the planet, as designers' responsibility is to understand the lifecycle of the product they create. Picking the right material and manufacturing techniques allows them to have a conscious impact on our world. "A good design, to me, is not only making sense in use and aesthetics, it is also a sustainable product in the long run."

On the other hand, a bad one "doesn't take into account the above, is often flawed, and has a short life in actual use. A bad design breaks easily, gets out of trend, and ignores the user's needs or context," says Delassus.


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#2

Spoiler

Spoiler

reddit.com Report

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One of the most common mistakes Delassus notices in bad design is the poor choice of materials, like a product blending two different plastics. A toothbrush with hard plastic and a soft silicone overmold is a great example of this.

"This might look attractive, BUT it makes the plastic or product unrecyclable," she explained. "You can also think about products that mix organic material with plastics. It basically makes the plastic unrecyclable, and the product will end up in landfills or incineration."

Another aspect that creators overlook is the long-term appeal of the product. Designers should produce a product that is easy to maintain and clean (reducing any nooks and crannies), which also adds to its longevity. "One example could be a product using soft-touch paint - very desirable at first but becomes sticky over time, especially in humid and hot environments," said Delassus.

In addition, bad design adds unnecessary and unjustified complexity. "The design of a product is the voiceover that talks about what the product can do, guides how it can be used, etc. Design that doesn't guide its users ends up being confusing," explains the industrial designer.

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#4

This Amazing Pregnancy Test

This Amazing Pregnancy Test

Explodinator580 Report

Moreover, bad design choices ignore the context of use. One example is a fan with a bright LED that can't be turned off when the fan is working. Users may be placing it in their bedroom and be disturbed by the light at night.

The last feature of a poorly designed product that Delassus mentions is exclusivity. "We usually design for the 50th percentile. However, the golden standard in design should be inclusive.

The best designs often start with an extreme user/context and have benefits to the broader community (it is called the curb-cut effect). Good design provides enough space between buttons, good ergonomics, and visibility."

#5

Being Gay Was A Sin They Said

Being Gay Was A Sin They Said

TKZoroSantoryu Report

Dieter Rams, a German industrial designer known for his less but better approach to design, outlined the characteristics of good design so creators know what is expected of them. He had immense influence in this field and helped to shape how products in the 20th and early 21st centuries looked and worked. Alarm clocks, toothbrushes, and coffeemakers are just a few of his hallmarks. 

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In the late 1970s, Rams tried to figure out the world around him, asking himself the important question, “Is my design good design?” The answer led him to his ten principles, which we’re going to discuss more below.

#6

A Scene From An Indian TV Show

A Scene From An Indian TV Show

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First, a designer should always strive for innovation. The world is constantly progressing, and new technologies are offering plenty of opportunities for novel and inventive ideas. Therefore, design has to keep up by taking these creative ideas and turning them into useful solutions to modern problems. 

Innovation in design can take many forms. It can involve new materials or technologies, rethinking traditional ways of designing, or finding fresh solutions to impractical issues. By embracing innovation, creators can come up with products that aren’t only functional but also sustainable and cost-effective.

#7

These Pull Tabs That Never Come Off

These Pull Tabs That Never Come Off

willyism Report

#8

Smh

Smh

mreynolds1023 Report

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#9

I Didn’t Qualify For This Paid Survey After Selecting “No”

I Didn’t Qualify For This Paid Survey After Selecting “No”

bunnyxjam Report

Even in the 1970s, Rams was concerned with the environment, waste, and consumer culture. In his 1976 speech, he said, “I imagine our current situation will cause future generations to shudder at the thoughtlessness in the way in which we today fill our homes, our cities, and our landscape with a chaos of assorted junk.”

#10

Tunashamed

Tunashamed

the_blueprint Report

#11

When Your Security Gate Is A Ladder

When Your Security Gate Is A Ladder

pcjcusaa1636 Report

#12

Unfortunate Dog Placement

Unfortunate Dog Placement

reddit.com Report

With fewer and fewer natural resources, he believes that both buyers and designers should take responsibility for the state our world is in. He calls for an end to wastefulness and continues to advocate sustainable and innovative creations. 

