# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1005 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1006 --- ## [How do you pronounce the name "Caitlin"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-the-name-caitlin/702350)
**Author:** [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-the-name-caitlin/702350 "2014-10-30T12:15:07Z")
Just a poll. More info later, but I don’t want to poison the poll results right now. --- ## [Where should I go over winter break?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-i-go-over-winter-break/702831)
**Author:** [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-i-go-over-winter-break/702831 "2014-10-30T12:10:29Z")
I can take up to 3.5 weeks off this winter (Dec. 8 – Jan. 2), and I’d like to find somewhere special to go. Because I’m in the US and would like to keep time spent recovering from jet lag to a minimum, I’d like to stick… --- ## [How would the country you live in handle an ebola outbreak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-country-you-live-in-handle-an-ebola-outbreak/702981)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-country-you-live-in-handle-an-ebola-outbreak/702981 "2014-10-30T08:12:28Z")
I’ll go first. Trinidad&Tobago, probably very poorly. Fairly wealthy small nation, but the systematic decades long gutting of the universal healthcare system by politicians would be the downfall. While the nation as a … --- ## [Why are cakes in the grocery store so gawd damned expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-cakes-in-the-grocery-store-so-gawd-damned-expensive/701182)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-cakes-in-the-grocery-store-so-gawd-damned-expensive/701182 "2014-10-30T06:29:15Z")
A cake made with some cake mix and a can of frosting even with some fancy goop to spell out “happy birthday” is about $5 max. So why does the same cake in a plastic pan cost $29 at the grocery store. WTF? Convenience … --- ## [It's official: Obama isn't taking the ebola threat seriously.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-official-obama-isnt-taking-the-ebola-threat-seriously/701589)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-official-obama-isnt-taking-the-ebola-threat-seriously/701589 "2014-10-30T05:39:13Z")
So today, President Obama announced he’s naming an “Ebola czar”. He’s a guy named Ron Klain. It was immediately noted that Klain has no medial background of any kind; he’s Joe Biden’s former chief of staff. Way to pho… --- ## [Scotland: When to go? What to see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotland-when-to-go-what-to-see/702274)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotland-when-to-go-what-to-see/702274 "2014-10-30T04:53:31Z")
I have always yearned to visit the ancestral homeland. I have decided to make it happen before another two years pass. Question is when to go? What to see? I and my traveling companion are both recovering alcoholics… --- ## [Has anyone used a travel agent in this decade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-used-a-travel-agent-in-this-decade/702641)
**Author:** [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-used-a-travel-agent-in-this-decade/702641 "2014-10-30T04:50:07Z")
General questiosn: Are they useful? Do you actually get a decent deal? Wouldn’t the travel agent’s fees make up for whatever discount you get? Specifics: I’m starting to plan a one-way, multi-stop international trip. I’… --- ## [When is a car more than a car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-car-more-than-a-car/702650)
**Author:** [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-car-more-than-a-car/702650 "2014-10-30T01:28:39Z")
There are cars, then there are brands that are a “thing” above and beyond just being a car. I don’t know if I can explain it any better than just with examples. If a guy arrives in a Toyota Corolla, he just “drove his … --- ## [considering NOT getting garbage pick up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/considering-not-getting-garbage-pick-up/702205 "2014-10-30T00:20:11Z")
I just called the local company that picks up the garbage and was not impressed. the employee really wanted a bunch of info when I thought we could just talk price and\* then\* I’d give them my info. I told her I had very … --- ## [I think that survival kits should have suicide tools.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-that-survival-kits-should-have-suicide-tools/702715)
**Author:** [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-that-survival-kits-should-have-suicide-tools/702715 "2014-10-29T23:07:22Z")
I honestly think that a survival kit - something that someone would bring on hiking, cave exploring, adventuring, etc etc etc, and to be found on a boat, for instance… should have something to cause a quick and painless … --- ## [Amtrak Coast Starlight - anyone taken this route?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amtrak-coast-starlight-anyone-taken-this-route/702764)
