OT: Opening things??

[mykneesareback]

Am I the only one who has trouble opening things, packages with zip locks on them, in particular? I cut or tear off the top of, say, lunch meat or salad bags, and then have to fuss around with getting the zip thingee to open.......pain in the butt!! I have written to the food companies, but all I get is a coupon for a free product, lol. I bought Taster's Choice instant coffee, they have a "new, exciting container", instead of a simply screw top, this new one "pops open", but not for me, takes me awhile. Wondering if it's my old hands or what??

No big deal compared to what's going on with people's health, I understand that, but, gee whiz, it's getting to be a joke around the house that I can't get stuff open.
'

[Loretta V]

I too have that problem Doris. My thinking is that my hands just don't have the strength they used to. Opening a hard plastic container is even worse when something is sealed in there, ie batteries. You need tools just to get into the package. I really have a problem opening some toilet bowl cleaners that say push down and turn.

You are not alone.

[Mssarge]

Amen, zip top stuff that doesn't zip, easy open containers that aren't and fuggit about opening some jars. I do have a wrench-like thing that works well if I can hold on to both the tool and the jar. I have found regarding a jar lid I can't loosen, if I bang the lid on the floor a few times it will loosen right up. Of course, if it's stuck because of something sticky, then running water on it will loosen it up. But for zips that don't there is no solution. I frequently move the contents to something I can open as I get so frustrated with them.

Mary in SoCal

[Doug_H]

You guys are echoing Jo's comments. She has this same problem. I do too sometimes.

Anymore I just get a knife out and cut it open.

[modon69478]

I keep some shears nearby in the kitchen and also have one of those jar opener thingys. Still run into trouble sometimes.

[mykneesareback]

I think it has something to do with the fingers and wrist wearing out, lol. I do keep scissors right at hand on the counter, and we have several "thingees" to get jars open, and a nut cracker works well, too. When dh encounters, say, a zip topped pack of cheese, he can't get it to zip, so just sticks it back into the drawer for those kinds of foods. So I have to take the stuff out and rewrap, or place the whole thing into a plastic bag. Just one of life's little annoyances. But it's good to know I'm not alone! A jar of pickles is the next adventure, I hit it on the sides with a heavy steel cake lifter thing I keep just for that purpose.
Yes, I forgot about those plastic containers with good, tight fitting lids....

[SuSUN]

For those tightly sealed jars, I slide a flat butter knife into the space and wait for the vacuum to pop, then they are easy to twist open.
Those plastic zip packets. I just end up cutting the ends off now and place in another zip lock bag. Makes life simpler that way.

Doris, you are not alone.

[birdlady]

I have an electric jar opener,it's wonderful,most of the zip locks I transfer.Shears on counter top always.

[LoveMontana]

LOL one of my pet peeves too.

I use scissors to cut open those plastic bags of stuff and then to reseal, I squeeze most of the air out, roll the top down tightly and secure with a rubber band.
Jars and lids, hot water, a little banging on the sink edge and they usually open.

[Loretta V]

I use wooden closepins a lot to close up plastic bags that need reclosing.

I too have an electric (black & decker) electric jar opener that is well worth the investment.

[Liblady]

I'm happy to know I'm not alone with that problem. I keep scissors right nearby in the kitchen drawer. Couldn't manage without those scissors.

I get DH to open up plastic stuff with the knife..........I'm afraid I'd cut myself.

I also use clothespins to close tops of stuff, and with zip up stuff I usually transfer it to something I can handle.

Do young people have this problem? I never thought about it happening because I'm older, yuk!
Ginny

[mykneesareback]

Yeah, I use wooden clothespins to keep bags closed, I've seen those big clips, but somehow, never bought them, lol. We have two pairs of scissors on the counter and near the counter on the desk, just "in case" either of us have trouble. I still have old thingees that you put on the jar and tighten to twist the lid off, it is so old, it's that avocado color that was popular in kitchen in the 1950's, from my mother's stuff. Still works.........

Thanks for your input, friends!

[SuSUN]

Yesterday I bought a package of those toothbrush heads for the Oral B. What a job to dig out the toothbrush head out of the package. Anyone else find this or is there an easier way?

[mykneesareback]

Oh yeah, Susan. I just bought 2 of those printer ink thingees, packed so tight, you need scissors and a sharp knife, too.
We just bought a set of 5 different size scissors, all in a nice pack, AND needed Scissors to open the pack of scissors! Ha Ha Ha They are so afraid of shop lifters............

[ocali]

I have the same problem opening all the packages. A few weeks ago, I could not open the screw top on a bottle of some drink (can't remember the brand, etc.). I finally went across the street to one of my neighbors. He opened it immediately. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

[tatehouse]

A trick I learned for those vacuum sealed jars is a swift whack on the bottom with the heel of your hand will break those seals and make them easy to open.

All those other things give me fits. I've had to use tools from the tool box on even the top to 2 liter coke bottles. Those jar openers are too big for those bottles and I just can't get some to twist.

Old age ain't for sissies.

Anne

[modon69478]

Sometimes I'll use an old fashioned nut cracker to open those soda bottles. I'm no sissy! LOL

[~PaperMoon~]

Originally Posted by mykneesareback

Am I the only one who has trouble opening things, packages with zip locks on them, in particular? I cut or tear off the top of, say, lunch meat or salad bags, and then have to fuss around with getting the zip thingee to open.......pain in the butt!! I have written to the food companies, but all I get is a coupon for a free product, lol. I bought Taster's Choice instant coffee, they have a "new, exciting container", instead of a simply screw top, this new one "pops open", but not for me, takes me awhile. Wondering if it's my old hands or what??

No big deal compared to what's going on with people's health, I understand that, but, gee whiz, it's getting to be a joke around the house that I can't get stuff open.
'

Yes I've noticed that too! I would tear the top off but then when it comes to opening the ziplock part it takes me like 5 minutes to get the darn thing to open!

[~PaperMoon~]

Originally Posted by Liblady

I'm happy to know I'm not alone with that problem. I keep scissors right nearby in the kitchen drawer. Couldn't manage without those scissors.

I get DH to open up plastic stuff with the knife..........I'm afraid I'd cut myself.

I also use clothespins to close tops of stuff, and with zip up stuff I usually transfer it to something I can handle.

Do young people have this problem? I never thought about it happening because I'm older, yuk!
Ginny

LOL! No I think it's the way they make some of the packages now, because I don't have any trouble opening other things up and my hands are strong, I do push ups and other exercises, no it's the packages!