#13

The Pockets On Women's Trousers

The Pockets On Women's Trousers

Iwantmyteslanow Report

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#14

This Clothing Display

This Clothing Display

Agent_Orange7 Report

#15

The Elders At My Brother-In-Law’s Church Got To Design The Church League Softball Shirts. The Thought “Cli” (Christian Life International) Alone Wouldn’t Signify A Church, So They Added The Cross. Magnificent

The Elders At My Brother-In-Law’s Church Got To Design The Church League Softball Shirts. The Thought “Cli” (Christian Life International) Alone Wouldn’t Signify A Church, So They Added The Cross. Magnificent

Iamabonermachine Report

It's self-explanatory that the main reason people buy a product is so they can use it. That’s why design shouldn’t detract from its usefulness either. However, an item that is considered useful to one may be entirely useless to others, so the specific criteria that determine this remain difficult to define.

#16

I Think I Know Why

I Think I Know Why

TherRealMemeDemon Report

#17

Sign At A Local Beach

Sign At A Local Beach

joefife Report

#18

This Ad Placement

This Ad Placement

MyNameGifOreilly Report

Something that makes buyers use the item more is if it’s aesthetically pleasing. When we don’t enjoy the look of it, we are less likely to pick it up.

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Without a doubt, it should also be easy to utilize without any details interfering with the user's experience. By saying that design should be unobtrusive, Rams is emphasizing the importance of simplicity and usability. Choosing a classic design that never looks outdated also prevents more products from ending up in landfills.

#19

Pretty Sure He's Using It Wrong

Pretty Sure He's Using It Wrong

AdamBarnhouse Report

#20

Just Why

Just Why

ComunistCow Report

#21

To Motivate

To Motivate

The_King_In_TheNorth Report

Finally, the product should be honest with its consumers, meaning that a person shouldn’t feel disappointed when an item doesn’t work as well as they hoped. So the design should be as innovative, powerful, or valuable as it claims to be. According to Rams, products should be reliable, durable and allow people to use them as they were intended to be used.

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#22

Professor, I Can't Get These Audio Files In Our Textbook To Play

Professor, I Can't Get These Audio Files In Our Textbook To Play

reddit.com Report

#23

Love Handles

Love Handles

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#24

Oh Boy, There's Platypus Period In My Tea!

Oh Boy, There's Platypus Period In My Tea!

Solero93 Report

In a nutshell, the best design won’t require extra explaining to its users, who will very much appreciate how simple yet thoughtful creations understand the people they are designed for. Jared Spool, the American writer, researcher, and usability expert, put it best, “Good design, when it’s done well, becomes invisible. It’s only when it’s done poorly that we notice it.”

#25

Noted

Noted

jhoang0730 Report

#26

We Are The Borg. Resistance Is Futile

We Are The Borg. Resistance Is Futile

Oceanus5000 Report

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#27

This Kid Mannequin

This Kid Mannequin

Cnmbnmya Report

#28

So, It's Fine Then?

So, It's Fine Then?

juanjoli Report

#29

It's A Trap!

It's A Trap!

RiffRaff161 Report

#30

My Company Wanted To Make Our Fountain Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness. Didn't.... Quite Get It Right

My Company Wanted To Make Our Fountain Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness. Didn't.... Quite Get It Right

BoeJenjamin Report

#31

We All Party Down Here

We All Party Down Here

Tucko29 Report

#32

Idk I'm European

Idk I'm European

reddit.com Report

#33

My Four-Legged Duck

My Four-Legged Duck

imgur Report

#34

Commas People

Commas People

TardyFriend3 Report

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#35

Rose Uh ?

Rose Uh ?

Fauconwill Report

#36

This Bus

This Bus

reddit.com Report

#37

A Nail Or A Screw

A Nail Or A Screw

irrelevantthroww Report

#38

Ho Ho-No

Ho Ho-No

reddit.com Report

#39

Nothing Like The Smell Of Coffee And A Good Eye-Stab In The Morning

Nothing Like The Smell Of Coffee And A Good Eye-Stab In The Morning

CosmeBuzzanito Report

#40

This Ad For Graduation Photography

This Ad For Graduation Photography

box_cardinal_peanut Report

#41

The Clock Hands Don’t Glow

The Clock Hands Don’t Glow

Bl0rgasmorg Report

#42

Toilets And Mirror Ceiling

Toilets And Mirror Ceiling

zorton213 Report

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#43

When Life Gives You Lemons

When Life Gives You Lemons

mbz321 Report

#44

I Bought A Billboard To Promote My Business And They Screwed Up The Formatting

I Bought A Billboard To Promote My Business And They Screwed Up The Formatting

bencahn Report

#45

Our Municiplaity Made Bike Lanes For Us Finally!

