Forms are an integral part of our lives, aren't they? You find them at airports, railway and bus stations, government offices, banks, hospitals, and post offices.
On these seemingly innocuous sheets of paper, we have to fill in important details that will help offices grant us access, validate our identities, or facilitate transactions.
But rarely have I found a form that had adequate space to fill in all the necessary details.
If they are asking us so many details, why aren't they leaving enough space?
They don't realise the consequences. When space is scarce, our handwriting suffers. We squeeze letters and abbreviate words. Illegible entries lead to errors, delays, and frustration.
Insufficient space also could mean my inability to give some detail or context to the answer I am providing.
So, it's better for all if they keep us customers in mind and leave enough space.
Or, better still, switch to digital. No problem of illegibility. Expandable fields provide enough space. We will save lots of paper as well.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you ever struggled with cramped forms?
(Image credit: Freepik)
Hi Pradeep - fortunately I don't have to fill in many forms these days - and the majority are online. I remember the days of downloading, printing, filling out the form, scanning, attaching, and emailing - only to find I'd missed something or used the wrong coloured biro. I don't miss those days at all!
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne - Here many forms are still offline. I guess slowly they will move online.
DeleteIt's a long time since I filled a form that I remember. Even milk subscription has become online now. So it should be OK to fill up a physical form occasionally..
ReplyDeleteHi Rajesh - Yes. I find it quite frustrating to see that there is not enough space.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI do everything I can to avoid forms! No matter how educated one is, there is something daunting and/or invasive about such things! Even the online ones can be oppressive - and restrictive. Sometimes more so than hand-written, for there are character numbers counted and limited. One must simply sigh and 'fit the box'... YAM xx
Hi Yamini - Absolutely. Being asked unwanted questions is another matter altogether. On many occasions, there is no way but to fill in them!
DeleteEven space doesn't make my handwriting better. I definitely prefer digital.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne - Mine too, handwriting has broken beyond repair!
DeleteI suffer from too long of a name. Back in the day, you could only have so many letters on some forms for your name, and my first name was just a bit too long. Sigh. My brother has it worse.
ReplyDeleteKeep it digital. I get monster writer's cramp when I have to write anything much longer than my name (or fill out a check). I do much better typing.
O, yes, trying to fit long names is indeed a big problem!
DeleteForms are always difficult to fill out. My pet peeve is the lines to reply questions are always confusing. For example, Name and then followed by Address. There is a line against Name. Am I supposed to write my name above the line or below the line. It is always Murphy’s law. If you write your name above the line, in some forms, it is wrong. If you write your name below the line, in some other forms, it is wrong.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I have at times filled in answers in the wrong slot!
DeleteI am quite happy to sit at a keyboard and fill in forms but I hate filling in paper forms. For each of our six Covid vaccinations we've had to fill in the same paper form each time, with only the date changing. It is so annoying. They are never checked aside from that the Medicare number being correct so the business does get paid. I feel bad for some people who have long names. I can barely fit my seven letter family name into many forms, and often there isn't enough space for a full postal address.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. This is another problem - having to fill in details that have already been filled out on a previous occasion. Even I have had a problem filling in the address.
DeleteLike Andrew, I have trouble squeezing my full name onto some forms. lol Things could be a lot worse, though. Blessings to you and yours , Pradeep.
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - Thank you. :-) That's a problem we have to live with! Making these forms digital will solve some of the problems.
DeleteForm-filling is both a test of patience and handwriting. And in paper form, it often leads to wastage. Your piece is very relatable, sir.
ReplyDeleteHi Arpita, with computers, our handwriting has gone for a toss! It's the space constraint I find most challenging.
DeleteA genuine concern.
ReplyDeleteHi Tomi, yes indeed.
DeleteHi Pradeep - my name makes life challenging! I, too as the others and you have said, dislike filling forms in - especially repetitively. Also no-one pays attention ... so why bother! But ... so be it - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYes, Hilary. Long names can be a problem. I face it when I am asked to fill in my full name.
DeleteCompletely agree, it is so stressful filling forms
ReplyDeleteHi Pooja, thanks.
DeleteAbsolutely right! They often want CAPITAL LETTERS, too, and my capitals are even more illegible than my handwriting!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, that is right. That makes it harder, is it not?
Deleteici, la plupart des formulaires à remplir sont en format numérique, heureusement, car comme toi, je n'ai jamais assez de place pour tout écrire ! En plus mon écriture est très moche, peu lisible à par par moi. L'habitude du clavier et l'âge n'arrangent pas non plus les choses ;))
ReplyDeleteJe vois dans tes commentaires que ton français est parfait, bravo !
Mon écriture est également très mauvaise grâce à l'ordinateur ! Merci beaucoup pour vos observations sur mon Français. je m'améliore!
DeleteI'm so used to digital forms that when I'm faced with a paper one I always make a complete mess of it! Thank goodness they are few and far between!
ReplyDeleteHi Keith - The same here, for me too!
Delete