Is Packaging Getting Harder to Open These Days, or Is It Just Me?

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
It doesn't matter what the item is, it seems like everything is much harder to open than it was years ago, and it's not really age related either. The packages which say "easy open" are sometimes the hardest, LOL!

How about you, do you struggle opening up packages of store bought items, or is it just me? :hair:
 

We've noticed it with the Bud Light beer caps........feel like we almost need a pair of pliers to open! Bags of chips can be hard to open as well. Think manufacturers are using some type of Super Glue to seal this stuff with today. With a lot of food (pickle, relish, etc.) jars, we have to use a rubber jar opener. My wife don't have the strength in her hands she did years ago.
 
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Yes, harder to open, & they never close right even if "tear here" succeeds. I have an adjustable jar opener, small end will work on milk bottle, large on jars. & I have a bag full of wonderful old wooden clip clothes pins to keep bags shut.
 
I need my slip-jaw pliers to open the screw cap on a bottle of club soda water.

My ultra sharp kitchen shears can just barely open a pack of Swiss cheese.

Try opening the hard crimped plastic cover an anything from the hardware store.
 
Falcon said:
Try opening the hard crimped plastic cover an anything from the hardware store.
Click to expand...

They sell a special tool now just to open the packaging. Thing is, how do you open the tool package? :confused:

I've noticed a few jars are starting to engage in feats of strength with me recently. I think I'm going to pick up a small oil-filter wrench, one of those rubber disc thingies and a large Stillson wrench. That, along with my flip-knife, should cover most of the challenges.
 
yes sir, that plastic stuff Falcon is refering to is something else!! I remember when things use to be child proof. Now it seems like things have changed to adult proof.
 
SeaBreeze said:
It doesn't matter what the item is, it seems like everything is much harder to open than it was years ago, and it's not really age related either. The packages which say "easy open" are sometimes the hardest, LOL!

How about you, do you struggle opening up packages of store bought items, or is it just me? :hair:
Click to expand...

Yes some of it is harder to open, even the youngsters struggle with it.
 
Don't worry so much about packaging as the time may come when you can't "unpackage" yourself!
 
I find it quite funny! I keep plyers and scissors handy. And even then, things, simple things are hard to open! UHG! Teeth are still good to use. :D Yeah, this is only part of getting on with age. NO shoes fit comfortably, have to have those $45 inserts. Then they are soft and fine. But then, these are little things, so I don't make a big deal out of it, yet.
 
You are right, I guess since I am older, I just blame it on that. But, things are getting harder to get into! Boxes in the mail, bars for breakfast, and bottles!
 
Yes..and those zip locks don't zip like they used to.

Most times I'll cut something I shouldn't.. when trying to open something...

It's getting harder to hold a gallon of tea as well..with one hand.
 
Jars like pickle jars are hard to open because of atmospheric pressure. Manufacturers use the same technique like grandma and her canning. They load the jar with hot food and tighten the lid. The contents and air inside cool and contract causing a vacuum seal. Poke a little hole in the top with an ice pick. The lid will pop out because pressure is equalized. Now turn the lid normally. Sometimes the lid practically falls off. A wet dish towel will give you a better grip too.
 
The Emergency Rooms are full of people who injured themselves trying to open packages.

Years ago, my daughter tried to open plastic packaging by stabbing it with a sharp knife. Result: she severed the tendon in her index finger. Several hours of micro-surgery later, she was left with a finger that will neither straighten all the way nor clench all the way.

Be careful. Be very careful.
 
I think that manufacturers are worried about product theft or adulteration, so they have created super durable, hard-to-open packaging. A related concern are those multiple "safety seals," intended to guard against food product contamination. A container screw-top lid is often sealed over with tight-fitting clear plastic, and when you remove that there's often an inner seal that's hard to remove as it's difficult to grab onto it. And don't get me started on product lids as on pill bottles whose removal requires that you push down on them while also twisting or squeezing the cap! :(
 
I agree with one and all. It's ridiculous. How about the bottles of vitamins that have that half circle "easy open" tab on top of the full circle seal? In my entire life, even when I was younger, I only succeeded in using that half-circle tab less than five times. Normally, it either doesn't tear the full seal under it, or you can't get a grip to pull it hard enough. Those times I used pliers, it tears off, leaving the seal still on. That's when i get a knife and stab the damn seal!

I have a gizmo for jars and caps, now, and it works well. I also have a mini box cutter in my utensils drawer for packages.

Packages get harder to open, and light bulbs won't screw in smoothly, anymore, since China has no standardization of threads, apparently. THAT drives me crazy, too.
 
I always have a salesperson open the toughies (heat sealed plastic) for me
It's usually educational for both of us

or, the razor knife comes into play
 
They are making packages harder to open because of shoplifter theft which is enormous.

If you can take the item out of the package easily and put it in your pocket you won't be detected at check out because the bar code is on the package.

Where I shop now, the golf ball packages are locked up and you have to get staff to open the locker. When they were left out you just took the balls out, put them in your pocket and leave the empty package behind. It's the same with sporting goods like hunting knives. The staff then leads you to the check out counter to pay for it in some cases.

It's an epidemic.
 

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