Have You Ever Actually Read The Fine Print For Your Favorite Apps?

Presently, a large portion of our lives are dependent on computers. We use many different apps on our phones, laptops, and computers. For example, many of us shop online, do our banking online, and entertain ourselves online. However, all those apps come with lengthy “terms and conditions” documents which you must agree to or you can’t use them. Have you ever actually tried to read the fine print on one of those apps? It can take hours. In fact, a recent study shows the average time to read through the document.

The folks at SecureDataRecovery.com recently took the time to read the fine print for the top 100 major websites. In general, everything from dating apps to health and fitness apps. Their findings are pretty disturbing. For one thing, the average time to read the fine print is 54 minutes. But there are some apps which could take two to over four hours of your day to get through the terms and conditions. Who has that kind of time?

Not only is trying to read through the fine print time consuming, it’s also very confusing. Generally, it seems like one would need a lawyer to interpret most of the clauses in the agreement. No wonder most of us read the first paragraph, and then scroll down to see how much more we’ll need to read. Then, most of us just go to the bottom of the fine print and click the “Agree” box. We just don’t have the time or patience to read and comprehend all that legalese.

So, which company takes an average of over 4 hours to get through the terms and conditions? It’s AT&T. Secure Data Recovery Senior Content Writer Timothy Burlee reveals that AT&T’s terms and conditions document is over 56,000 words long. The average word count for most companies’ legalese is 10,385.

Other websites and apps which average over two hours to read the fine print are Venmo, Cash App, TaskRabbit, PayPal, and Grindr. Conversely, companies with the least amount of fine print are Allstate, Alibaba, and Delta Airlines. The study shows the average time to read through the legalese on those websites is around 10 minutes. Not bad at all.

Additionally, the SecureDataRecovery.com study considers which companies’ terms and conditions are the most confusing. Specifically, they say Trip Advisor, Twitch, and TaskRabbit are the most difficult to comprehend. On the other hand, Booking.com, TransferWise, and Google Pay are the easiest to understand.

If you’d like to check out all of the information in Timothy Burlee’s article, click here.

In our busy lives, it often feels like we spend more time in the office than at home. Work can get crazy, and sometimes, our manners take a back seat. Workplace etiquette is all about how we act and interact at work, from how we dress to how we chat with our colleagues or handle shared spaces. With evolving ideas about work and shifting societal norms, office etiquette can sometimes be confusing. Regardless of cultural variations, maintaining basic office etiquette is a way to show respect for the people we work with and the job we do together.

Good office etiquette covers a lot, especially given the changes in how we work in recent years, including remote setups and virtual communication. Going the extra mile sometimes means arriving a bit early, depending on your job and office culture. It's a signal to your boss that you're a go-getter.

Many offices are shared spaces, so cleaning up after yourself is a big deal. It helps you get along with your colleagues. Additionally, looking sharp and presentable is important unless you're in a super relaxed work setting that embraces flip-flops and t-shirts. This etiquette applies to everything, from weekly meetings with the boss to work parties.

It's also wise to be ready to share your thoughts when your boss asks for input in meetings. It's a chance to showcase your engagement and professionalism, contributing to productive discussions and decision-making.

While office etiquette training typically covers professional boundaries related to issues like gender, religion, and sexuality, it’s essential to respect your colleagues' time and personal space.

Just as there's good workplace etiquette, there are some things you should avoid. Mastering office etiquette might not be rocket science, but it's the key to a pleasant and productive work environment. It's about showing respect for your fellow workers and understanding the shared spaces where you all spend so much time.

To help you avoid these potential pitfalls, we've compiled a list of office behaviors you should avoid.

At the office, it's usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you're in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it's an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don't hesitate to let the right people know.

In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it's just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it's a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else's food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don't forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn't pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it's popping.

While it's great to stay fresh and clean at work, you'd typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.

In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It's a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.

Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn't want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.

Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it's all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.

Whether you're in an open office or a cubicle doesn't matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues' belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.

While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can't predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it's a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It's just safer and smoother that way.

Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it's a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It's a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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