As the years go by, two issues have arisen that cause me no end in frustration. One is driving at night, and the other is opening safety/tamper proof packaging.
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| What driving at night looks like for me. I kept wondering, is it my glasses? My astigmatism/vitreous detachment? AARP card? If you also face the blinding headlight issue, I have good news for you. Apparently, LED have replaced halogen headlights and make them appear 40% brighter due to the human eye's sensitivity to higher wavelength red light in LED's. The good people at The Soft Lights Foundation currently have a Change.org petition to stop this trauma for drivers. To sign the petition, go to: Soft Lights Foundation |
While I only drive at night about twice a week, something I struggle with on a daily basis is opening any new product. I think we can thank 1982 Tylenol bottle contaminator/murderer suspect James Lewis. Unfortunately, he is dead, so we can no longer retaliate.
Allow me to share a few of the things I struggled opening in the past week:
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| This shrink band looks easy enough to open, but with the way the bottle is shaped, there's no easy way to get scissors up under it. And the perforated line that's supposed to tear rarely works for me. |
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| Induction seals are the worst. Even with fingernails, there is no way to get a good grip. Thus, the necessity of a knife. |
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| Resealable pouches with the tear away strip that never tears completely across. Then you need scissors to skillfully cut close enough to the ziploc seal, but not too close, where you ruin the seal. |
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| This is called lidding film. Sometimes it has a tab that you must search to find, but often there is no tab. The only way to open it is with a knife, cutting around the circumference of the package. Let's not forget the extra step of having to wash the knife. |
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Another example of an induction seal, this time in the bathroom on a facial cleanser. I do not keep knives in my bathroom so then I'm attempting to poke it with tweezers until I give up and go to the kitchen. |
Bijoux, I am right here with you. I avoid driving at night whenever I can because my night vision is so poor. I had LASIK surgery in 2000 and it was great, except for the night vision, which has become exponentially worse in my 40s. Since I live in a semi-rural part of town, there are few streetlights, which makes the problem so much worse.
ReplyDeletePackaging! There is so much packaging for everything. So much waste! It is terribly frustrating, all the little plastic seals. I get frustrated with it too. I was trying to open something the other day, I think it was a bottle of soy sauce, and the shrink band kept peeling off in circles around the top, instead of vertically, so I couldn't tear it off. Ahhhhh!
I have heard about the LASIK - night driving issue. And yes, I forgot to mention how a lack of streetlights also makes driving difficult. And let’s not even talk about snow and ice on the road at night.
DeleteI have the same problem with the shrink bands. They just do not come off easily. Ugh!
I'm at the age I save the easy to open pharmacy pill bottles and pour my new pills into them so I will only have to fight to open it once. https://fromarockyhillside.com
ReplyDeleteI'm actually proficient at child-tamper proof bottles, but that is a good idea.
Deletei share your frustrations. I don't like driving at night anymore and only do it when it involves getting people to and from the airport. I struggle with tamper-proof packaging— especially those single blister wrap deals in which one pill must be extracted from Fort Knox My term for them. 🤨
ReplyDeleteThat's funny that you mention the single pill thing because YES! So annoying! If it's simply foil, it's not bad, but there seem to be some that have a plastic/foil combo that's impossible. And you should see what my once-a-month Boniva comes in!
DeleteI'm definitely signing the petition! I HATE driving at night, and have struggled with it since I was a teenager, though it does seem to have gotten worse as I've gotten older. Have you seen the pictures that show how Christmas lights or traffic on a dark rainy night look to people with astigmatism? They always make me wonder what it looks like to everyone else because that's just how it looks to me.
ReplyDeleteI think induction seals and resealable bags are some of the worst! I also hate how hard it is to get into cold/flu medicine. Why does it have to be in individual nearly impossible to open little packets?!? You already feel bad, so getting into your Nyquil tablets shouldn't require a Herculean effort!
No, I hadn't seen the Christmas light photos with astigmatism, but I looked them up, and YES! That is exactly what they look like to me. I try to put off getting new glasses to every other year, just because they are so expensive, but man, mine are only 10 months old and I already feel like I need a new prescription. And yes, it's super frustrating to be sick AND then have to struggle opening the meds. UGH!
