# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1421 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1422 --- ## [Birthday gift for 7 yr old girly girl who likes sharks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-gift-for-7-yr-old-girly-girl-who-likes-sharks/639508)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthday-gift-for-7-yr-old-girly-girl-who-likes-sharks/639508 "2012-11-01T23:03:00Z")
My 7-year-old niece is what one might call a “girly girl.” She likes makeup and shoes, and was very disappointed when I didn’t identify pink as my favorite color. But she looooves sharks. So I want to get her a bad-ass … --- ## [How is this email I got a scam? (Because it certainly is.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-email-i-got-a-scam-because-it-certainly-is/639573)
**Author:** [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-email-i-got-a-scam-because-it-certainly-is/639573 "2012-11-01T22:26:48Z")
First off, I know that it is a scam, and I immediately flagged it. But, I was wondering how they hoped to make money off me. Basically some guy was offering me a job to run errands, mail packages, etc. for him for $500/… --- ## [I would appreciate your thoughts and advice on my mortgage situation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-appreciate-your-thoughts-and-advice-on-my-mortgage-situation/639480)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-appreciate-your-thoughts-and-advice-on-my-mortgage-situation/639480 "2012-11-01T18:09:41Z")
Sorry, boring, I know, but here it is: Background (you can skip this): bought the house in 2004 in San Francisco during a time of bidding wars and frenzy. Paid $60K more than I wanted to for any house, let alone this on… --- ## [Thank you, ZZZQuil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-zzzquil/639557)
**Author:** [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-zzzquil/639557 "2012-11-01T17:37:45Z")
I sometimes have trouble sleeping. Tends to happen in blocks - I’ll sleep poorly one night, then be anxious about sleeping poorly so it’ll happen again, and then the next day the fatigue headache will keep me from sleepi… --- ## [Sump Pump - plugging into a UPS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sump-pump-plugging-into-a-ups/638921)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sump-pump-plugging-into-a-ups/638921 "2012-11-01T16:42:48Z")
So we’re looking at a “spot of rain” around here starting Sunday. And we have a sump pump - AC/powered of course. So if the power goes out, it could be a bit messy. We could lay out 300ish dollars for a battery-powere… --- ## [Need advice on 401k withdrawal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-401k-withdrawal/639473)
**Author:** [@PeppermintPatty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeppermintPatty)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-on-401k-withdrawal/639473 "2012-11-01T16:33:48Z")
I have about $50K in my 401k. I have a $7K atty bill, and credit debt (mostly medical expenses) of appx $7K. I net about 4500 per month, but just covering my needs costs $4000 ($1.8K for rent&utils, $800 transportation,… --- ## [I wanna get creeped out! Tell me some creepy stuff!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanna-get-creeped-out-tell-me-some-creepy-stuff/505269)
**Author:** [@The\_Seventh\_Deadly\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Seventh_Deadly_Finn)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wanna-get-creeped-out-tell-me-some-creepy-stuff/505269 "2012-11-01T16:15:07Z")
This was inspired by this GQ thread about a “haunted” painting called “The Hands Resist Him.” I’m 99% sure the backstory is codswallop, but it’s a good creepy story. What are some other good creepy/haunted/weird/unnervin… --- ## [Steve Jobs personally designed 260 ft yacht finished after his death - Is this an attractive ship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-jobs-personally-designed-260-ft-yacht-finished-after-his-death-is-this-an-attractive-ship/639192)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-jobs-personally-designed-260-ft-yacht-finished-after-his-death-is-this-an-attractive-ship/639192 "2012-11-01T15:57:31Z")
Seems kind of starkly wedge shaped. Not all that attractive IMO. --- ## [Looking for help understanding health insurance options](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-help-understanding-health-insurance-options/639281)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-help-understanding-health-insurance-options/639281 "2012-11-01T15:17:42Z")
…for my daughter (single/no dependants) who recently started working at a very large company. I am very familiar with traditional plans as well as high deductible plans (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) compone… --- ## [Tips on restoring an old wood burning heater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-restoring-an-old-wood-burning-heater/639336)
**Author:** [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-on-restoring-an-old-wood-burning-heater/639336 "2012-11-01T13:37:31Z")
Recently I found an old wood burning heater at an antique shop and bought it for the backyard patio so we’d have some comfort on cool evenings, a means of making Smores, etc. It’s nothing fancy and for $200 I don’t have… --- ## [What time in your life would you like to turn in for a refund?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-in-your-life-would-you-like-to-turn-in-for-a-refund/639479)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-in-your-life-would-you-like-to-turn-in-for-a-refund/639479 "2012-11-01T11:58:04Z")
You know how people sometimes say after watching a bad movie, “There were two hours of my life I’d like to get back”? Well, suppose you could do just that. You can pick one period/event/time in your life and have the tim… --- ## [What's the most difficult room to break into in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-difficult-room-to-break-into-in-the-world/639189)