Our Municiplaity Made Bike Lanes For Us Finally!

sarsina Report

#46

Proofreading This Book Couldn't Have Been That Hard

Proofreading This Book Couldn't Have Been That Hard

UltraLaser23 Report

#47

Step 4: Just Go Sit In Some Other Chair

Step 4: Just Go Sit In Some Other Chair

wvWvvvWvw Report

#48

Crystal Furniture Set That Looks Like Raw Meat

Crystal Furniture Set That Looks Like Raw Meat

GautamXo Report

#49

This Unfortunately Designed Kid's Balloon

This Unfortunately Designed Kid's Balloon

ViolentThespian Report

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Jack Burton
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can totally figure my wife coming back from work and finding me red faced with this inflatable robot c**k in my mouth with my daughter cheering of excitement.

Five Years
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This must have been designed on purpose by some twisted f...k. Laughing all the way to the packaging department.

AnkleByter
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is most definitely deliberate, but if you ask, they'll all say "it's the only practical way to do it", lol. Most character balloons have these and it cracks me tf up. I worked in a store that sold balloons like this in high school, I am no less mature now than I was then about it (to be fair, neither were the customers when they saw me inflate them, lol).

Load More Replies...
Samsquatch & Monko
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I saw a dinosaur ballon like this. “Dinosaur gender reveal!!!”

David
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am reminded of the Pikachu's vagina meme. (for those who never saw it - giant inflatable pikachu bouncy house with the entrance in an unfortunate location)

Hippopotamuses
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It wouldn't be so bad if it was just the valve. Adding the... Ahem, shaft, really is the icing on the cake!

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#50

Diapers For Mutant Baby

Diapers For Mutant Baby

XinXaiXoku Report

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#51

This Catholic School Logo

This Catholic School Logo

Jaggyjags Report

#52

The Placement Of This Baby's Head Wasn't Quite Thought Through

The Placement Of This Baby's Head Wasn't Quite Thought Through

ninimalini Report

#53

Tell Your Wedding Guests To Die

Tell Your Wedding Guests To Die

reddit.com Report

#54

Winnie

Winnie

pheromonekvlt Report

#55

This Sign At The Akron Zoo That Looks Like A Man Peeing In His Own Face

This Sign At The Akron Zoo That Looks Like A Man Peeing In His Own Face

-Error-UserNotFound Report

#56

This Kid Friendly Hand Sanitizer Package. Looks Like One Of Those Apple Sauce Things, No?

This Kid Friendly Hand Sanitizer Package. Looks Like One Of Those Apple Sauce Things, No?

dank_memed Report

#57

One Armed Mother And A Demon Child

One Armed Mother And A Demon Child

pieterpiraat Report

#58

Pulling Tissues From This Box Feels... Uncomfortable

Pulling Tissues From This Box Feels... Uncomfortable

Teapotfox Report

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#59

Take My Honey

Take My Honey

mrq33 Report

#60

A New Park Opened In My City, Pretty Lovely, And This. Buttcleaner3000

A New Park Opened In My City, Pretty Lovely, And This. Buttcleaner3000

XmeDavid Report

#61

Honey, You Really Shouldn't Have

Honey, You Really Shouldn't Have

anlyin Report

#62

Best Cat Carrier To Contain Your Sexy Cat

Best Cat Carrier To Contain Your Sexy Cat

moos_in_space Report

#63

I'm Just Gonna Let The Fire Consume Me

I'm Just Gonna Let The Fire Consume Me

veethis Report

#64

This Flower Print Dress

This Flower Print Dress

666 Report

#65

This Elevator

This Elevator

Xadacka Report

#66

I Can't Even

I Can't Even

reddit.com Report

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#67

People Wearing Face Masks Looking Like Monsters

People Wearing Face Masks Looking Like Monsters

A_Random_Guy_Here Report

#68

This Bath Bomb's Final Color

This Bath Bomb's Final Color

reddit.com Report

#69

Vicious Incest?!

