Are Americans really that stupid?

Question

According to the BBC news site. a company had to put a warning label on its washing machines as parents where allowing their children to climb in an then they turned on the machine.

Surely this can't be true?

Also I have heard that in cafe's and resteraunts the owners have to put warning labels on the cups to warn customers that the cofee may be hot. Is this true?

Any other stupid warning latels you have heard of?

Answer 1

It probably is true. Yes, there was probably one person stupid enough to do that, but by and large, NO we aren't that stupid. It's more a question of "is this a liability, will somebody sue?" than "are people this stupid?"- we tend to be lawsuit happy here.

Answer 2

I heard that there was a warning label put on a microwave saying that it was not suitable to dry pets in. Some woman had bathed her poodle and placed it in her microwave to dry it.....jeez!
The trouble with America is that it is has become such an extreme compensation culture. Many are running scared and feel the need to use these warning labels. What may seem obvious to the majority, there are the few numbnuts who do have these stupid accidents. At the end of the day, they are merely accidents, or acts of pure stupidity. They should not be allowed to get away with attempting to claim compensation. Unfortunately, the U.K. is heading very much the same way.

Answer 3

no. not that stupid, but we are that sue-happy. We Americans are very litigious. There are warning labels on just about everything to protect companies from being sued.
Yes, coffee cups are labeled "hot" to warn consumers as a few years back there was a woman who sued McDonalds for millions (and won) after spilling hot coffee on her lap.

Answer 4

Americans live in their own world . Personally as a canadian ...and I use to work at the aeroport. It is not strange to see an American in the middle of july come off the plane ready for a snow storm . I have been asked on a trip to Florida how I can live in an igloo ! Their schools focus on their own country they do not learn alot about others. Their focused on themselves . If its not American their is no need to be bothered about it .basically is their rule


But for a summary ...To sue for anything is also their way of life !
Macdonalds was being sued by parents of two obese children for making them fat . As if the parents or kids could not control what was being stuffed into their mouth . Another woman sued Mcdonalds as the coffee she spilled on herself was too hot

Answer 5

I did hear of the case of the woman who put her dog in the Micro-wave to dry it after she'd given it a bath. Needless to say, she cooked the bloody thing. She then sued the makers as there wasn't a warning NOT to do that. The makers now put such a warning on their products.

Only in America

Answer 6

They do it for legal reasons. Some people do stupid things out of their own ignorance and the company doesn't want to be held accountable: so in all reality, they (the companies) are being smart and a *few* customers are being *yes* THAT stupid :)

Answer 7

It's more of a litigation precaution than anything else. It's the judges that are stupid. These labels wouldn't exist if they would use their common sense and throw these cases out of court.

Answer 8

Sign up for thisistrue.com they have good stories not only from America but from all over the world. While there click on their link to the "Stella Awards". Stella being the lady who sued McDonalds when she spilled hot coffee in her own lap.

Answer 9

lmao don't know about the washing machines but its probably true i know the warnings on hot drinks are true what next warnings on soft drinks from the chillers saying mind your fingers this may cause them to chill? lol

Answer 10

Do not submerge this appliance in water (on a Stereo) followed by Do not touch this end, serious burns can result... on a soldering tool, no less.
--Charles, That Cheeky Lad