# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1375 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1376 --- ## [Manipulation resources.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manipulation-resources/647238)
**Author:** [@jerryp8472](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerryp8472)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manipulation-resources/647238 "2013-01-15T01:18:12Z")
Today I came across this article: Following the Script: How Drug Reps Make Friends and Influence Doctors | PLOS Medicine It made me curious to learn more. What are some good books on the subject of manipulation and/or m… --- ## [What do you think of decorative fringe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-decorative-fringe/646962 "2013-01-15T01:04:56Z")
Yeah, I know, a weird question, but believe it or not, I really am interested. Background: I knit and crochet scarves and afghans and shawls that are distributed to various organizations for people in need. I almost n… --- ## [Reccomend a high quality mattress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reccomend-a-high-quality-mattress/645665)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reccomend-a-high-quality-mattress/645665 "2013-01-15T00:38:32Z")
Hi! Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday. Because of some unexpected gift money, we’ve decided to get a new mattress. We have been sleeping on an air mattress for years - a very nice air mattress, but an air mattress n… --- ## [People You Admire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-you-admire/647227)
**Author:** [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-you-admire/647227 "2013-01-15T00:02:11Z")
I love this guy. He makes me laugh, cry, think, and wonder with his online projects. See this video on Ted Talks about him: He is pretty awesome So who are some people you admire and why? --- ## [Online vet tech program?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-vet-tech-program/647212 "2013-01-14T23:08:13Z")
How do you earn a degree/certificate as a veterinary assistant through an online program? I used to wonder this when Sally Struthers advertised one. I’m seeing others on TV these days. What do they do, mail you a hamster… --- ## [Need Fact-Based or Solid Rational Reasons Against Ethical Vegetarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-fact-based-or-solid-rational-reasons-against-ethical-vegetarianism/624416)
**Author:** [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-fact-based-or-solid-rational-reasons-against-ethical-vegetarianism/624416 "2013-01-14T22:11:04Z")
Background: I have a recent addition to my tiny inner circle of friends who is a vegetarian. Although I understand some of the basic reasons for folks to be vegetarians and try to include a vegetarian option or two whe… --- ## [Should women over 40 have children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-women-over-40-have-children/646861)
**Author:** [@timefortrees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timefortrees)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-women-over-40-have-children/646861 "2013-01-14T22:07:15Z")
Sometimes doing research on the internet sucks. I’d say 50% of what I read on this topic is fine, and exciting, and such great news. The other 50% make it sound like it would be impossible for a woman to get pregnant, t… --- ## [Tax Question - Sale of Condo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-sale-of-condo/646971)
**Author:** [@PoorMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorMarie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-sale-of-condo/646971 "2013-01-14T21:42:09Z")
This is my first thread! My mother died in September of 2011. She lived in a condo for many years before her death. In March of 2012, her daughters, of which I am one, sold the condo and the proceeds were split between… --- ## [Why is it so common to assume that other people are idiots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-common-to-assume-that-other-people-are-idiots/646973)
**Author:** [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-common-to-assume-that-other-people-are-idiots/646973 "2013-01-14T21:24:55Z")
A lot of people seem to believe that they are superior drivers, shoppers, bike riders, spellers, etc., and are forced to “put up with” the idiocy of the masses at every turn. Their employers are fools who make poor decis… --- ## [You can remove one kind of prejudice from the human psyche, what one do you annihilate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-remove-one-kind-of-prejudice-from-the-human-psyche-what-one-do-you-annihilate/647159)
**Author:** [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-remove-one-kind-of-prejudice-from-the-human-psyche-what-one-do-you-annihilate/647159 "2013-01-14T20:12:00Z")
Inspired by the recent anti gay marriage march in France, where the Catholics, Muslims and the extreme right “Front National” walked shoulder too shoulder. Say you could remove one but only one prejudice from the human … --- ## [Just have to share this story... It's a female issue and may be TMI but hey what ever right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-have-to-share-this-story-its-a-female-issue-and-may-be-tmi-but-hey-what-ever-right/647052)
**Author:** [@Emmyann88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emmyann88)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-have-to-share-this-story-its-a-female-issue-and-may-be-tmi-but-hey-what-ever-right/647052 "2013-01-14T20:10:47Z")
May be a little boring, and TMI but i just wanted to tell someone this story. I got an IUD put in about 4 years ago… I actually had to fight for it because the physician that I had first refused but wouldn’t tell me why… --- ## [Leading zeroes in numerical date formats, especially US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leading-zeroes-in-numerical-date-formats-especially-us/647093)
**Author:** [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leading-zeroes-in-numerical-date-formats-especially-us/647093 "2013-01-14T19:49:31Z")
Is it more common to use the mm/dd/yyyy format (01/13/2013 for today’s date) or m/d/yyyy (1/13/2013)? I’m getting conflicting information from Wikipedia (Date and time notation in the United States, Date format by countr… --- ## [Why am I such a cold person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-such-a-cold-person/646831)
**Author:** [@timefortrees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timefortrees)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-such-a-cold-person/646831 "2013-01-14T19:28:35Z")
I have been betrayed by a lot of people in my life. I know this sounds lame, but I really think it started when I was 16 and my girlfriend cheated on me - first with my neighbor (who was a real loser), and then with my f… --- ## [Objects and devices that proved useful well beyond your expectations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561)
**Author:** [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561 "2013-01-14T19:27:33Z")
I’ve bought tons of stuff over the years that I thought I would use all the time but ended packing them up in a crate somewhere, never using them again. That’s because the device either didn’t work well enough or it did… --- ## [Cash only in the Vatican?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-only-in-the-vatican/647087)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-only-in-the-vatican/647087 "2013-01-14T18:07:12Z")
