Sure, IKEA assembling instructions will undoubtedly be referenced—albeit with lots of hair-pulling–but there is certain literature attached to the merchandise that is conveniently forgotten.
The neglected piece of information is the warning label, and contrary to much public denial, they're there for a reason.
What is it about them that makes us conveniently gloss over the fine print, even if the word 'WARNING' is in bold and all caps? Do we, as educated consumers, think our common sense is sufficient?
Curious to explore this notion, Redditor rynoman12 asked:
"What is the 'WARNING: DO NOT...' label that is ignored the most?"
The following warned against specific body contacts.
See What I Mean?
"Glitter eyeshadow usually has a 'Warning: Do not use in the immediate eye area' and can cause damage to your corneas (even send you to the ER if you can't get it out) if even a particle gets in your eye."
Hear Me Out
"Do not insert inside the ear canal."
"Okay but why does my ear have a gspot then?"
– Cannanda
Screw Labels
"In my case would be like 'warning, do not wash/Gentle cycle/Hand wash...' and other shirts labels because I hate the feeling of that square thingy on my neck and first thing I do when I buy a shirt is ripping it off."
– V02D
Careful the things you ingest.
Toxic Chemicals
"WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm."
Harmful Sip
"My sis came back to Scotland from San Fransisco a few years back with a tourist-tat coffee mug for me. Bloody thing said on the bottom that there was a chance I'd get cancer if I drank from it.
That's Just Nuts
"The warning on a 100% pure peanuts bag that it MAY contains peanuts."
"Lucky i always get a peanuts bag with peanuts."
Bad Combo
"Don't drink alcohol with medication."
"I swear everyone I know seems to just ignore that one or just not read the warnings or interactions with their medication in general."
These are warnings specifically aimed towards the safety of children.
Questionable Caveat
"That stupid warning on nerf guns that tells you not to shoot them at people."
"Uh, okay, sure."
"I think it says 'Do not shoot directly at the face', probably because if it hits an eye, the damage may be serious."
– ACA2000
Half-Baked Warning
"Eat raw cookie dough. Better to die hunched over the toilet from salmonella poisoning than live on my knees."
Gotta Bounce Solo
"The warning on every trampoline ever that says to only allow one person on the trampoline at a time."
"Part of my job is actually to write these types of warnings and precautions (I'm a technical writer - I don't decide what the warnings are, lawyers do that, but once they know what warnings they want, I work with them to make sure it's worded clearly and concisely)."
"Anyway, my company used to do trampolines, and my boss remarked on how he has never known anyone to follow that precaution, and that in fact, if you were ever to see a kid jumping by themselves on a trampoline, you'd probably think, 'Oh how sad - that poor child has no friends!'"
You would think most of us have common sense, and that the warning label is on a product just in case.
But that concept was lost on these consumers.
Remember the woman who used Gorilla glue as a hairspray replacement? We all know how that worked out: a trip to a plastic surgeon.
Well, a Louisiana man thought that woman who suffered the consequences of applying the strong adhesive on her scalp was lying.
So he tried it on himself by using Gorilla glue to attach a plastic cup to his lip.
Sigh.