builds something I’m proud to sign my name on. Actually makes a difference in peoples’ lives. Has smart, humble coworker(s).
So, the usual.

But most of all, cares enough to not do (s).
5 item(s) loading.
Uploading 3 image(s).
1 user(s) added.
15 minute(s) remaining.

To me, software should feel like an extension of the user.
Talk to me like I’m used to. Be familiar, be approachable. I want to feel like you care about helping me. Not “me” as in “all the prospective 99,99,999 users”, but “me” specifically.

Users shouldn’t feel like they’ve been dropped into a cookie cutter template - a cold, hard reminder that this is clunky, soulless machinery removed from their world.

Would a chef who takes pride in their work go through the pain of setting the table, understanding the patron, figuring out the breakfast they love, making the fluffiest pancakes in the world, cream and blueberries exactly the way they like it…but then carelessly serve it with a straw?!

How did it go through every function in your company, and nobody cared?

You know how many items are loading.
You know if it’s exactly 1.

(minutes == 1) ? "minute" : "minutes"

I get it, it’s more code. Too trivial. It’s extra work if you support i18n.

But it’s okay.
You can’t have your UI disrespecting the thoughtful engineering you have under the hood. People notice.
So please, just write it.

Am I overreacting? Maybe.
But if I’m part of the org, I’m signing my name on it - and I care too much!