What kind of potential money laundering is going on in the Vatican? --- ## [Dopers: what countries/continents don't we have represented?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-what-countries-continents-dont-we-have-represented/314401)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-what-countries-continents-dont-we-have-represented/314401 "2013-01-14T17:46:55Z")
I watched the last episode of “Guns, Germs, and Steel” last night. For those of you who haven’t watched/read it, it’s about why certain areas of the world became more advanced than others. The final episode talked a lot … --- ## [Complaining about the weather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complaining-about-the-weather/646609)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complaining-about-the-weather/646609 "2013-01-14T17:17:04Z")
Re: complaining about the weather: --- ## [Suggestions for wireless outdoor security camera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-wireless-outdoor-security-camera/647164)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-wireless-outdoor-security-camera/647164 "2013-01-14T15:54:37Z")
Preferably one that’s Wi-Fi compatible, not hugely expensive and doesn’t require computer geek-level expertise to configure. --- ## [Need some wedding advice!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-wedding-advice/646956)
**Author:** [@Goldfishs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goldfishs)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-wedding-advice/646956 "2013-01-14T11:55:27Z")
So basically I’m scared of spending a tonne of money on a wedding when we don’t have a lot and have a million other things to save for: Namely moving interstate for my future husbands job (meaning we have to furnish a pl… --- ## [Person in front of you decelerates--best to brake, or best to change lanes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-in-front-of-you-decelerates-best-to-brake-or-best-to-change-lanes/646794)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-in-front-of-you-decelerates-best-to-brake-or-best-to-change-lanes/646794 "2013-01-14T08:12:42Z")
If someone in front of you on a highway decelerates to such a degree that if you do not either brake or change lanes, you will hit them, then which is it best to do? To brake, or to change lanes without decelerating? (I … --- ## [Why ARE journalists so stupid? And what are the implications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-journalists-so-stupid-and-what-are-the-implications/646370)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-journalists-so-stupid-and-what-are-the-implications/646370 "2013-01-14T07:42:37Z")
This thread touches on the question in passing but I think it deserves its own thread. Whenever journalists describe things that I know about they get all sorts wrong, and from what anyone who knows about stuff I don’t (… --- ## [HELP!!! w/ Tonal Chiropractic - quackery/scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-w-tonal-chiropractic-quackery-scam/646800)
**Author:** [@therealdeall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/therealdeall)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-w-tonal-chiropractic-quackery-scam/646800 "2013-01-14T05:37:09Z")
I am dating a girl that I really have feelings for. She is great, and has many virtues. However, she suffers from some sort of chronic fatigue syndrome and sleep deprivation. This causes a lot of undue stress on her, and… --- ## [What do you call the child of a first cousin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-child-of-a-first-cousin/646396)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-child-of-a-first-cousin/646396 "2013-01-14T03:14:31Z")
How would you describe how someone is related to their uncle’s grandson? The “proper” term is “first cousin once removed,” but I have heard a number of people, including my mother, say “second cousin,” even though “prop… --- ## [Why do many Muslims consider Russia their friend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031 "2013-01-14T03:09:22Z")
Many in Iran consider Russia their friend against USA and Israel. How can they forget Soviet atrocities in Afghanistan and Russian war crimes in Chechnia? --- ## [How to get ink off of laminate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-ink-off-of-laminate/647060)
**Author:** [@midnight-dreary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/midnight-dreary)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-ink-off-of-laminate/647060 "2013-01-14T02:42:04Z")
My bench tops are laminated. We left some wet cardboard on it, and now it’s stained. Anyway to get it out? I’ve tried soap, bi-carb and vinegar so far. --- ## [Buying a used car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-used-car/647081)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-used-car/647081 "2013-01-14T00:21:55Z")
My experience with buying cars in a nutshell – Prior to 1998: every car I owned up to this point was a hand-me-down from my parents. 1998: Purchased my first car, new, a Ford Ranger 2013: Still have the Ranger. Its t… --- ## [Just tired?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-tired/647096)
**Author:** [@xdacardsx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xdacardsx)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-tired/647096 "2013-01-13T22:45:03Z")
Whats wrong with me? Im 30 years old and Id rather sit alone in my aunt’s basement than go out and live life. I’ve been this way for quite a few years now but it’s just getting out of hand. I’m losing relationships le… --- ## [Russia Bans Adoption to US Families](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-bans-adoption-to-us-families/645411)
**Author:** [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-bans-adoption-to-us-families/645411 "2013-01-13T18:22:10Z")
This seems like some tit-for-tat with Russia, with children and prospective adoptive families caught in the middle of politics. The US passes a billto restrict human rights abusers in Russia - Russia bans US adoptionof R… --- ## [How common/weird is it to buy the same clothes in different colors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-weird-is-it-to-buy-the-same-clothes-in-different-colors/646724)
**Author:** [@oyster11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oyster11)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-weird-is-it-to-buy-the-same-clothes-in-different-colors/646724 "2013-01-13T08:07:48Z")
Let’s say you are buying a fleece, and you like it, but you are undecided about the color, so you buy both colors. The two fleeces you bought are exactly the same, just in two different colors. Is this shopping practice … --- ## [Another driving question: When being pulled over, do you stop immediately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-driving-question-when-being-pulled-over-do-you-stop-immediately/646907)
**Author:** [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-driving-question-when-being-pulled-over-do-you-stop-immediately/646907 "2013-01-13T07:53:21Z")
This morning I was sitting at a light and watched a cop hit his lights and pull behind someone. The guy pulled over immediately. But here’s the thing: he pulled to the curb, no breakdown lane or shoulder, on a very busy … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1374) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1376)