# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1223 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1224 --- ## [Straight women: Does culinary or mechanical expertise make a man more attractive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-women-does-culinary-or-mechanical-expertise-make-a-man-more-attractive/669516)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-women-does-culinary-or-mechanical-expertise-make-a-man-more-attractive/669516 "2013-09-26T03:43:27Z")
Ladies, imagine that you’re being wooed\[sup\]\*\[/sup\] by two different men. Each man is your type (whatever that is) and is handsome, witty, and financially stable; and you, for purposes of this discussion, are single, ava… --- ## [What's the chances of Congress letting us get suckered into another Middle East War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-chances-of-congress-letting-us-get-suckered-into-another-middle-east-war/667975)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2013, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-chances-of-congress-letting-us-get-suckered-into-another-middle-east-war/667975 "2013-09-26T01:24:10Z")
I feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland going through the magic looking glass. Hanoi Jane’s pacifist buddy John Kerry is thumping the war drums? Even Nancy Pelosi the ultimate liberal is out for some Syrian blood? There’s… --- ## [Nail-filing tips for dummies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-filing-tips-for-dummies/669640)
**Author:** [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-filing-tips-for-dummies/669640 "2013-09-26T00:15:55Z")
I finally quit biting my nails after an entire lifetime of daily nibbling. :smiley: They’re starting to look pretty nice compared to how they’ve always looked, but I have no idea how to file them or what shape they shoul… --- ## [Losing my voice in a way](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-voice-in-a-way/669367)
**Author:** [@CarloBalsti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarloBalsti)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-voice-in-a-way/669367 "2013-09-25T22:01:46Z")
so for a few months now Ive not been quite able to sing very high. I’m sure here it’s petty and kind of dainty thing to complain for but regardless of what it is when you lose something of yourself it takes a toll. Right… --- ## [House or apartment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-or-apartment/669563)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-or-apartment/669563 "2013-09-25T21:40:37Z")
Quite simply, do you (primarily) live in a house or an apartment/condo? Poll options: I own a house I rent a house I own a condo I rent an apartment I own both (a house and a condo and I spend about the same amount… --- ## [How do you add homemade foods to your calorie apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-add-homemade-foods-to-your-calorie-apps/669645)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-add-homemade-foods-to-your-calorie-apps/669645 "2013-09-25T21:29:03Z")
I use Lose It! Which is a great calorie app, but I’m having trouble tracking dinners, which are almost always homemade in my house. For example on Sunday we roasted a chicken. I had a drumstick, rice, and gravy. Then the… --- ## [Responding to the polite "non-question"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/responding-to-the-polite-non-question/669384)
**Author:** [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/responding-to-the-polite-non-question/669384 "2013-09-25T21:25:35Z")
There is a social convention that bugs me, but maybe I have the wrong perspective. I call it the polite non-question because to me it seems that although it is framed as a question, it can only be answered one way polite… --- ## [Twin Cities Dopers: Relocation question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-cities-dopers-relocation-question/669603)
**Author:** [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-cities-dopers-relocation-question/669603 "2013-09-25T21:21:06Z")
Contrary to my long-term plans, I’m opting to relocate from Berkeley back to Saint Paul in order to avoid getting laid off. I’ve been looking at apartments on Craigslist, and I found one on Dayton’s Bluff that looks nice… --- ## [Are there better arch supports than Spenco brand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-better-arch-supports-than-spenco-brand/669618)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-better-arch-supports-than-spenco-brand/669618 "2013-09-25T21:06:20Z")
I have flat feet. Also, for reasons a podiatrist couldn’t figure out, I can’t stand very long without my feet, then eventually my legs and then back, hurting. I was recommended Spenco brand arch supports, and other peo… --- ## [My ear is plugged up and ringing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ear-is-plugged-up-and-ringing/669547)
