People Break Down Which Things Aren't Standardized But Really Should Be

No More Vanity Sizes

Sizes for clothing.

Billbapaparazzi

Especially for shoes. How hard would it be to just list the sizes in centimeters (or inches if you're American)?

alice55lee555

WHY DO WE USE STANDARD MEASUREMENTS FOR OUR CLOTHES, BUT THEY ARE DIFFERENT SIZES IN DIFFERENT BRANDS???

Calvin Klein's men's slacks: 32'' waist

Bar III men's slacks: 32'' waist

Perry Ellis slacks: 32'' waist

THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT WAIST SIZES. WHYY?!?!?!?!

PM_ME__PREDICTIONS

Ah Yes, Three Chilis

There's a standard for chili heat levels (the Scoville scale), but food manufacturers never use it. Instead, they use a varying number of chili icons which mean nothing at all.

ViridianKumquat

It's always fun going to like a Thai restaurant in Canada and trying to figure out whether the chili icon means Thai spicy or Canadian spicy.

Glass_Broccoli2071

Ah Yes, This Could Kill Me

Household electrical voltages and sockets.

steelgate601

Interestingly enough, there was an attempt: since 1986, there is an international standard socket, IEC 60906-1. However, only South Africa has implemented it so far.

And it is unlikely it will ever be implemented in other countries, as the EU is even advising against it since 2017:

REFIT found that "the harmonisation of plug and socket outlet systems in Europe, by introducing changes in national wiring legislations (would have) important transitional periods (above 75 years)", and that the cost to "replace the old socket-outlets (and the corresponding plugs of the appliances being used)" was estimated at 100 billion Euro, "generating a huge environmental impact, producing some 700 000 tons of electrical waste".[3] REFIT does not recommend harmonising the plugs and socket-outlet systems in Europe.

otacon7000

Can we just get a little consistency here? Please?!

No Stacks

After working in a grocery store, can diameters should only come in a maybe 4 sizes. And they should all stack.

But they don't. They never do.

BlargTheElder

I feel your pain. I hate those narrow jars and cans that are slightly narrower than 3 wires of the shelf so they tip over if you don't place them perfectly.

Mjarf88

People Break Down The Best Loophole They've Ever Exploited

A Computer Mouse, Not A Little Baby Mouse

Modern rechargable batteries.

We spent years with standard size batteries. We are now stuck with proprietary batteries which aren't designed to be user replaceable and often dictate the life of the device.

nuronv

Yes absolutely. I found this fact especially annoying when looking for a mouse. Most of the more expensive mice come with rechargeable batteries, and it seems that modern tech reviewers are claiming this is better than some standard double A.

NarawsetaknevII

All Standard, Yet None Standard

I worked in a hardware store long enough to learn that apparently everything is standardized.

"I need window screens."

Okay, what are your dimensions?

"It's a standard size window."

─

"I'm looking for a replacement ceiling fan."

Okay, do you want small blades, large blades? A modest 30" span or a robust 56"?

"Just standard size."

─

"Do you think this large, bulky, cumbersome commodity will fit in my vehicle?"

I don't know. How big your truck?

"It's a standard one."

protip: it's a sedan. it's always a sedan.

Dynasuarez-Wrecks

Welp, Here's Your Problem

Based on years of helping my Dad in his shop, doing bodywork on vehicles - fastenings. Bolts, screws. rivets, clips... the sheer amount of specialized fastenings and required tools is insane. Even the variety of types in single vehicles is excessive.

Not to mention many of them are so cheaply made that there is no reusing them.

Squigglepig52

So Many Sign Languages

Not necessarily something that should be standardised because it would affect many cultures negatively, but I've always wondered what it would be like if every country just spoke one language. Sign language should probably be standardised, but re-learning sign language for people who use it may be difficult and time-consuming

LTAD2108

Perhaps We Need To Rethink Policing

Police responses to missing persons across the nation, and the information requirements for police reports to be filled out with specific and complete information at the first point of contact by the person reporting the missing person, regardless of the age, status, or suspected reason for disappearing.

Police should NEVER be allowed to decide a case isn't valid at the first point of contact.

Sexycornwitch

A Recipe For A Lint Fire

The laundry exhaust receptacle in homes should be centered exactly eighteen inches (45.7cm) from the floor with eighteen inches (or 45.7 cm) of clearance on both sides.

The exhaust duct of a clothes dryer should be in the middle of the back of the machine, and centered eighteen inches/45.7 cm from the floor. The dryer should have adjustable feet to allow for slight errors in measurement.

Once this is done, a laundry dryer can be pushed into the wall and we won't need to craft a length of ducting to connect the two.

EvilSnack