Test the packaging, not just the product

Widdecombe

MY PIECE on the mineral water bottles which would not open struck a chord with older readers. One lady of 83 has such difficulty with Domestos bottles that she wants to start a campaign. Indeed were I more technologically clued- in I would start a website called Can’t Open The Darn Thing and invite users to shame the manufacturers.

Some bottles are merely too stiff. Others require squeezing and unscrewing simultaneously while some even require three actions at the same time: squeezing, unscrewing and pressing down. One might understand that with bleach or strong medicines but not with ordinary, harmless goods.

This week I took a bottle of my mineral water of choice, San Pellegrino, from the supermarket shelves and tested the top. It was as fiercely unyielding as those I had previously bought so I put it back.

A little while later I tried to fill the windscreen- washer of my car, which had been splashed with mud. I took a fresh bottle from the boot and the lid said squeeze and turn but refused to open. After five minutes I gave up. If instead of being at home I had been obliged to drive on without adequate washer fluid that would not have been much of a contribution to road safety. Is any marketing director listening? Don’t just test the product, Mr MD, test the container as well – preferably on your elderly mum.

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