# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1253 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1254 --- ## [What is semi-formal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-semi-formal/664959)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-semi-formal/664959 "2013-08-07T22:22:08Z")
My wife and I have just been invited to a wedding in Florida in November and the invite requests that guests wear semi-formal. I’ve just spent a fair bit of time Googling this and can’t find anything consistent. Do any o… --- ## [fighting ignorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-ignorance/665519)
**Author:** [@Dwindlehop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dwindlehop)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-ignorance/665519 "2013-08-07T21:24:28Z")
Has the internet contributed to the fight against ignorance? Specifically, has the percentage of really dopey questions sent to the Straight Dope changed at all over the decades? I ask because the “echo chamber” effect … --- ## [Anyone interested in helping me to review my new PC specs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-interested-in-helping-me-to-review-my-new-pc-specs/665598)
**Author:** [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-interested-in-helping-me-to-review-my-new-pc-specs/665598 "2013-08-07T20:29:44Z")
So my current PC is dying, and it is quite out of date - 3 years and some months old. The graphics card is also giving out, so I figure it may be time to build a new one. Here’s the specs: \[ul\] \[li\]Mobo/CPU: H87M Plus\[… --- ## [Which house to buy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-house-to-buy/665363)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-house-to-buy/665363 "2013-08-07T19:57:15Z")
You have a choice between two houses; they are in comparable neighborhoods, both have 3 beds, 2 baths. Let’s assume they are both structurally sound. House A pros: ideal location, brand new interior (including all new … --- ## [The Tories are adding more subsidies for house buyers, what could possibly go wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tories-are-adding-more-subsidies-for-house-buyers-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/665151)
**Author:** [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tories-are-adding-more-subsidies-for-house-buyers-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/665151 "2013-08-07T19:46:07Z")
The plan is for the govt to guarantee mortgages for people who can only raise a 5% deposit. There is already something similar in place for first time buyers. Seriously? They think what the housing market needs is more d… --- ## [Any teeth/jaw "clenchers?" Besides me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-teeth-jaw-clenchers-besides-me/652531)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-teeth-jaw-clenchers-besides-me/652531 "2013-08-07T16:20:24Z")
I wear a mouth guard at nite, but god help me, when I am very stressed at work, as I have been the last 2 days, I come home with a really sore jaw, which I know means I have been clenching all day. And other times as wel… --- ## [Wondering about Can Am Spyder type motorcycles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wondering-about-can-am-spyder-type-motorcycles/664592)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wondering-about-can-am-spyder-type-motorcycles/664592 "2013-08-07T16:16:55Z")
I really wasn’t sure if this should go in GD or here. Mods, feel free to move this where it’s most appropriate. I’ve seen those Can Am Spyder type motorcycles; 2 wheels in front and one in back. What I’m wondering is WH… --- ## [Twenty one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-one/665539)
**Author:** [@slm2955](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slm2955)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-one/665539 "2013-08-07T15:27:56Z")
This might sound like a dumb question but just looking for some validation… Is the age twenty one not the age of a legal ADULT? As in if someone tells you todo something and you don’t because you’re an ADULT capable of m… --- ## [Hyperthyroid Cat: Have you tried the "ear rub" medication?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperthyroid-cat-have-you-tried-the-ear-rub-medication/664148)
**Author:** [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperthyroid-cat-have-you-tried-the-ear-rub-medication/664148 "2013-08-07T15:09:02Z")
If so, what did you think. Here’s the scenario. Our cat Ashes had lost weight and when tested her thyroid was through the muthafuckin roof. On one test where “normal” is 2.5, she came back 20.9. My vet put her on 1 pil… --- ## [If you could bring one person from history to the present day, who would it be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-bring-one-person-from-history-to-the-present-day-who-would-it-be/665392)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-bring-one-person-from-history-to-the-present-day-who-would-it-be/665392 "2013-08-07T14:19:47Z")