DeleteI am 100% with you on both problems. When we lived in Florida I didn't have much problem driving at night because everything is so lit up. Now that we live here, it is SO dark and lights play tricks on my eyes driving. Tamper proof packaging has gotten to be very difficult to open. It may be partly due to age but I think it is the bullet proof materials they are now using that is causing most of the problem.
ReplyDeleteJust another thing I love about summer is that it stays light until at least 9 pm, so I don't have to deal with the night driving issue. Bullet proof material is a good way to describe these packages!
Delete..." and the other is opening safety/tamper proof packaging."
ReplyDeleteOMG, yes, yes, yes, YES! I hear ya' my friend, me too! And not only safety/tamper proof packaging, but also bagged items, like tortilla chips. I swear to God, those plastic bags have gotten so difficult to open that I very often have to take a STEAK KNIFE and STAB it open! David Copperfield couldn't get them open!
And I also have issues, like you, opening glass jars that have that tight plastic sealer that goes around the lid. Again, I've had to use STEAK KNIFE to cut it open. I've tried scissors, but they don't seem to work.
And yes, me too about the resealable pouches. It's impossible to open them without tearing into the bag, thus leaving them NON-sealable.
You also mentioned the introduction seal on facial cleanser. I just had that happen this week with a body moisturizer seal. I had to take my wine bottle seal cutter to open it. It's the only thing that worked.
I don't have a car, so I no longer drive. Therefore, I'm not sure if I would have difficulty seeing at night. But I will say that my reading sight has gotten horrendous and need to upgrade the percentage.
FUN post! And one that I could definitely relate to! I'll think of you the next time I open a sealed package. LOL!
Have a superb weekend, my friend! X
Absolutely, Ron! Remember when you used to be able to just pull open a bag of junk food? They've changed that, plus put in so much air that you really do need scissors to open them. And yes, I get so mad when the resealable ziploc thing is ruined when you have to cut open the bag. So annoying! And isn't it sad that a beauty product is harder to open than a bottle of wine?? LOL, maybe that's telling us something, but I'm not sure what! Thanks so much for your comment, Ron and I hope your weekend is full of snow! Sending it your way!
DeleteDriving at night is challenging, but I really struggle when you add rain to the mix. The way the headlights reflect off the wet road always throws me for a loop.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best investments I made was an under-cabinet jar opener, because some of those lids can be just as tricky as tamper-proof packaging. This purchase has saved us a lot of struggle!
Rain definitely adds to the struggle with the reflection and then the windshield wipers going like crazy. I’m white knuckling that sort of drive. It also causes me to not see the lines on the road. That jar opener sounds like a great home and lifestyle improvement!
DeleteI enjoyed and chuckled at a day in the life of Bijoux. Hang in there. My night vision has taken a big tumble recently. The scary thing for me is that Hayden wants to play catch no matter what time it is and I have to explain to her that I can't see the softball real well in the dark especially when it is moving at 50 mph. I have had a few scary moments and she just laughs at me. Good times.
ReplyDeleteI feel my blood pressure rise way too many times per day. Ok, playing softball or baseball in the dark is just a BAD idea! You need stadium lights in your backyard!
DeleteI completely understand. I have Astigmatism and I have some hearing loss. I have small pocket knives all over my house for those lids you can never tear off. lol What really bothers me is the TV. The music gets so loud and I can't hear the people talking over it. So I have closed captioning on all the time so I know what they're saying. I don't drive at night at all because the lights just give me huge stars and I can't see well.
ReplyDeleteThe astigmatism is difficult and something that's not talked about. I'm sorry about the hearing loss. My mother and grandfather both have/had it and I'm concerned it will eventually affect me as well. Normally, I'm ok with TV shows, but the sound on movies is so freaking loud and one of the reasons I won't watch them. Pocket knives around the house is a GREAT idea!
DeleteI wear two different contact lenses in order to be able to read without readers. I notice that driving at night is a little challenging - like things are not as sharp. My grandpa lived to be like 96 or 97? He always used to say, "It's hell getting old."
ReplyDeleteI tried to open a jar of salsa for the Superbowl. It wouldn't budge, so I tried to pop the metal lid a bit along the side with a can opener thing (not even sure what you call it but the kind of can opener we used as kids to open the tin can of HiC Mom left out for us to have after school). Well it still didn't pop the center of the lid or loosen it. So I tried again with my hand. I didn't realize that I'd left a sharp edge to the lid in the process. I cut my thumb and DAMN. It hurt all week. Still bugging me. And then I had to get my son to open it for me. Why is everything so hard to open lately - like it used to be protected, but now it's just crazy.
