Behavioral design 02: The "Reception Table"

This post follows up on the previous one about the "incense burner" and continues the theme of user guidance.

The "reception table" is the first step in the funeral visit process. Everyone who comes to pay their respects must register here before entering. At this table, someone sits and records the names and addresses of the visitors.

My relative's funeral took place while there were still Covid-19 regulations, and out of concern for the virus "crashing" the funeral, the family prepared two boxes of masks and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Initially, I didn't pay much attention because I was busy carrying trays of offerings and guiding people to the altar. However, at one point, I stood near the table and noticed that the two mask boxes remained untouched, even though they were open. A bit puzzled, I looked around and saw that everyone seemed to have their own masks, so I assumed that was why no one was taking any. From then on, I observed the groups of visitors more closely and found that even those without masks didn't reach for one, despite the boxes being right there on the table.

Now, if you look at the cover photo for this post, you can probably guess what I did. However, that photo shows the final step. After observing this behavior, I tried two things:

1. I opened two packs of masks (removing the plastic wrap - the black pack in the photo): This had no effect whatsoever. Still, no one, individually or in groups, took a mask.

2. I fully opened one box, as shown in the photo, removing the plastic wrap to reveal the masks inside and propping it up for easy access (the blue pack):  This is when people started taking masks. They took new ones, replaced their old masks, and even used the hand sanitizer. Suddenly, everyone seemed much more conscious of hygiene.

Lesson learned? Well, maybe not a lesson, more like personal experience... Instead of making people reach into the plastic bag and fumble for a mask, I saved those steps by laying them out for easy access. And with the conditioned reflex developed during the first year of the Covid pandemic, they automatically reached for the hand sanitizer next to it.

To sum it up, when designing any product, think more about your "users." If you can save them a few steps, don't make them think about how to use your product.