# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1177 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1178 --- ## [Christmas gratuities to regular service providers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-gratuities-to-regular-service-providers/674091)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-gratuities-to-regular-service-providers/674091 "2013-12-16T02:32:36Z")
For those of you who have regular house cleaners (not a service like Merry Maids, but an individual), hairdressers, lawn caretakers, or any other service provider who performs a significant, regular personal service, wha… --- ## [Best classic vacuum tube/valve audio design book?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-classic-vacuum-tube-valve-audio-design-book/676330)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-classic-vacuum-tube-valve-audio-design-book/676330 "2013-12-16T02:32:33Z")
Nephew is a guitarist with a full ride at Tufts\*, working toward a BSEE with a minor in something like “electronics and music.” Ah-HAH! A relative with whom I share an interest, sorta! He lives far away and in past ye… --- ## [Windows xp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp/676429)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2013, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp/676429 "2013-12-16T01:57:59Z")
A thank you to the good people in Seattle for support for the OS, for the ideals and for sticking with patches and updates when the business model said MS shouldn’t. Sadly minus points for Vista and Win 8, sadly nobodie… --- ## [What to bring back from SE Asia ??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-bring-back-from-se-asia/676126)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-bring-back-from-se-asia/676126 "2013-12-16T01:36:40Z")
Brother and his wife are going to Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand for two weeks. Is there anything particular you would have them bring back if you were in my place? Anything particularly unique or inexpensive?? On th… --- ## [How many credit cards are too many?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-are-too-many/675885)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-are-too-many/675885 "2013-12-15T20:12:47Z")
I have a metric buttload of credit cards. I don’t know why honestly. I’m only 27 and I’ve managed to accumulate several. Bank Of America - 3 different credit cards. Two of them didn’t start out as BoA cards but have bee… --- ## [The avoided task](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avoided-task/676375)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avoided-task/676375 "2013-12-15T17:57:35Z")
In every workplace there is that one task that no one wants to do. In my workplace we have this machine that has an alarm go off when the contents inside are ready to be taken out and scanned, which no one bothers to tak… --- ## [Why Was The Nazi Leadership So Mediocre?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-nazi-leadership-so-mediocre/676103)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-nazi-leadership-so-mediocre/676103 "2013-12-15T17:17:19Z")
When you read the history of WWII, you realize that Hitler had some pretty bad people working for him For example: -Head of the Airforce (Goering): had been a unit commander in WWI-never promoted to general -Head of t… --- ## [Some Guy's Wife Newly Into BDSM, Can't Stop, Any Advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-guys-wife-newly-into-bdsm-cant-stop-any-advice/676169)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-guys-wife-newly-into-bdsm-cant-stop-any-advice/676169 "2013-12-15T08:33:18Z")
From this Closed Thread. The sock was not me. But I thought it was a valid question. What would you say to a person in that situation. \[QUOTE=Some Guy\] My wife and I have been together for nearly six years. When we we… --- ## [Mad Magazine's 20 Dumbest People, Events, and Things - 2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-magazines-20-dumbest-people-events-and-things-2013/676268)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-magazines-20-dumbest-people-events-and-things-2013/676268 "2013-12-15T07:01:02Z")
We’ve already had a thread about Time’s Person of the Year. Personally, though, I find Mad Magazine’s annual list to be much more interesting. Vote for your choice, argue for your choice, or suggest other choices. --- ## [liver cleansing and passing "stones"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liver-cleansing-and-passing-stones/676318)
**Author:** [@BleizDu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BleizDu)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liver-cleansing-and-passing-stones/676318 "2013-12-15T04:31:53Z")
So, we have this friend who is a massage therapist, and who is pretty woo-ish. A few days ago we spent a couple days at her house and my partner asked her what was for the colander in her bathroom. She said she likes t… --- ## [I'm going to play with your gift, ok?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300)
**Author:** [@genuinejon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/genuinejon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300 "2013-12-15T02:13:38Z")
Based on the book thread You got someone a book for Christmas, Ok to read it before giving it to them? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board, I think not. I play with the gifts I give frequently. Sometime… --- ## [Question for those using graphics softwate-Pagemaker, yep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-those-using-graphics-softwate-pagemaker-yep/676217)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-those-using-graphics-softwate-pagemaker-yep/676217 "2013-12-15T01:02:24Z")
So I have been doing this since 1992, and yes, that was the standard. I have CS3 now, soon to be updated to CS6, from what I hear. Problem is all those Pagemaker files. And they are a ton of the forms we use, and god onl… --- ## [Do you live in or know anyone that lives in a Sears Catalog Home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-live-in-or-know-anyone-that-lives-in-a-sears-catalog-home/675980)
**Author:** [@jrsone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrsone)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-live-in-or-know-anyone-that-lives-in-a-sears-catalog-home/675980 "2013-12-14T20:20:07Z")
I love the idea and concept of houses being shipped to you for you to build yourself. It would never work today (for various reasons) but it was a neat idea. --- ## [I don't understand why non-Turks like Ataturk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-non-turks-like-ataturk/676212)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-non-turks-like-ataturk/676212 "2013-12-14T18:49:25Z")
I understand why Turks like Mustafa Kemal Ataturk so much but I don’t understand why non-Turks like him as well. 1-) The government under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk massacred Kurds in Dersim. 2-) He used nationalism as a re… --- ## [What's the deal with 'black' Santas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-black-santas/675256)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-black-santas/675256 "2013-12-14T17:26:37Z")