I always say, “It’s hell getting old!” 🤣🤣🤣 I know exactly what you mean about trying to break the vacuum seal on jars. I’ve had luck taking the heavy end of a silverware knife and banging it along the sides of the lid till it makes marks. That seems to loosen it and then I can unscrew it.
DeleteThis resonates with me. Lol! Although I've been having a hard time on the road at night since I was in my 20s. And I had to buy a jar opener which I can also use in some bottles because omg, it is a struggle indeed!
ReplyDeleteI guess even young people struggle! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI AM WITH YOU ON ALL OF THIS! (Not sure why I’m yelling 🤣)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I hate blinding headlights, so I rarely drive at night. But now night happens at 4:30, which makes winter a little tougher. I am absolutely signing that petition.
My mom broke her shoulder three weeks ago (long story), so I’ve been helping her out every day. Let me tell you, it’s been eye-opening when it comes to opening packages—she only has one free hand, and even with two, I struggle! When she gets groceries delivered, I open everything so it’s easier for her, but I’ve been saying for years when wrestling with packaging, “What about the little old grannies who live alone??” Turns out, I am the little old granny now.
It’s nice to know we are not alone, but holy cow is it ridiculous!!! All of it! I’m sorry to hear about your mom. My mother broke her shoulder when she fell in 2023 and that’s what started her deteriorating, but it was exacerbated by the dementia, I can’t imagine opening anything with one hand. That would be impossible. I hope your mom heals quickly. Sending love this weekend 💕
DeleteWhat a coincidence your post talks of night-time driving ... out with a friend earlier today and we were both saying that we no longer enjoyed driving at night ... sometimes you do need to though!
ReplyDeletePackaging and opening it can cause problems, and I think the young have problems with it as well as the slightly older folk :)
Have a good weekend.
All the best Jan
So many people, no matter the age, seem to struggle with both. Thanks for the visit!
DeleteSing it sister! What is happening? HA. My eyesight at night is better since I got lasik surgery years ago, but still I hate driving at night.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to open a jar of banana peppers the other day, the Coach was out of town and I thought for a moment: If I have to go and ask my neighbor Gary to open this, I'll never live it down! Luckily, I was able to finally get the lid off with my dignity (mostly) intact.
The plastic bags with the ziplock thing: You re so right! There's a fine line of it almost ripping all the way open, to not getting anything at all.
BTW, I keep scissors in every room of my house now (my bathroom, my closet) because I'm always needing assistance to open something. We're getting one step closer every day to needing a (young) house assistant.
That’s interesting because I’ve heard the opposite about Lasik. I’m glad it’s helped you! I have had the fear that I won’t be able to make dinner because I can’t open some stupid jar of artichokes or something. It’s maddening! Scissors in every room is a good idea. A house assistant? Ok, Sonja Morgan 🤣
DeleteUm, weren't those INTERNS, not assistants? 🤣
DeleteOk, you've got me there!!!!!
DeleteI avoid night driving unless I absolutely have to, because nothing is as clear as in daylight and I have to really really concentrate. I hear you on difficult to open bottles, jars etc. I know it's a security and tamper-proof issue but do they have to make products practically impregnable?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could avoid night driving in the winter, but there are two nights a week that I don’t have a choice. It’s nice to know our products are safe, but it often means they’re safe from us, because we can’t break into them!
DeleteI can relate to the night-vision thing. I haven't stopped driving at night, but I've noticed that I don't see quite as well after dark - especially if it's raining, or I'm in an area I don't know. A couple years ago, I got some 'driving glasses', and that helps, especially, I think, after dark. I also remember a little trick I learned back in driver's ed, where you look at the shoulder stripe when you have oncoming headlights. . .
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of driving glasses, but I'm glad they helped. I remember that driver's ed trick, but it does not help me. It only makes me nervous that I'm not looking straight ahead!
DeleteJust to be clear, this 'Anonymous' is me. . .
Delete'Driving glasses' are just regular glasses, but I pretty much only use 'em for driving. They sharpen my vision for reading street signs and making out details in high-glare situations.
Ok, thanks for clarifying. Google has been weird lately. My myopia has improved significantly in recent years, but I still need my glasses to drive.
