Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Things That Irritate

Aug 7, 2017 8:05AM PDT

This morning I reach for a paper towel. I pull on it and get half a sheet. Why you may ask? Because it's one of those hated rolls that is perforated at half sheet sizes. There should be a big warning notice on these half sheet rolls to avoid getting them by accident. Did you ever see anyone buy a roll of full sheets, bring it home, then cut it across the middle with a hack saw so they could have two rolls of half sheet sizes? NO! NEVER!! Whoever came up with the idea for half sheets of paper towels should end up having to use half sheets of toilet paper too at his home. He should be restricted to half size cups of coffee at a time. He's probably the sort of person who cuts his sandwiches in half too.

What sort of usual consumer items irritate you?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Paper towels
Aug 7, 2017 8:16AM PDT

I like the option of 1/2 sheet or a full sheet.

Often 1/2 sheet is enough for what I need.

No I don't cut my sandwiches in 1/2.

- Collapse -
the full sheets
Aug 7, 2017 8:21AM PDT

rip down the middle just fine if one wants a half sheet.

- Collapse -
Sheet
Aug 7, 2017 8:39AM PDT

The full sheets tear off just fine if you want a full sheet.

So now I have my choice 1/2 or a full sheet.

- Collapse -
the problem with half sheets
Aug 7, 2017 8:45AM PDT

Is you first have to remember someone bought the WRONG paper towels and then remember to roll past the half sheet before you begin to tear sideways, or you end up with the dreaded half sheet. About the only good thing I would use them for is to blow my nose on. They aren't even big enough to wrap around a sandwich, barely big enough to set and carry one on. I'm going to send a suggestion to Trump to have half sheet paper towels outlawed.

- Collapse -
Sheets
Aug 7, 2017 8:56AM PDT

That may be one of the few things Trump will get through congress.

- Collapse -
I doubt that
Aug 7, 2017 10:04AM PDT

because many of them probably have stock in Bounty et al Afterall, they ARE being subsidized for their Obamacare so they have to have SOMETHING to show for that extra money.

- Collapse -
Well, if NYC Mayor
Aug 7, 2017 12:06PM PDT

...can outlaw oversized sodas, I see no reason undersize paper towels can't suffer the same govt imposed fate.

- Collapse -
It's not undersized
Aug 7, 2017 12:23PM PDT

You just have the option of tearing off 1/2 or the full sheet.

If you don't want that option don't buy that type of paper towel.

- Collapse -
RE:Is you first have to remember
Aug 7, 2017 8:08PM PDT
Is you first have to remember someone bought the WRONG paper towels

It's time to tell "someone" IF it happens again...you're getting a divorce?
- Collapse -
I like the 1/2 sheet option
Aug 7, 2017 11:36AM PDT

but you MUST be willing to pay extra for a quality brand or getting a clean separation at the perforations is a chore. We use cloth towels for hand drying and paper towels for other purposes. For more absorbency, I'll put shop towels in the dispense but my wife removes them if we're having company.

- Collapse -
Great absorbency....old time diapers.....
Aug 7, 2017 1:55PM PDT

Great for washing cars and cleaning windows, too.......and reusable.......and they can be cut in HALF, James. LOL

- Collapse -
That's not a bad idea!
Aug 7, 2017 1:59PM PDT

I'll have to remember that when my grandchildren come along.

- Collapse -
Cotten towels and flannel sheets too
Aug 7, 2017 2:02PM PDT

Synthetics are useless. My mother taught us how to wash windows with Windex and old newspaper. Nothing much went to waste when we were kids. When it went into the trash, it was really trash.

- Collapse -
Another thing that irritates
Aug 7, 2017 5:34PM PDT

Product downsizing. Your bags and bottle of everyday consumables become smaller and smaller. Your one pound item is now 10.6 oz and shrinking. I understand this is done thinking consumers are stupid and think the price is the same as it's always been. I wish they'd just raise the price and let us have the same amount of product. Give consumers credit for having a brain.

- Collapse -
Toblerone? Shrinkflation.
Aug 7, 2017 6:08PM PDT
- Collapse -
Brain....no
Aug 7, 2017 7:03PM PDT

Consumers shop by price.

Once a consumer starts buying a product they continue.

The package size and price remains the same but the content shrinks.

The content is often written in fly spec so it's easy to overlook.

- Collapse -
Marketing language
Aug 8, 2017 1:42AM PDT

They'll call it "eco friendly" packaging because the smaller container takes up less space in the dump. They've learned to capitalize on the growing obsession with health and environmental causes. Thus, products which have never contained gluten are now labeled as "gluten free". You'll also see labels claiming "no added sugar" and "no added salt" to products which already have too much such stuff in it. I see this largely as the trickle down effect of governmental product regulation. Too many folks cannot think for themselves and rely on the government to tell them what's good and what's not. This thinking is the worst brain disease imaginable.

- Collapse -
Liek potato chip bags
Aug 8, 2017 3:48AM PDT

plump them up with air, half a bag of chips now, and the bag itself isn't eco friendly for a dump to boot..........Illusion is everything anymore instead of reality.

- Collapse -
RE:.Illusion is everything anymore instead of reality.
Aug 8, 2017 3:51AM PDT

They're filled with nitrogen. Oxygen would quickly turn the chips rancid. The nitrogen preserves the freshness of the chips, prevents combustion, and creates sufficient cushioning during shipping so the chips don't get crushed.

- Collapse -
Great idea
Aug 8, 2017 5:08AM PDT

There's nothing worse than buying a bag of chips, bringing it home and having it catch fire.

- Collapse -
RE:There's nothing worse than buying a bag of chips,
Aug 8, 2017 7:21AM PDT
- Collapse -
"New and Improved"
Aug 8, 2017 9:29AM PDT

Is what they always put on a product you liked and they changed it to something you no longer like.

- Collapse -
Sounds like a Dem motto/mantra....
Aug 8, 2017 12:52PM PDT

I don't care what party you are listening to, if the word "Comprehensive" comes up, check your wallet cuz it's gonna cost a lot and you're gonna end up hating it.

- Collapse -
Shop towels
Aug 10, 2017 6:11PM PDT

Sheeezzz, they went up in price big time. Plus, it seems some brands aren't what they used to be in toughness or similar. Plus, the towel count has gone down. Ahhhh -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Have you bought any house paint lately?
Aug 11, 2017 2:11AM PDT

The price has not only gone up by a staggering amount but a gallon of paint is no longer a full gallon either. It's been downsized like everything else. As well, painter's masking tape is insanely priced. As for shop towels, I generally buy these by the case and haven't looked lately. Your post makes me not want to. Happy

- Collapse -
not a consumer item
Aug 17, 2017 1:57AM PDT

not a consumer item, but still irritates "Waiting a new episode of GOT season 7 every week!"