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The Left
Handed Twist-tie
by
N. Ray Maxie |
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The
convenient little twist-tie. You know, you probably twist on one or
two of those things everyday. It is a relative modern-day development
used mainly these days to keep our plastic bags securely closed and
our merchandise neatly packaged. They are found almost everywhere
we shop, especially at the super market. And sometimes those little
plastic or paper covered wires are in such demand; they are really
hard to find over in the produce department. But that seems to me
where the twist-tie is needed most. I regularly surmise they probably
aren't a big priority to the produce department workers since many
times I cannot find even one. When they aren't readily available,
I think most of us will just tie a knot in top of the bag to keep
it closed. But then often there isn't enough room to tie a knot and
besides, that is more pain and a lot of trouble we hurried shoppers
actually don't need. I'd much rather place my produce selection in
a plastic bag, spin the top closed and quickly apply the little twist-tie,
being done with it. Let's face it, those little fastener are mighty
handy. If our bags aren't securely tied, many items will just scatter
all over the shopping cart or fall through the cracks.
The bakeries too, are an enormous user of twist-ties. I know you have
noticed fewer and fewer bread companies are using that miserable little
flat plastic clip, which I hate anyway. When I bring my bread home,
I keep reclosing it daily with whatever fastener came on it. Those
plastic clips will snag on your bread bag, tearing it, or they will
break in half, leaving you having to find a twist-tie later, anyway.
Twist-ties are so versatile and reusable. A good loaf of fresh bread
will only last such a short time at my house. We seem to always leave
it on the counter top, opening and reclosing it with the twist-tie
until it is all gone. Right there near the toaster seems so convenient.
We have a bowl full of junky little stuff there too; like a few rubber
bands, chip clips, little fast food packs of salt, pepper and ketchup,
etc., etc., plus many used twist-ties.
Stumbling out of bed, half-awake every morning, I usually head for
the kitchen to make a piece of toast and immediately start the coffee
maker perking. Have you ever stood there holding the bread loaf and
twisting on the twist-tie? I have! You know, you twist and twist;
thinking this thing should open soon. But it doesn't! You blink a
time or two and take a closer look. The little twist-tie is almost
used up and curled completely to the end. Well, you decide that you
have been twisting that little sucker the wrong direction. You change
directions and after about a dozen turns, it pops open. Now fully
awake, you realize that someone around this house doesn't turn twist-ties
the same direction you do. Maybe that someone is left-hand dominant.
What is the correct direction to close a twist-tie? Right or left?
Or, IS there a correct direction? Are there machines or people at
the bakery that close them in either direction or, both directions?
Does one bakery turn twist-ties one direction and the other bakery,
the other direction? I don't really know these answers. All I know
is that it is often frustrating when everyone at our house doesn't
open and close them the same way. It seems that left handed people,
southpaws, will turn the twist-tie to the left, while right hand dominant
people will turn them to the right. In my humble opinion, RIGHT is
the right direction. Think about it! Which way do we turn a screw?
Which way do we turn nuts and bolts? Which way does the clock turn?
Clockwise. To the right of course. Right is right! Case closed.
Also, have you ever noticed that some folks, at home or at work, just
won't reclose a lid properly? Not checking the lid on a jug of juice
or other liquid before you shake it vigorously, is a no-brainer. So
is trying to hold a jar by the lid while lifting it from the refrigerator.
That is a whole 'nother story.
But then, if everyone did all things exactly the same as I do, life
would indeed be most miserable, dull and boring. Unexciting in every
way. We certainly don't want that. Do we? |
©
N. Ray Maxie
piddlinacres@consolidated.net
"Ramblin' Ray"
November 1, 2005 |
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