**Author:** [@want2befree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2befree)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ear-is-plugged-up-and-ringing/669547 "2013-09-25T19:49:08Z")
My right ear has been plugged up and couple days later, ringing has ensued. I did some Googling and see all types of replies about how people have had this experience and seen a doctor and still no solution! I even read … --- ## [Why is the bottom of my foot numb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-bottom-of-my-foot-numb/626614)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-bottom-of-my-foot-numb/626614 "2013-09-25T18:09:21Z")
I have an appointment with my doc next week, you’re not doctors, I’m not looking for medical advice, blah blah blah. What I am looking for is ideas on why the ball of my foot, specifically the part closest to my big toe… --- ## [When and how will the US fall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-will-the-us-fall/669366)
**Author:** [@TashaKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TashaKitty)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-will-the-us-fall/669366 "2013-09-25T17:07:13Z")
Every empire in history has fallen, so it’s only a matter of time before the US does, too. What do you dopers think will cause its downfall and when? --- ## [Am I being an asshat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-being-an-asshat/669619)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-being-an-asshat/669619 "2013-09-25T16:52:30Z")
Neighbors have a new windchime-thing on their back porch. It’s not far from my window. It’s a pentatonic scale, but it’s made out of some kind of wood, so it sounds like a very primitive xylophone. Actually, as pentat… --- ## [The "all natural" miracle pain supplement and its ghost manufacturer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-all-natural-miracle-pain-supplement-and-its-ghost-manufacturer/669653)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-all-natural-miracle-pain-supplement-and-its-ghost-manufacturer/669653 "2013-09-25T16:33:46Z")
In honor of the poster in the colloidal silver thread (who claims that complaints about the product are an example of Big Medicine colluding to deny consumers a cheap and effective remedy), here’ s a classically shady st… --- ## [How are newer smartphones better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-newer-smartphones-better/669526)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-newer-smartphones-better/669526 "2013-09-25T15:31:22Z")
Hi, I have a Droid Incredible (released in 2010). It can take good pictures, provide great navigation, record notes via audio, and is fast all around. I’m curious what is better about a modern smartphone exactly. Can som… --- ## [Help me find a vacation house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-vacation-house/669616 "2013-09-25T13:32:28Z")
I’m looking for a vacation house that: Can sleep 21 people (ages 3 to 83) 8+ bedrooms (preferably all in the same house, but willing to consider houses with guest cottages) Pool (preferably) Cost: less than $12k for th… --- ## [For Dopers who went to college in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-dopers-who-went-to-college-in-the-us/669355)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-dopers-who-went-to-college-in-the-us/669355 "2013-09-25T11:52:53Z")
Is it standard on all campus during a regular semester that: T/Th classes are 75 minutes M/W/F classes are 50 minutes If not, what was your experience (If foreign educated Dopers want to weigh in, what’s your system) … --- ## [X-Ray required by Insurance Company for non-Medical Purposes (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-ray-required-by-insurance-company-for-non-medical-purposes-need-answer-fast/669304)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-ray-required-by-insurance-company-for-non-medical-purposes-need-answer-fast/669304 "2013-09-25T10:29:21Z")
After a way to long process of having a tooth removed, bone graft, rod implanted, abutment placed, my periodontist finished the whole thing up by adding a crown yesterday. I paid my $600+ co-pay and went on my merry way… --- ## [Driving time vs length of stay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-time-vs-length-of-stay/669487)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driving-time-vs-length-of-stay/669487 "2013-09-25T02:40:15Z")
What’s your basic rule of thumb for how long you are willing to drive for a short vacation? My basic rule of thumb is about 1hr of driving per day of vacation, meaning that I’ll drive about 3 hours for a three day weeke… --- ## [Ted Cruz' Academic Snobbishness v. the Fox News Demographic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-academic-snobbishness-v-the-fox-news-demographic/669521)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-academic-snobbishness-v-the-fox-news-demographic/669521 "2013-09-25T02:09:25Z")
This should be fun: Here’s what’s going to get Cruz in trouble with his fan base. It’s not the fact that he went to Princeton, and then on to Harvard Law. It’s that he’s looking down on people who went to lesser scho… --- ## [What's involved in setting up a network for a small business? (~20 PCs/Clients)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-involved-in-setting-up-a-network-for-a-small-business-20-pcs-clients/669606)