Inspired by this thread. Much as I’d love to bring Shakespeare here and get his reaction to the idea that his works are classics that are still being produced, my first choice would be Hitler. Mostly to ask him “What th… --- ## [Suppose We Could Engineer a Cold Tolerant Mangrove Tree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-we-could-engineer-a-cold-tolerant-mangrove-tree/665579)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-we-could-engineer-a-cold-tolerant-mangrove-tree/665579 "2013-08-07T13:40:07Z")
The (tropical) mangrove tree is a very important part of coastal ecology-this tree lives in salt water, and it accomplishes many things: -it protects the coasts from erosion -its roots are used by shellfish for attach… --- ## [How much do you need to lose to reach your ideal weight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-need-to-lose-to-reach-your-ideal-weight/664916)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-need-to-lose-to-reach-your-ideal-weight/664916 "2013-08-07T04:03:42Z")
I’ve got a long, boring road of diet and exercise ahead of me (gluttony and sloth are so much more fun…) and I’m curious how far everyone else has to go. Misery loves company and all that. Define “ideal weight” however… --- ## [Going in for a sleep study. What can I expect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-in-for-a-sleep-study-what-can-i-expect/664951)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-in-for-a-sleep-study-what-can-i-expect/664951 "2013-08-07T03:53:59Z")
So I was given an appointment to have a sleep study in the future for possible sleep apnea. Never had one before…what’s it like? I know, I know…you basically sleep in a room while someone monitors you. Simple as…but, fr… --- ## [Favourite funerals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-funerals/665326)
**Author:** [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-funerals/665326 "2013-08-07T03:18:51Z")
I have two questions: Considering that funerals are usually sad occasions, is it weird to have a favourite funeral? Did you have a favourite funeral? If so, what made it your favourite? --- ## [How many biological children do you have or you think you'll have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-biological-children-do-you-have-or-you-think-youll-have/665126)
**Author:** [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-biological-children-do-you-have-or-you-think-youll-have/665126 "2013-08-07T03:15:50Z")
The maximum number that you think you will have biologically. Only biological not adopted. In case of IVT, please take for men, donor-sperm as non-biological and for women, donor-egg as non-biological. If you are a pro… --- ## [Cat question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-question/665393)
**Author:** [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-question/665393 "2013-08-07T03:00:12Z")
Maybe TMI for the squeamish? Years ago I started pet sitting for a client who had two cats. I’ll call them Tom and Dick. They were nice but shy cats. Usually I never saw them but the food was gone and the litter was … --- ## [Do you know the difference between a motel and a hotel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-the-difference-between-a-motel-and-a-hotel/665498)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-the-difference-between-a-motel-and-a-hotel/665498 "2013-08-07T01:47:43Z")
I always thought this was one of those questions kids asked before they were 10 and then knew the answer to for the rest of their lives. I was really suprised the other day when riding with my in-laws (both in their 50s… --- ## [Do I need bifocals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-bifocals/665530)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-bifocals/665530 "2013-08-07T01:33:38Z")
I’ll start out by saying I’m 33 and male. My mom, when I asked her about this, said she had got glasses for reading in her thirties (late thirties I think) and my dad got cataracts in his late 40s\*. So I’m guessing tha… --- ## [Virus or Malware?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virus-or-malware/665386)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virus-or-malware/665386 "2013-08-07T00:24:31Z")
Yesterday I opened an e email telling me a package could not be delivered and gave me a tracking number. I had a package overdue so assumed this is what it was. My computer was instantly taken over telling me I needed to… --- ## [Is it unethical for a single young woman to trade sex for services?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unethical-for-a-single-young-woman-to-trade-sex-for-services/664225)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unethical-for-a-single-young-woman-to-trade-sex-for-services/664225 "2013-08-06T23:48:58Z")
Let’s say you have a young, single woman who does not make much money. Her car which she requires to get to work needs a few hundred dollars worth of parts and work to keep running. Her credit is not good and she cannot … --- ## [Which Fitness Classes Would You Take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fitness-classes-would-you-take/664831)
