Do you read instructions?
@jewelenterprises (1996)
Australia
April 16, 2008 6:19am CST
When you purchase an item that needs to be assembled or some kind of appliance or electronics item that comes with instructions... do you read the instructions? Do you try to figure out how to use it or assemble it without referring to the instructions?
In the case of simple assembly items such as a pot plant stand I find I can generally just look at the picture and know how to put it together. I remember a couple of years ago I purchased a mobile greenhouse for my mother for christmas. She complained that my stepfather would probably never put it together so I offered to do it for her. I separated all the parts into groups of the same length, shape etc and made sure they were all present according to the count on the instruction sheet. All together there were about 60 parts (including nuts and bolts). I quickly checked the instructions to determine which length pieces went where. Then quickly assembled the greenhouse with no further reference to the instructions. Mum was totally amazed. She said that she wouldn't have had any idea where to even start yet it took me only 30 minutes to assemble. Admittedly I have a knack for that kind of thing and find it quite simple which many people don't.
Around the same time I purchased a barbeque for my partner. My partner tried to put it together... according to the instructions, but became frustrated when it wasn't working as she expected. I tried to show her how to do it but she wouldn't listen. As far as she was concerned, she was the expert and I was just trying to show off. Anyway, she went out for a while and I put it together while she was gone. Then had second thoughts and pulled it apart again because I didn't want her to feel inferior or that I was being a smart *ss.
With computer programs I will usually read instructions or do the tutorials to familiarise myself with the way it works.
Often I see people trying to do things without reading instructions and then getting frustrated because they can't figure it out... How crazy is that? If you can't figure it out then read the instructions! 
Do you do this? Or do you read the instructions?
How good are you at assembling things?
Do you do this? Or do you read the instructions?
How good are you at assembling things?1 person likes this
6 responses
@friendship (2084)
• Canada
22 Apr 08
Yes, I often have to read instructions when operating a new machine, computer or appliances. Today, a similar function of a product may have different operations.
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
22 Apr 08
That is very true. These days you practically need to have a university degree to understand the workings of many things like mobile phones etc
@rovermadman (80)
• New Zealand
17 Apr 08
I guess i'm a pretty typical male in that I do not feel I need to read instructions and in most cases get away with it albeit sometimes with a few items left over after assembly.
The rule then is simple. If it works leave it as is.
If it doesn't work then read the instructions.
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
17 Apr 08
ROVER!!! LOL Too funny!
Of course, then you spend hours pulling it apart so you can start over, following the instructions hopefully!
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
17 Apr 08
LOL warmedal... if your place is anything like my home office that could be like looking for a needle in a haystack... I've got papers everywhere.
As I said though, if it's an assembly job I generally just glance at the instructions then do it myself.
If it's a new mobile phone or computer program I will check out the instructions or do a tutorial (assuming one is available)
@Jerrymouse (697)
• Malaysia
16 Apr 08
Most of the time, I never read the instructions because most of things I have bought are pretty simple to assemble. I know how all the pieces will fit together just by looking at them. The only time I ever read instructions is when I fill up forms or when I troubleshoot.
I can still remember the first time I built a robot from scratch. The instructions and schematics were too complicated so I end up puting it together just from looking at the picture of the completed circuit board. Believe it or not, after I built it, I found out that the instruction was so dumb as the whole robot circuit board can be modified so that it only uses 20% of all the components.
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
17 Apr 08
Yeah, sometimes the instructions really don't help all that much.
I love a challenge though... I like trying to put together hard things. I remember once putting a jigsaw together... it was a picture of the sky... no clouds or anything... just plain blue sky LOL... as you can imagine, that one really took quite some time. But I had a huge sense of acheivement after I completed it
@littleone3 (2063)
•
16 Apr 08
I have to admit that i dont look at the instructions first But i am pretty good at putting things together. But i will look at the instructions if i do get stuck or to check that everything is there. When my partner assembles things i always have to read the instructions out to him first before he starts.
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
17 Apr 08
HAH! And they reckon that males are supposed to be the logical ones
I find it amusing sometimes when I read the instructions. Especially when an item is made in Asia... as the instructions are in broken english. LOL.
Have you ever noticed that?
I find it amusing sometimes when I read the instructions. Especially when an item is made in Asia... as the instructions are in broken english. LOL.
Have you ever noticed that?
@busta1baby (1230)
• United States
17 Apr 08
no i dnt..if they r short yeah but if they r long no...ill read a lil bit thats it
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
17 Apr 08
With instructions I tend to read the basics just to get started... then when I want to do more complex things I refer to the specifics. But like you, I very rarely read right through, especially if they're long.
Guess we must be a pair of lazy bones
