Well, even grandpa knows where the plus and minus signs of batteries should go. But many gadgets nowadays don’t bother with the standard sizes, featuring their own custom-shaped rechargeable batteries.

Which is good of course. No need to spend money and pollute the environment with disposables. Yet it also means putting in the battery is less straightforward, especially for old fogeys like… my dad. Or perhaps you in a rare fit of senior-citizen forgetfulness.

So here are some tips: When unsure of how the battery goes in…

• Look for the metal contacts - More often than not, they provide a clue to the battery’s orientation.
• Don’t force things - Trying to stubbornly cram that battery in is a great way to destroy things.
• Read the manual - That’s why it’s in the box, right?

In short, properly putting batteries into your gadget is like asking for directions. Stubbornly insisting on a course without any additional info is a great way to waste time

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