Vicious Incest?!

thedirtyjackal Report

#70

For When You Want A Near Death Experience Every Time You Use The Stairs

For When You Want A Near Death Experience Every Time You Use The Stairs

Peeped Report

#71

Closer Than You Think

Closer Than You Think

handofskadi Report

#72

Unfortunate Hole Placement

Unfortunate Hole Placement

Noah_ebb Report

#73

I Don't Know If This Fits Here, But Do Not Leave Children Unattended At Whole Foods

I Don't Know If This Fits Here, But Do Not Leave Children Unattended At Whole Foods

howaboutthatgod Report

#74

Forever 21 Does Not Know How To Use Photoshop Or What Women Actually Look Like

Forever 21 Does Not Know How To Use Photoshop Or What Women Actually Look Like

add217 Report

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#75

That's Not How It Works

That's Not How It Works

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#76

I Needed Red. Guess Which One I Grabbed At First

I Needed Red. Guess Which One I Grabbed At First

bennythomson Report

#77

My High School Commissioned A Bulldog Statue! This Is The Result

My High School Commissioned A Bulldog Statue! This Is The Result

cutzngutz Report

#78

Architect: So How Many Windows We Thinking? Client: Yes

Architect: So How Many Windows We Thinking? Client: Yes

Any-Classic-5733 Report

#79

How Much Do You Trust Your "Multilingual" Ad Designer?

How Much Do You Trust Your "Multilingual" Ad Designer?

badon_ Report

#80

Parking Fee Just Gotten Real

Parking Fee Just Gotten Real

KiKenTai Report

#81

Put Barbed Wire Across The Top Of The Gate. We Don't Want Anyone Climbing Over It

Put Barbed Wire Across The Top Of The Gate. We Don't Want Anyone Climbing Over It

iiooiooi Report

#82

They Stopped Construction On The New Burger King In My Hometown Because The Building Is Backwards. They Put A Whole Building Up Backwards!

They Stopped Construction On The New Burger King In My Hometown Because The Building Is Backwards. They Put A Whole Building Up Backwards!

NutAllergy21 Report

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#83

Dial 999 For...oh

Dial 999 For...oh

PM_Me_Grecian_Urns Report

#84

Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

Was Worried About Privacy, So I Asked If They Could Put A Door Up To The Men's Change Room. Problem Solved

YonoJ Report

#85

A Bag Of Apples With A Character On It That Got Poisoned By An Apple

A Bag Of Apples With A Character On It That Got Poisoned By An Apple

Red_Rolo09 Report

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#86

Hey High School Bulldog, Meet My High School Wildcat

Hey High School Bulldog, Meet My High School Wildcat

sexycerebrum Report

#87

This Isn't Even My Final Form

This Isn't Even My Final Form

NationalOrganizationOfMenAgainstAmazonianMasterhood Report

#88

Stay Home!

Stay Home!

Old-Blighty Report

#89

My Son Just Asked Me Why This Lady Is Reading Poop Magazine. I'm So Proud

My Son Just Asked Me Why This Lady Is Reading Poop Magazine. I'm So Proud

PantsOfSteel Report

#90

I’m Pretty Sure That’s Not How You’re Supposed To Hold A Scythe

I’m Pretty Sure That’s Not How You’re Supposed To Hold A Scythe

redsignals Report

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#91

Striped Carpet On Hotel Stairs. Hard To Use Even After Two Weeks And Completly Sober

Striped Carpet On Hotel Stairs. Hard To Use Even After Two Weeks And Completly Sober

OilCareful8232 Report

#92

Correct Punctuation Is A Must!

Correct Punctuation Is A Must!

reddit.com Report

#93

I Think They Forgot To Photoshop The Other B**b

I Think They Forgot To Photoshop The Other B**b

youfound404 Report

#94

Don’t Wake Anybody Up If You’re Exiting The Motel During A Fire!

Don’t Wake Anybody Up If You’re Exiting The Motel During A Fire!

Coffee4MySoul Report

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#95

Sub-Par ATM Placement. Way Sub-Par

Sub-Par ATM Placement. Way Sub-Par

d3yv3l Report

#96

Gas Station In Nebraska. The Station's Color Scheme Was Red. They Tried To Get Artsy

Gas Station In Nebraska. The Station's Color Scheme Was Red. They Tried To Get Artsy

aspiecat7 Report

#97

Why Is Clear A Green Button While Enter Is Yellow? I Kept Accidentally Clearing My Pin

Why Is Clear A Green Button While Enter Is Yellow? I Kept Accidentally Clearing My Pin

veeveemarie Report

#98

My Arms Are About 7 Feet Long, So This Wasn't An Issue For Me

My Arms Are About 7 Feet Long, So This Wasn't An Issue For Me

Tekki Report

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#99

Probably It's More Convenient

Probably It's More Convenient

Bobik42 Report

#100

Be Positive?

