h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have 2 annoyances, but which one first.....choices

I bought bluetooth thingy for my pc, but the "blister" packaging was a challenge, which took me at least one hour to open and painful fingers since saterday. the plastic was as sharp as ninja trowstars. I could have lost fingers. since I have only 7 fingers not good thing.

I e-mailed the company, but response was not very consumer friendly in my eyes. I e-mailed again not very nice answer in my opinion. all standard answers. I will never buy "blister" packaging again!

it would be good id there was law against this kind of packaging. may be there is?

now the other annoyance...
neighbours of mine let their "mini" poodle pee (yuk) on their balcony while the temperature is below / around 0C. they leave their pooch out for 20 to 45. minutes. last night it was 3C and raining I went up stairs to say something about it.

bit later he came down with angry face telling me to mind my own business. if was I standing lower he would have come into my house, I think. he is smaller and was standing lower.

why do I get involved with pooch thingy? may be because same people bought 2 squirrels last spring I did not do anything.

I needed to release that!
thank you for reading!

BBlister packages are a pain, so are many twist-off glasses. Why don't you ask the shop assistants to open it for you next time ? We even slice the bread for our customers, bind their shoes, open twist-off glasses ,etc.

that is an idea, but then I am walking around unpackaged product. I read that Dutch student improved it. made mire costumer friendly.

I must say that I sometimes get cds in plastic, but can not find loose part to open it!

I am starting to be grumpy old man

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/g/grumpyoldmen_999031010.shtml

pheloxi....an obvious point perhaps...but are you able to use scissors?

J

I know these blister packages, no scissors will help you there. I still think the best is to ask the staff for help, they don't need to remove the item from the package, but just open it.

If you make a number of small vertical cuts across the package, then cut horizontally across each section...repeating the process deeper if necessary?

I agree yours is the best solution Bel, but I'm trying to think of an alternative as pheloxi didn't sound too thrilled.

I'm only a little animal, and I'm only trying to help

J

Perhaps you could share your staff technique which pheloxi might be able to adapt for himself?

J

That's a good idea, if he can still hold a pair of scissors. Maybe a sharp, pointed knife would do the trick, too? I guess the problem is that he'd need both hands for what you suggest, and with only seven fingers in total, that could be very difficult and dangerous. I mean, I cut myself and I have all my fingers

I can handle a scissors, but you realy need steel cutters!

B'ELanna, I realy like the unpacking myself, because was always a part of the fun.

I bought 2 new covers* for my couch. luck me there was only piece of paper around it! (from Euro 16.95 for only Euro 5.00).

* actualy 2 fleece pic nic blankets

I am not knive person.

warning scary story follows!

I did warn you!

I nearly cut off my part of finger twice with stanley knive cutting plastic foam.

Well, in that case, I guess Jaster's advice does come in handy

Garden shears might do the job, especially with the small cuts technique. But living in a flat, I don't suppose you have any.

J

may be telling shop personal and not buying blister packing could be answer!

I believe in consumer power!

I have a garden, but my fingers are as green as the sky is clean!

Garden shears, then? Also, tell staff as you suggest or take up Bel's suggestion?

J

In the matter of the dog, ignore it if you can, tell Public Health if you can't. Are you sure the anger with him upstairs wasn't anger transferred from your frustration with the package?

If you can manage garden shears, of course.

J

Or, if they are being cruel to the dog, report it.

I find them cruel to dog, but that might not be in the law eyes, yet.

I have to vent about the blister package thing. I have a two year old, so the entire week after the holidays was spent opening, assembling, and cursing new toys. Those that did not require assembly came in blister packages and/or contraptions of cardboard and plastic with the toys tied firmly down by dozens of indestructible twist ties interlocked within the toys parts. I have callouses still. Yet the light bulbs I bought yesterady are cradled carelessly in a thin paper sleeve. Need I mention the eggs? I am kind of an instant gratification type, so this battle to open toys for a completly impatient two year old is infuriating. I have cuts from blister packages that would not yield to scissors, tearing, or stomping. Since most of her toys required batteries (thanks Granparents) I had more than my share of battles. I think I prefer assembly. I think inconvenience aside, the superfluous packaging is environmentally and economically crippling. The amount of garbage from each toy package was staggering. I personally went cheap and easy and did not wrap anyone's gift this year in the name of the environment. (it had nothing to do with certain members of my family who unwrap each item so painfully slowly and carefully so they can fold the paper into a neat square and save it for later use......earth friendly but mind numbingly tedious)

Well said, soylentgreengirl, especially this bit:

>>the superfluous packaging is environmentally and economically crippling<<

It's absolutely disgusting the money spent on this wholly useless and superfluous stuff while people are starving, and it adds to the filthy, greedy, mindless pollution of our planet.

J