This isn’t meant to be any kind of GD so please, nobody get their politically correct panties in a bunch. :smiley: Regarding the US at least, how often and where and when are black performers hired as Santas? I live in … --- ## [Chantix - ok for people with GAD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chantix-ok-for-people-with-gad/676154)
**Author:** [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chantix-ok-for-people-with-gad/676154 "2013-12-14T14:36:04Z")
Here is the scoop - I’ve been smoking for 23 years, about 10/day. I want to quit smoking and have tried (and failed) numerous other times with the patch, lozenges, etc. My (new) dr recently prescribed me Chantix. I’ve… --- ## [Computer-controlled paper cutters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-controlled-paper-cutters/672727)
**Author:** [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-controlled-paper-cutters/672727 "2013-12-14T06:15:06Z")
e.g. Silhouette, Cricut Does anyone have any experience with this kind of machines? I just discovered they make affordable ($200-300) paper cutters that can make pretty detailed cuts. This might actually be more useful … --- ## [What's the best way to buy legos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-buy-legos/675751)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-buy-legos/675751 "2013-12-14T05:20:18Z")
My kids love legos. I love legos for the way they make my kids think and engineer things. What’s the best way to buy them? brand new they are obscenely expensive. ebay doesn’t seem much better. any tips? --- ## [If you traveled into the past...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-traveled-into-the-past/676166)
**Author:** [@Qwertol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertol)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-traveled-into-the-past/676166 "2013-12-14T03:42:31Z")
If you traveled into the past, say medieval times, without any modern devices with you and without any books, only you and your mind, would you be able to advance the human race? What invention would you be able to build… --- ## [How do we best dump a time share?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-best-dump-a-time-share/604063)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-best-dump-a-time-share/604063 "2013-12-14T01:47:26Z")
My grandparents bought a time share in town, with the idea of trading it with others so they could visit other places. They’re gone, and no one wants it. We get an upkeep bill every year, but this thing is apparently the… --- ## [Are beads a 'thing'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-beads-a-thing/676249)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-beads-a-thing/676249 "2013-12-14T01:20:58Z")
I often see commercials for Shipwreck Beads, ‘The World’s Largest Selection of Beads’. OK, I get that a lot of people use beads. But I associate people buying beads (as opposed to manufacturers buying them) with arts-an… --- ## [Time Person of the Year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year/675921)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year/675921 "2013-12-14T00:10:43Z")
Vote in the poll for who want to win. Comment in the thread for whom you think will win if it’s not the same person. --- ## [Using eHealthInsurance.com to buy ACA coverage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-ehealthinsurance-com-to-buy-aca-coverage/676130)
**Author:** [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-ehealthinsurance-com-to-buy-aca-coverage/676130 "2013-12-13T00:43:47Z")
According to this (and from a test I just did), you can purchase a subsidy-qualifying and ACA compliant policy at eHealthInsurance.com. It even has an option to show you your subsidy. Has anyone done this? Does anyone… --- ## [Question for women who use locker rooms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-women-who-use-locker-rooms/676039 "2013-12-13T22:06:18Z")
On the advice of my doctor, I’ve recently joined a gym. It’s the fitness and aquatics center of the local college - very nice, new facility with one of the nicer locker rooms I’ve ever used. I’ve noticed a great many o… --- ## [Can someone here explain this rotten behavior to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-here-explain-this-rotten-behavior-to-me/675612)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-here-explain-this-rotten-behavior-to-me/675612 "2013-12-13T21:45:43Z")
Okay, I was at the donut shop an hour or so ago, having a danish. Mmmmmm… danish… Just as I was finishing, two older women walk in. Well, they didn’t quite walk\*\*\* in --\*\*\* they stopped just inside the doorway, and st… --- ## [Is there a way to find HS/MS teachers...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-hs-ms-teachers/676100)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-find-hs-ms-teachers/676100 "2013-12-13T20:09:45Z")
If you don’t have your yearbook, and don’t remember their full names? There are a couple of teachers that had major influences on my life, and I’d kind of like to look them up and see what they are doing these days. Whe… --- ## [Sigh. Wrecked car. Help me replace it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-wrecked-car-help-me-replace-it/675109)
**Author:** [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-wrecked-car-help-me-replace-it/675109 "2013-12-13T17:11:25Z")
So, on Wednesday, my wife and I went to lunch (we work together). On our way back to the office, someone tried to turn left in front of us while we were going around 45 MPH. He pulled out when we were under 30 feet from … --- ## [Why does vaccination attract so much opposition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-vaccination-attract-so-much-opposition/676004)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-vaccination-attract-so-much-opposition/676004 "2013-12-13T17:10:15Z")
Opposition to vaccination goes back about three centuries, the autism non-sense is just a recent version of an old phenomenon. It isn’t just limited to the US either, polio vaccination people have been killed in Pakistan… --- ## [Prius and other hybrid/EV owners - looking to buy soon and advice wanted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prius-and-other-hybrid-ev-owners-looking-to-buy-soon-and-advice-wanted/672403)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prius-and-other-hybrid-ev-owners-looking-to-buy-soon-and-advice-wanted/672403 "2013-12-13T17:10:11Z")
Looking to buy a Prius in the next week or two. We need a second car. Have 3 kids (13, 9 and 9) so need a roomy backseat. We’ve got a minivan now and sis in law has a Porsche Cayenne parked at our house that we use the 9… --- ## [So another girl turned me down after I asked her out. Wanna help me get over it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-another-girl-turned-me-down-after-i-asked-her-out-wanna-help-me-get-over-it/675512)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-another-girl-turned-me-down-after-i-asked-her-out-wanna-help-me-get-over-it/675512 "2013-12-13T16:48:11Z")
I’m obviously not devastated about it or anything, merely about as bummed as you can imagine somebody like me would be in this situation. Her response was (basically word-for-word here) “I can’t, but I’m flattered,” whi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1176) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1178)