A - Z MICRO IRRITATIONS: B - Biros that seem to work and then run out half way through a word
Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 9:30AM 
Overview
When you’ve started writing something with a biro and it seems to work perfectly fine for the first few words and then starts running out. Usually when you’re writing something important such as a message in a greetings card.
Symptoms
Frustration, characterised by sighing, followed by panicky dithering as you try to work out whether to persevere with that pen and whether anyone will mind that the ink got gradually more feint, or whether to get a new pen and write over the words you’ve already written to make it look consistent.
What causes it?
One of those things. But, also, foolhardiness. Pens should always be tried and tested before you use them for anything important.
Who is affected?
People who write with biros. People who throw caution to the wind.
Can it be avoided?
Yes. Give every pen a good, vigorous scribble before you risk using it to write in a greetings card. And make sure you have several of the same type of biro, so that if the worst happens, you can at least carry on seamlessly.
Related irritations
Yoghurt multipacks with the lids joined together
Dishwasher, slooshing sound
Reader Comments (1)
And this opens up the question of what people actually write when they're testing out biros. Do you go for an abstract scribble or write a word, even a phrase - and is it always the same one? I always opt for the self-reflexive 'does this pen work?'