**Author:** [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amtrak-coast-starlight-anyone-taken-this-route/702764 "2014-10-29T23:05:21Z")
Thinking about taking the Coast Starlight from San Francisco (technically Oakland) to Seattle. Is it interesting? It’s an awfully long ride - 22 hours. How interesting would it actually be? We’d get a roomette. --- ## [Has anyone threw away an expensive thing to find out it was worth a lot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-threw-away-an-expensive-thing-to-find-out-it-was-worth-a-lot/702607)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-threw-away-an-expensive-thing-to-find-out-it-was-worth-a-lot/702607 "2014-10-29T22:18:54Z")
A while back when we were moving to another home, we got rid of a ton of stuff at our old apartment. One of the things we had was this very very old recordplayer and it was also a radio and cassette player. Its one of … --- ## [You think the current generation (under 30) has the vaguest idea what Lighting Up the Phones means?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-think-the-current-generation-under-30-has-the-vaguest-idea-what-lighting-up-the-phones-means/702622)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-think-the-current-generation-under-30-has-the-vaguest-idea-what-lighting-up-the-phones-means/702622 "2014-10-29T18:52:07Z")
Lighting up the Phones - what does it mean? I’ll spoiler the answer. Did you get it right? --- ## [What is this old structure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-old-structure/702546)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-old-structure/702546 "2014-10-29T15:24:39Z")
A line of small square rooms of some sort. Maybe 10’ to 12’ to a side. Half buried, and just a door in each. I would say the ruins of old dungeons, but that’s probably not it :slight\_smile: Streetview of same. --- ## [Your talented, beautiful actress friend asks your advice about sexing up her image. What do you say?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-talented-beautiful-actress-friend-asks-your-advice-about-sexing-up-her-image-what-do-you-say/702683)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-talented-beautiful-actress-friend-asks-your-advice-about-sexing-up-her-image-what-do-you-say/702683 "2014-10-29T07:30:58Z")
We’re back to hypotheticals, goodmen & goodwives, though probably not a poll. If you don’t like these, try the game room or something. Imagine that you’ve become friends with Karen, an actress & singer in her early 20s… --- ## [Ford/Pedego electric bike.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-pedego-electric-bike/702635)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-pedego-electric-bike/702635 "2014-10-29T06:29:49Z")
Here’s thestory. Here’s thevideo. Looks cool. Thoughts? --- ## ['Do not call' evasion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-evasion/702697)
**Author:** [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-evasion/702697 "2014-10-29T03:20:23Z")
Got a recorded call on my landline. “Please call this number for an important business matter.” I did not, googled the number and it apparently is a collection agency for medical bills. If I called them, then would they … --- ## [Charlie Country - any recommendations for a family of five going to Viet Nam at Xmas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-country-any-recommendations-for-a-family-of-five-going-to-viet-nam-at-xmas/702536)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-country-any-recommendations-for-a-family-of-five-going-to-viet-nam-at-xmas/702536 "2014-10-29T02:12:52Z")
So, China Wife is revisiting the idea of going to 'Nam as part of a family trip at Xmas and to go somewhere tropical since we now live in the wet Pacific Northwest. Not sure if we will actually go but I always hate to be… --- ## [What can I do with a 50 year old encyclopedia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-a-50-year-old-encyclopedia/701830)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-a-50-year-old-encyclopedia/701830 "2014-10-29T00:23:20Z")
I’m slowly trying to declutter my home and have decided to get rid of an 1965 Britannica encyclopedia set. I can’t imagine that anyone would want to use this now that we have the internet. Any suggestions on what I ca… --- ## [Where to buy cheap small women's clothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-buy-cheap-small-womens-clothing/702707)
**Author:** [@Miss\_Gnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Gnomer)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-buy-cheap-small-womens-clothing/702707 "2014-10-28T21:38:40Z")
I previously was obese, got sick, lost a huge amount of weight, now sitting at the lower end of normal BMI but not underweight … and I can’t find small enough clothes. I don’t want to talk to my friends about this becau… --- ## [What's this horrid smell--chlorine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-horrid-smell-chlorine/702786)