DeleteI absolutely agree with you on both of these. I HATE night driving and will avoid it when possible. It's even worse when we're traveling and I don't know the area. My anxiety spikes because I can barely see and I don't know the roads well enough to safely navigate them.
ReplyDeleteThe packaging struggle is the worst. I just bought scissors in a tamper proof package. How tf am I suppose to open that if I don't have scissors to begin with? I hate it when jars are really hard to open as well. I thought about buying an electric jar opener because at least 5 or 6 times a year I come across a jar that is too tight for anyone in the house to open. It's so frustrating that by the time it's open, I've lost interest in what I was going to cook.
Oh yeah, it’s horrible driving at night when you’re unfamiliar with the area. Lol at opening the scissors without scissors! 🤣😱 I know exactly the sort of packaging (like small packs of batteries) and it’s a miracle to not cut yourself while doing it. Ugh! I have found that banging on the sides of glass jar lids with a silverware knife helps unseal the lid. Stay warm, Theresa!
DeleteResealing those ziploc seals after cutting away the top---forget it. I usually end up folding the top over several times and using a chip clip. "Easy reseal" my arse! I hated when the new seal on milk and several other things became that clearish half-circle pull tab thing. I can't tell you how many times the entire thing has torn off rather than pulling up the much sturdier white circle covering the opening. It just happened yesterday, in fact. I grabbed a knife to pierce and then pry off the circle instead. I can no longer remember what the lids used to look like, but I don't remember them causing me such irritation. ~Betsy
ReplyDeleteNope, it’s never an easy reseal, is it? Ok, I think I know what you’re talking about with the half circle pull thing, but I’ve only seen those on things like plastic bottles of vitamins. Is the milk seal you’re talking about on plastic jugs or the cardboard half gallons? My cardboard ones have the circle you put your finger into and pull away. I don’t have too much trouble with those.
DeletePutting your finger through a ring to pull away sounds much simpler. This is just a flimsy plastic tab on plastic jugs, that's meant to pull up a sturdier plastic tab. It's just dumb. I'll have to get a pic for you at some point.
DeleteSounds like a California thing 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteI hear you!! The night driving I'm not completely sure of, because I try to not do it much. I'm sure there's been changes. I don't really want to drive anywhere unfamiliar at night now.
ReplyDeleteJars, cans, packages of all kinds... what a pain! Not sure if I don't have the strength anymore or they are sealing jars with super glue and cement. I usually have to bang the lid on the counter. Resealable things, like lunchmeat/cheese... I either can't get my fingers into the top area to find the zip after it's been opened, or if it's one with a little plastic slider thingy, that rips off... or when I open a package that is just folded over the bag just from the sticky label. And so many other things! LOL
~Mary
Going anywhere unfamiliar at night is a big nope. Even in the daytime, I’m so grateful for navigation in my car. How did we survive before it 🤔🤣 Oh yeah, those little zipper slider things always manage to come off for me. So irritating. I do have some thumb arthritis because I’m often in pain, trying to unscrew jars. Too much stuff to even mention, right?? Have a good weekend, Mary!
DeleteI don't mind driving at night and sadly, often do it because my wife (who is 14 years younger than me) is blind at night. And I get tired of trying to figure out packaging...
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you are there for your wife, Jeff. Wishing you a warm weekend!
DeleteAgreed, Bijoux, on not driving at night which we avoid as much as possible, even on our road trips. I too have struggled with trying to get the caps and lids off many similar products i read that plastic water bottle tops have less plastic now which makes them harder to twist off now without spilling any water, Also, tomato jar lids can be hard to open and so I will tap with a kitchen utensil or run under hot water to loosen the seal.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that about bottles of water. Very flimsy and difficult to maneuver. Tapping lids definitely works for me.
DeleteSorry I'm late on this one, Bijoux, but I do share your frustration with sadistic packaging.
ReplyDeleteJust this morning I was trying to open the wrapping on a single antihistamine tablet and I blew my stack. My allergies could clear up in the time it took to get the pill.
It just shouldn't be this damn hard. Resealable packages can be a nightmare as well.
So true and so frustrating! Thanks for stopping by, Rob.
DeleteI constantly complain about packaging. Manufacturers have gone crazy with protecting our safety.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed crazy!
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