Have you ever taken advice given you on the SDMB?

[Mississippienne]

This was prompted by a Doper in a 'Name My Baby' thread that advice or what-should-I-do? threads are useless because the person who asks for it never takes the advice, and instead goes and does whatever they really wanted to do in the first place.

I was thinking about this, and remembered a thread I posted way back when I was still nichol_storm about how I was depressed over my boyfriend dumping me, and another guy tried to hook up with me. I was so down and out I was seriously considering it, but asked for advice. The overwhelming majority of replies told me not to do it, or at least to decide on a clear mind. I did a search but couldn't find this thread in the archives.

I never had sex with him. Would I had I not asked the SDMB? There's no way for me to know what I would have chosen. But the Dopers said loud and clear what I needed to hear -- that this guy was trying to take advantage of me, and that I deserved better than some sleazy booty call. In a way I already knew this, but I needed to hear it from an unbiased source, someone who could look at the situation from the outside and say, "This guy is no good for you."

So there. One example of heeding Doper advice. I believe it worked out for the best, too.

[WhyNot]

I found out about the Amby Baby Hammock in a "What Do I Need For a Baby" thread about 10 weeks ago. It's not sold in any store I've seen, so I wouldn't have found out about it without The Dope. It serves our needs perfectly, including the need for a truly portable baby sleeper that can be used on rough ground for a two week camping trip with an 8 week old baby.

And this week I found out I could freeze my leftover wine for cooking!

I don't think I'll post a "Do you like this baby name" thread, though. The answer is inevitably "NO!" and it really only matters if I like this baby name.

[Metacom]

I recently asked for advice on questions I should ask when buying land--I asked pretty much all the questions people suggested (exception for "Is it an Indian burial ground?". I'd already done research on it, so it wasn't like I was relying exclusively on the SDMB, but they mentioned a couple things I hadn't thought of, and the advice was certainly appreciated.

[Rashak Mani]

I bought two books recommended to me on a "Human Evolution" thread... haven't read them yet though to say if the advice was well given.

I suppose most of the time people just need reinforcement of what they probably are likely to do anyway. Getting some opinions helps us feel more confident about our own decisions in a way.

[Shade]

I've sometimes got some good advice, such as on how to share rent with unequally sized rooms. More often I've thought "I should ask someone that. But they'd just say 'blah'. Wait, maybe I *should* blah... Cool."

[norinew]

Yes! The reason I ask Dopers for advice is that they are, collectively, the brightest, wittiest, most thought provoking group of people I've ever known. I've had much trouble with my oldest daughter the past couple of years, and advice from other Dopers has helped a lot.

[El_Kabong]

I've been advised to get stuffed a couple of times, but haven't quite got round to it yet.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

I've read several very good books, resolved computer problems, & vastly improved my resume.

[Happy Scrappy Hero Pup]

I burned someone's dog.

Now I can't get bonded for jobs.

[Voyager]

My wife's computer got a virus a year back that I removed thanks to advice on GQ which was right on.

[Elysian]

I bought some running shoes off of someone's recommendation. They are really nice, too.

I've made thicker chicken noodle soup with the help of people in Cafe Society. I've also made a couple of recipes people have posted.

I've listened to music, played computer games, and read books that people have recommended.

There's been more. I just think of this as my own personal Life reference.

[akennett]

I've taken some advice given on the SDMB, both in answer to my own questions and that of others. This has come on a wide variety of topics, and from a large number of dopers. I cherry picked the advice I've taken, but so far all that I've chosen to follow has been good.

[Eonwe]

Sure. One time in particular I remember a few years back I was going on a business trip to Kansas City. No one wanted to dopefest, sadly, but I printed out about 10 pages of suggestions of places to go and things to see, which I used extensively.

[tremorviolet]

Yeah, I posted a Pit thread where I was having a major meltdown because my boss had asked me to do some cold calling (the idea of which scares the crap out of me). And encouragements to buck up and just do it with out freaking helped some...

And everytime there's a thread on some really cool gadget, I often rush out and get one. (I'm such a sheep) That's how I got my nifty, state-of-the-art, computerized Japanese rice cooker...

[Evil Captor]

I've posted questions on GQ and gotten some very good, useful advice, which I have used. I'm still not convinced that apatosaurs' size were enough to protect them from allosaurs and such, but otherwise, very useful information and ideas.

[The Devil's Grandmother]

I have not asked many specific questions, but I’ve had my mind changed on some small topics, like I did make a bridal registry when I got married (something I always thought was tacky, but some dopers had some good reasons for having one).

[Walker in Eternity]

Originally Posted by Evil Captor

I've posted questions on GQ and gotten some very good, useful advice, which I have used. I'm still not convinced that apatosaurs' size were enough to protect them from allosaurs and such, but otherwise, very useful information and ideas.