**Author:** [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-horrid-smell-chlorine/702786 "2014-10-28T21:18:11Z")
For the past three weeks or so, almost every night starting around 11 PM, a thick, nasty smell has drifted in from outside. It’s something like an over-chlorinated indoor pool, with an overtone of corn chips. Basically… --- ## [Stopped taking vitamins but now getting pimples](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stopped-taking-vitamins-but-now-getting-pimples/702761)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stopped-taking-vitamins-but-now-getting-pimples/702761 "2014-10-28T20:40:53Z")
Since this is not life or death medical question, I’m hoping for some dermatological advice here. About 6 months ago, I started reading some negative articles about taking multi-vitamins. I decided to quit taking my on… --- ## [Ideas for flexible gutters.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-flexible-gutters/702521)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-flexible-gutters/702521 "2014-10-28T20:06:02Z")
I have a porth with a curved (a gentle S curve) roof. Metal gutters would cost around 5K. They would be beautiful but way too expensive. Does anyone have any ideas for materials that I could fashion into gutters? --- ## [American smokers making 30K a year or less spend 1/7 to 1/4 of their income on... cigarettes?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-smokers-making-30k-a-year-or-less-spend-1-7-to-1-4-of-their-income-on-cigarettes/702298)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-smokers-making-30k-a-year-or-less-spend-1-7-to-1-4-of-their-income-on-cigarettes/702298 "2014-10-28T17:54:54Z")
I was reading this Vice articlewhich referenced this study showing that even in these days of declining smoking a huge chunk of underclass income goes toward cigarettes. Of US smokers making less than $ 30,000 per year … --- ## [How do you explain religion to kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-explain-religion-to-kids/701800)
**Author:** [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-explain-religion-to-kids/701800 "2014-10-28T16:46:14Z")
Some background. I’m a pretty solid agnostic living in what may be one of the most agnostic country on Earth (Japan). As such, religion does not play an important part in my children’s lives. As a matter of fact, it play… --- ## [What to do with "heirlooms"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-heirlooms/702578)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-heirlooms/702578 "2014-10-28T13:53:43Z")
My grandparents on both sides of the family are long gone. After each grandmother died, I was given items that had been theirs. Unfortunately, these “heirlooms” are meaningless to me. From my paternal grandmother, I’v… --- ## [Anyone thinking about getting the new Kindle Voyage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-thinking-about-getting-the-new-kindle-voyage/701975)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-thinking-about-getting-the-new-kindle-voyage/701975 "2014-10-28T09:38:36Z")
Anyone thinking about getting the new Kindle Voyage? I’m thinking about getting it as I read recreationally about 2 hours per day. The higher resolution, better contrast and lighting look appealing. I’m not looking for … --- ## [Can I increase the centre bore on some rims I just bought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-increase-the-centre-bore-on-some-rims-i-just-bought/702700)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-increase-the-centre-bore-on-some-rims-i-just-bought/702700 "2014-10-28T08:10:55Z")
My rims have a 67.1 mm centre bore. I bought some winter tires on rims with 64.1 mm centre bore. Otherwise they fit fine. I was going to take them in and get them changed from their rims onto my rims, but 3 mm isn’t a… --- ## [Is joining mensa worth it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joining-mensa-worth-it/702359)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joining-mensa-worth-it/702359 "2014-10-28T01:15:39Z")
I know there were some threads about this a while back, and most of them said mensa members skewed heavily to the 40+ side age wise. Is this still true? I’ve known a few people who were in mensa and dropped out because… --- ## [If you could take a free week's beach vacation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-take-a-free-weeks-beach-vacation/702642)
**Author:** [@Mr.Natural](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Natural)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-take-a-free-weeks-beach-vacation/702642 "2014-10-28T00:58:47Z")
which location would you choose? And yes, I do know you’d prefer Barbados or The Bahamas, but which of these two? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1004) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1006)