**Author:** [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-involved-in-setting-up-a-network-for-a-small-business-20-pcs-clients/669606 "2013-09-25T01:48:50Z")
My sister works for a non-profit that wants to set up a better wi-fi network in their office. Right now, they are running off a typical home networking wi-fi router, but it isn’t keeping up with their needs. They have … --- ## [Need a word for "person of faith"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-word-for-person-of-faith/669553)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-word-for-person-of-faith/669553 "2013-09-24T23:37:35Z")
So I used the word “churchgoer” in a piece of writing and one persnickety reader challenged it as being narrow and isolating. My intent is to include “being an actively religious person” in a list of nouns like parent, c… --- ## [Quick Questions About Dearborn, Michigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-questions-about-dearborn-michigan/669424)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-questions-about-dearborn-michigan/669424 "2013-09-24T20:36:25Z")
I am writing a story that has the city of Dearborn, Michigan figuring prominently in one chapter. Just wondering if anybody could give me some insight about the city. I have the basics from Google (population/average i… --- ## [The effectiveness of adverts(commercials)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effectiveness-of-adverts-commercials/669582)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effectiveness-of-adverts-commercials/669582 "2013-09-24T19:55:27Z")
How effective are they in influencing the people who watch them? Do people really see an advert and think ‘hmm I like that fridge so I’ll buy it even though I already have a fine one now.’ Or is it a more sort of insidio… --- ## [I got poisoned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-poisoned/669559)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-poisoned/669559 "2013-09-24T19:23:21Z")
Yesterday night I was up eating at my kitchen table with an 8 by 4 foot panelboard from Lowe’s about 5-6 feet away from me against the adjacent wall. I had purchased it for 14 dollars and planned on using it as a white b… --- ## [Do you sleep with your bedroom door closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-sleep-with-your-bedroom-door-closed/667640)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-sleep-with-your-bedroom-door-closed/667640 "2013-09-24T19:11:40Z")
When I was a kid, I closed my bedroom door to sleep. When I was in college and had roommates, I closed my bedroom door also, to avoid the possible noise of others moving around or just generally being awake while I trie… --- ## [Best phone cards for calling from USA to Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-phone-cards-for-calling-from-usa-to-europe/222723)
**Author:** [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-phone-cards-for-calling-from-usa-to-europe/222723 "2013-09-24T17:46:53Z")
Does anyone have any opinions on the best phone calling cards? We need to make calls to France and are at a loss; our phone service with Qwest is no bargain, nor is, especially, our Verizon cell phone. All the phone car… --- ## [Using the word "tranny" to describe a transsexual person. Mortally insulting or just annoying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-tranny-to-describe-a-transsexual-person-mortally-insulting-or-just-annoying/669409)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-word-tranny-to-describe-a-transsexual-person-mortally-insulting-or-just-annoying/669409 "2013-09-24T15:58:45Z")
Here on the dope the world “tranny” is considered to be extremely offensive, almost close to “n word” status if used in the context of describing a transsexual person. Based on that response I’d kind of gotten the vibe t… --- ## [Rich then or poor now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rich-then-or-poor-now/570477)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rich-then-or-poor-now/570477 "2013-09-24T13:52:26Z")
A magic widget tells you you can have 1 billion dollars right now. The catch? The money is waiting for you in 1911. If you accept you are instantly transported to that time and your life picks up from there (at whatever … --- ## [Mandatory office birthday lunches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-office-birthday-lunches/669362)
**Author:** [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-office-birthday-lunches/669362 "2013-09-24T13:39:34Z")
I’ll be temping for the next two months as an office manager of a lab. Besides me, there are nine chemical engineers working there. When someone has a birthday, everyone goes out for lunch together. Generally, one person… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1222) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1224)