Except for the apatosaur thread which I haven't read I agree. I recently asked for advice about a move to Manchester (UK) and recieved some very welcome advice. Other tha that I like to think that reading the debates here makes me think about the other side an argument.

[twickster]

I don't think I've ever asked for "life" advice -- but I've gotten a slew of great recommendations for books and music.

[Draelin]

I got great advice on how to let a guy down after two dates and how best to go about quitting my job without ruining all future job prospects. You have to pick and choose the advice you take, but that's common sense, which a surprising number of people around here seem to have.

[Ephemera]

I've asked about credit cards and how to start making a life for yourself when you first start living on your own and gotten good advice.

And a year ago, Eonwe gave me the idea that I could move out of state if I really wanted to with an offhand comment and that eventually blossomed into me moving 2,500 miles from home.

So, yeah. A bit.

[Cervaise]

Well, I was gonna fry up a mess of semen...

[TheLoadedDog]

Dunno if I've ever asked for or taken actual advice as such - at least not in the "handy hints" sense, but I've learned a whole buttload of stuff, and I've been pointed in the direction of countless great web sites etc.

Unless being told to "fuck off" counts as advice.

[luluBahrain]

Originally Posted by Cervaise

Well, I was gonna fry up a mess of semen...

On that note, I have learned that fish thrive off the stuff.

[Bippy the Beardless]

I've used plenty of the advice I received or read here. One specific case was in chosing the best pool cue in my price range for my Nephew for last Christmas. I have followed up on many suggested movies and music to try.
So thanks dopers.

[dare_devil007_]

Well, I've asked on advice on how to talk this guy I like and I'd like to take it, but my own shyness is holding me back.

[Plan B]

Almost every time I've asked.

For me this board has been great. There's a lot of stuff I don't know that can't be looked up at Google. This board is almost like having a omniscient older sibling or parent around.

OTOH when I've impulsively posted at GD I've been rewarded with advice that wouldn't quite be possible even if I were inclined.

[WeRSauron]

I've asked personal questions and brought up personal issues, and all threads have affected me. I take each response into consideration.

As a matter of fact, as a result of a few recent threads, I have become somewhat changed. My social life has been completely reorganized, and my confidence has risen significantly. I have certain plans in mind, thanks to those threads.

WRS

[Shirley Ujest]

Yes.

Just the other day, when I came across the time machine that I had misplaced, I decided to go back 200 years and take with me an apache helicopter, hummer and a knitting machine.

[don't ask]

I have tried to follow BBQ Pit advice but you can't do it to yourself.

[Maastricht]

Oh yes. Tons of book recommendations where I've ordered and read the sites and books. I ordered a creditcard (creditcards are't the usual Dutch form of payment) mainly to order English books at Amazon.

In an indirect way, I learnt a lot of social skills; how our behavior affects others. I got these mainly from Pit-threads I don't post in. more then once, I had to blush in shame and resolved to change my own behavior.

On a more practical note, I've bought a pressure cooker (and love it) and Ianzin's maple-syrup/lemonjuice lemonade has become a favourite.

[slortar]

I discovered the joys of Tim Powers and natural peanut butter because of this board, although not in combination.

Quite a few other things, as well--it's becoming a habit for me to jot down interesting things I've gleened from following these boards.

[Hampshire]

This past summer I received a piece of mail that said I had $3000 of unclaimed money. All they wanted was $60 of it and a copy of my DL and SS card.
I thought it was a scam for sure as others did but Random posted a link that I used to discover I actually did have $3000 coming to me.

see here.

[grayhairedmomma]

Originally Posted by Hampshire

This past summer I received a piece of mail that said I had $3000 of unclaimed money. All they wanted was $60 of it and a copy of my DL and SS card.
I thought it was a scam for sure as others did but Random posted a link that I used to discover I actually did have $3000 coming to me.

see here.

Hey! Because of your post in this thread, I just found out that someone owes me a little money in VA. Yay! Not much - but hey it's mine.

Thanks!

[glee]

Since I read one of Cecil's columns, I keep my toothbrush in a cabinet (as well as lowering the seat before flushing).

[lieu]

I've followed quite a bit of the advice actually. Diagnosing PC problems, firearm recommendations, termites, car problem, etc. With the exception of one resort recommendation they've all turned out very well.

[BiblioCat]

Not actual advice, but I've read at least a dozen books recommended by others in CS threads.

[CynicalGabe]

Yes, except for the advice for me to go to hell. Still trying to book a ticket.

[START]

A few times I did in a way, maybe not exactly but I have been influenced by the advice on the SDMB. I even made a thread about "taking doper advice" once.