Funny stuff

[Bowser]

Check out the annoying apple on your tube

[Snickie]

People have probably already seen this in an email or something, but I figured I'd share it anyway just 'cause.

Those wonderful instructions on the sides of packets, tins and just about anything else you ever buy. And we've all seen them, the ones that make you wonder whether some people really are that stupid.
Well here are a few prime examples of the Label Copy-writer's art.

The label on the chain-saw warning that: You should not try to stop the blade with your hand. Darn, I've always wanted to try that!
The label from the company manufacturing wing mirrors for cars and bikes warning; Remember, objects seen in the mirror are behind you. So does that mean my face is behind me?
The label on the camera stating: To take photographs this camera must have a film in it. Film cameras aren't all that common anymore.
The labelling on Sainsbury's Peanuts stating: Contains nuts Peanuts are legumes. But they're still one of the most common allergies...
And on the subject of nuts, the instructions on the packet of peanuts provided by an airline which states: Instructions. Open packet. Eat contents. I would've never known that.
The cigarette lighter label which warns: Do not light the flame near face. Where else am I going to do it? Do I need to go into Orlando and press a switch or something?
The Marks and Spencer Bread and Butter pudding whose label states the classically obvious: Take care - Product will be hot after heating
Rowenta, manufacturers of electric irons felt the need to instruct users that: Do not iron clothes whilst on the body. I'm in a time cinch, I NEED THEM DONE NOW!!!!
Nytol, the herbal sleeping mixture whose label proclaims: Warning. May cause drowsiness.
The American manufactured insect spray whose proud boast is 'Kills all Insects' and was then labelled: Warning - this spray is harmful to bees. [i]Well, some people don't want to kill their bees....are there people who don't consider bees insects?

Edit: fixed typo

[Doug R.]

Rowenta, manufacturers of electric irons felt the need to instruct users that: Do not iron clothes whilst on the body.

I know someone who did this.

[Addicted]

I do this. So does my eldest child. It's quicker then undressing.

[Rebma]

The Marks and Spencer Bread and Butter pudding whose label states the classically obvious: Take care - Product will be hot after eating

Sadly this label has to be on anything going to be hot because if it's not, you can bet you someone in the united states will sue for a burn on the premise of it being unlabelled so them not realising. Even if it's, say, coffee. Which HAS happened in the past.

[Chroma Key]

Still, I am baffled by that. Over here, the standard we judge people on is the actions of a "reasonable person", which gives me some hope about our legal system (stops herself here as she remembers some of the ridiculous claims she threw away).
By the way, is that "product will be hot after eating", or "heating"?
Edit: Come on Snick, it was funny!

[SekoETC]

The US has a stupid court system and people are paying for it, for example through insurance. For example hospitals have to cover all the people slipping on their premises, so they put everybody in a wheelchair even if they could walk just fine. And they have to cover the legal costs of abusive people, so they do this by increasing the price of treatments. This stuff is not funny.

[Doug R.]

I'm not sure what you're talking about, Seko. I see patients walking around hospitals, with their IV trees in tow, all the time. Also, I really don't understand what the second half means.

[SekoETC]

I've been lead to believe that at least in some hospitals, they put people in a wheelchair by default because people could sue the hospital if they slip and fall. And there are people abusing the system and suing over little things that were caused by the person's carelessness or "accidents" they caused themselves on purpose. And I've heard that medical procedures and tests aren't that expensive by themselves, but they need to cover for all the malpractice suits so they increase the prices of everything. Even doctors are humans and mistakes happen without necessarily being caused by carelessness.

[Doug R.]

You're correct that malpractice suits are out of control. Malpractice reform is one of the things many politicians are trying to push through as one way t o reduce healthcare costs. However, this has less to do with the US medical system than it does with the general culture of litigation that is in the US. People will sue for any reason because they can.

Re: wheelchairs - perhaps that policy is hospital specific, but it's certainly not system-wide.

[muidoido]

Here in Brazil, our constitution specifically states that reparations can't bring wealth to the litigator, only give back what he lost. If he broke his leg because he fell on a wet floor, he will receive the same amount of money that he lost with medical care and days out of work. The same with malpractice. You can only receive the necessary amount of money needed to repair the damage.
This brings another kind of abuse though. Big companies think it's cheaper to let their customer have some problems and pay for the few that will complain, then to repair the problem at first. This happens a lot with car manufacturers around here!

[gejyspa]

Still, I am baffled by that. Over here, the standard we judge people on is the actions of a "reasonable person", which gives me some hope about our legal system (stops herself here as she remembers some of the ridiculous claims she threw away).
By the way, is that "product will be hot after eating", or "heating"?
Edit: Come on Snick, it was funny!

The "reasonable person" standard applies in US Law, to (since it's ultimately derived (outside of Louisiana) from English Common Law). The difference is that in the US it's considered "reasonable" to sue for the stupidest things.

[Doug R.]

You can only receive the necessary amount of money needed to repair the damage.

Some damage can't be repaired (loss of life, limb, etc.)

[muidoido]

I know. In those cases the judge will define a resonable amount of money, and/or a pension. But no wealth will ever be made.

[Snickie]

You can only receive the necessary amount of money needed to repair the damage.

Some damage can't be repaired (loss of life, limb, etc.)

Stupid American says: "I was letting my small kid play on the road in a construction zone on a major road, where the posted speed limit was 30 mph, and some jerkwad came by in a car and hit and killed my kid! My kid did nothing wrong, I did nothing wrong, so that jerkwad should have to pay me five million dollars."

Jerkwad says: "The kid shouldn't've been on the road in a construction zone in the first place, especially unsupervised. I'm not saying that this wouldn't've happened if they were supervised, but still! What reasonable parent lets their child play on a major road anyway?!"

Stupid American wins the case against Jerkwad.