**Author:** [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-fitness-classes-would-you-take/664831 "2013-08-06T23:10:39Z")
If you had to choose one type of fitness class to take, which would you choose? --- ## [What is the "most unusual" language you speak or are learning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-unusual-language-you-speak-or-are-learning/665435)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-unusual-language-you-speak-or-are-learning/665435 "2013-08-06T22:33:02Z")
Everybody here speaks English. Many of us speak one of the main languages of the world. I would like to know whether many people here speak (or are learning) some of the “off-the-wall” languages from this planet of ours… --- ## [Throbbing pain in knees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throbbing-pain-in-knees/665474)
**Author:** [@Robertfchew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robertfchew)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throbbing-pain-in-knees/665474 "2013-08-06T21:32:29Z")
I don’t ever have issues or grinding or discomfort in my knees except after a run/hike/and to a lesser extent leg workouts. I notice it more in cold weather but once I’m done they throb for 10-15 min. I have a paranoia o… --- ## [Video Interview Experiences, Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-interview-experiences-please/665521)
**Author:** [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-interview-experiences-please/665521 "2013-08-06T19:42:38Z")
I am supposed to do a video interview this week for a tech job at a giant local firm. Until Monday I had no idea this was even a thing in recruiting. I tried to do it this morning and my anxiety disorder came out so stro… --- ## [How many days in a week do you have dinner cooked in your home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-days-in-a-week-do-you-have-dinner-cooked-in-your-home/665394)
**Author:** [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-days-in-a-week-do-you-have-dinner-cooked-in-your-home/665394 "2013-08-06T17:26:51Z")
Give us the rounded-off average. Like if you eat home-made dinner 5.5 days a week on average then vote 6 days, for 5.4 days, vote for 5 days. You can also tell what type of cuisine you like to order or go out to eat. Yo… --- ## [I need help with a shirt for my wedding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-with-a-shirt-for-my-wedding/665403)
**Author:** [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-help-with-a-shirt-for-my-wedding/665403 "2013-08-06T17:00:41Z")
When I was a kid most of my friends’ dads had party shirts that they wore to formal events that would end up being a big party and I’d like one for my wedding. What is a party shirt, you ask, it is a formal shirt designe… --- ## [Monkubines: a business proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monkubines-a-business-proposal/505247)
**Author:** [@SmashTheState](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmashTheState)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monkubines-a-business-proposal/505247 "2013-08-06T16:52:29Z")
For years I have bored my friends with talk about an idea which I am certain would be worth billions if it could be pulled off. They all think I’m totally insane. So, I am here to lay my proposal before SD, so that the… --- ## [Master/post-grad decision time: need advice!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/master-post-grad-decision-time-need-advice/665388)
**Author:** [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/master-post-grad-decision-time-need-advice/665388 "2013-08-06T16:45:36Z")
After figuring out that theatre doesn’t really lead anywhere (:() I decided I needed some more uni. I’ve been accepted onto several courses that are pretty good, but now I’m having trouble with how to decide between them… --- ## [Anyone playing with the Leap Motion controller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-playing-with-the-leap-motion-controller/665441)
**Author:** [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-playing-with-the-leap-motion-controller/665441 "2013-08-06T14:59:06Z")
I’m curious about this. The apps in their App Store look pretty dire as of yet, but the concept is fascinating. Hard to believe hat nobody is offering a Theremin yet. I really, really want an app to use Sketch-Up with i… --- ## [Standard starting tableware where you live?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-starting-tableware-where-you-live/665419)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standard-starting-tableware-where-you-live/665419 "2013-08-06T13:45:46Z")
I love dishes and we recently attended a wedding of a very young couple who had to acquire all their stuff via the registry. That has made me think about “starting” sets of dishes/glasses/flatware. Here in the midwester… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1252) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1254)