Be Positive?

whynotfart Report

#101

Natural Beauty - Four Pairs Of Legs For Three Enourmous Torsos

Natural Beauty - Four Pairs Of Legs For Three Enourmous Torsos

JnK85 Report

#102

Attention

Attention

boobooob Report

#103

The 'Bathroom' In My Airbnb Will 100% Result In Shi**y Encounters With The Host

The 'Bathroom' In My Airbnb Will 100% Result In Shi**y Encounters With The Host

TheInBredDragon Report

#104

Perfect Design

Perfect Design

ivan_zykov Report

#105

That's Gonna Be An Easy Ride

That's Gonna Be An Easy Ride

The_unchosen-one Report

#106

We Cut Kids

We Cut Kids

aTerrariaExpert Report

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#107

They Just Don't Go Together

They Just Don't Go Together

terbiun Report

#108

Very Long Message Warning (While Driving) Not To Take Your Eyes Off The Road For Too Long

Very Long Message Warning (While Driving) Not To Take Your Eyes Off The Road For Too Long

J4CKR4BB1TSL1MS Report

#109

Urban Planning

Urban Planning

LeyendaV Report

#110

This Clock Store In Benghazi, Libya

This Clock Store In Benghazi, Libya

whysofew Report

#111

Wow! What A Bargain!

Wow! What A Bargain!

DjFizz Report

#112

Because I Can See Through Stainless Steel

Because I Can See Through Stainless Steel

yourightimwrong Report

#113

I Was Having A Good Day Until I Went To The Supermarket

I Was Having A Good Day Until I Went To The Supermarket

-The-Goat Report

#114

Where’s The 0?

Where’s The 0?

AlbertSPedersen Report

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#115

The Circle Of Life

The Circle Of Life

LogicLost Report

#116

Almost Broke My Leg

Almost Broke My Leg

Landash Report

#117

This Graph

This Graph

m4uro2 Report

#118

Plant Dyed Underwear On Etsy

Plant Dyed Underwear On Etsy

Glycine_max Report

#119

Lex? Sex? Derp? Lox? Nope, It's Supposed To Say Jax For Jacksonville, Florida For $18 Million Dollars

Lex? Sex? Derp? Lox? Nope, It's Supposed To Say Jax For Jacksonville, Florida For $18 Million Dollars

baltinerdist Report

#120

A-Maza-Ing - Design

A-Maza-Ing - Design

Report

#121

"We Need To Decorate The Toilet For The Disabled." "Say No More"

"We Need To Decorate The Toilet For The Disabled." "Say No More"

WiggelingOversnipe Report

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#122

Put Barbecue Sauce Inside For Extra Confusion

Put Barbecue Sauce Inside For Extra Confusion

stanfiction Report

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#123

Black One Is Salt, White One Pepper

Black One Is Salt, White One Pepper

SirLCF Report

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#124

It Almost Seems Intentional

It Almost Seems Intentional

Palifaith Report

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#125

What Animal Is That?

What Animal Is That?

seppukupenguin Report

#126

The New School In My Community Has A Wheel Chair Access Button For The Door, But No Way For A Person In A Wheel Chair To Reach It

The New School In My Community Has A Wheel Chair Access Button For The Door, But No Way For A Person In A Wheel Chair To Reach It

crimxie Report

#127

Sometimes It's Okay To Judge A Book By Its Cover

Sometimes It's Okay To Judge A Book By Its Cover

jaapgrolleman Report

#128

I See Your "Use Before: Made In China" And Raise You "Warning - Made In China"

I See Your "Use Before: Made In China" And Raise You "Warning - Made In China"

baklavainabalaclava Report

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#129

I've Been Conditioned To Recognize This As "Do Not"

I've Been Conditioned To Recognize This As "Do Not"

CaptAwesome5 Report

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#130

These New Public Trash Cans In The Us City I Live In (Binghamton, NY) That Definitely Won't Confuse Older Folks Trying To Send Mail

These New Public Trash Cans In The Us City I Live In (Binghamton, NY) That Definitely Won't Confuse Older Folks Trying To Send Mail

AfterDINNERMinge Report

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#131

This Bench. Where I Live It Is Very Hot And It Is Impossible To Sit In This Park

This Bench. Where I Live It Is Very Hot And It Is Impossible To Sit In This Park

RocketSmash9000 Report

#132

Mate, I Don't Think That's A Seagull

Mate, I Don't Think That's A Seagull

SparkOfFire_ Report