**Author:** [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-difficult-room-to-break-into-in-the-world/639189 "2012-11-01T05:54:29Z")
Fort Knox is the classic example of insane security, but what else is there? It can’t be The White House. If you take the tour, you’re already on the one yard line. Let’s assume this isn’t a round trip for simplicity … --- ## [Best answers for job application question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-answers-for-job-application-question/639388)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-answers-for-job-application-question/639388 "2012-11-01T04:54:05Z")
Hi, I’m applying for a part-time job at ??? and I was wondering what you think the best answers to these questions are: You are replenishing a section of shelves in the store which you need to have completed before your… --- ## [Should I ask my (pretty) obviously gay uncle if he is gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-ask-my-pretty-obviously-gay-uncle-if-he-is-gay/638892)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-ask-my-pretty-obviously-gay-uncle-if-he-is-gay/638892 "2012-11-01T03:04:36Z")
I start this thread having listened to this where the 81 year old Randi comes out. I should be clear - when I say uncle in this thread, I do not talk about someone literally the sibling of my mother or father. In my fam… --- ## [How is complimenting a woman's body misogynistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-complimenting-a-womans-body-misogynistic/639407)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-complimenting-a-womans-body-misogynistic/639407 "2012-11-01T01:48:35Z")
“Nice tits” “You pig, I’m more than a piece of meat!” ^Goofy fictional exchange. Well sure but you do have nice tits, no one said anything about anything else. You could be a world class expert in xray crystallography… --- ## [27 Year old dating a 19 Year Old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/27-year-old-dating-a-19-year-old/639248)
**Author:** [@thatoneotherguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatoneotherguy)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/27-year-old-dating-a-19-year-old/639248 "2012-11-01T00:08:24Z")
Hey everyone, First off I just wanted to say that I checked out the thread “How to handle daughter dating older guy (Long)” and was really impressed by all the great advice. So I wanted to tap your brains for another p… --- ## [Would you rather your child had a brief, difficult, glorious life, or a long, easy, mediocre one:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-your-child-had-a-brief-difficult-glorious-life-or-a-long-easy-mediocre-one/639204)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-your-child-had-a-brief-difficult-glorious-life-or-a-long-easy-mediocre-one/639204 "2012-10-31T23:41:20Z")
On the day after you or your female partner has a baby, you receive a visit from Pallas Athena, Sovran of Olympus\*. Mighty Pallas establishes her bona fides by the usual methods\*\*. Before you ask she says that she doesn… --- ## [A question for those who have spoken with Catholic priests...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-those-who-have-spoken-with-catholic-priests/639143)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-those-who-have-spoken-with-catholic-priests/639143 "2012-10-31T23:07:25Z")
I grew up in a Catholic family, altho I’m very much lapsed for almost 30 years. But for the first half of my life, I belonged to or attended a variety of parishes in different parts of the country, thanks to the Navy. I… --- ## [Formaldehyde in no-iron clothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formaldehyde-in-no-iron-clothing/639426)
**Author:** [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formaldehyde-in-no-iron-clothing/639426 "2012-10-31T21:51:53Z")
I read this article here: It is an amusing read, but at a certain point it claims that no-iron shirts are made that way by soaking them in formaldehyde, a dangerous chemical. I have lots of no-iron shirts. My wife ha… --- ## [Amazing SDMB finds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-sdmb-finds/635723)
**Author:** [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-sdmb-finds/635723 "2012-10-31T19:59:12Z")
In this thread, the SDMB is given a picture of an album cover. As \*\*Colophon \*\*explains: What, in your opinion, are the most impressive things the Dope has found/figured out? I know there was a lost wallet thread..th… --- ## [Could China conquer Taiwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-china-conquer-taiwan/638760)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-china-conquer-taiwan/638760 "2012-10-31T19:45:36Z")
This sprouted out of a hijack in an Elections thread, but the point is to discuss: if China woke up tomorrow and wanted to conquer Taiwan, do they have the military capability to do so? I assume we all understand that t… --- ## [WTH? A "running" dress?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wth-a-running-dress/639193)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wth-a-running-dress/639193 "2012-10-31T18:54:37Z")
Yes … a running dress --- ## [Flea and Tick Control for Dogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flea-and-tick-control-for-dogs/639418)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flea-and-tick-control-for-dogs/639418 "2012-10-31T17:38:37Z")
I am amazed at how the control methods for fleas and tickshave changed since the last time I had a dog in the house. What method did you choose, and what were the deciding factors for you? Thanks! --- ## [Are pedal exercisers any good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-pedal-exercisers-any-good/639319)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-pedal-exercisers-any-good/639319 "2012-10-31T17:26:10Z")
I’m thinking of getting one of these for my mother. She’s a somewhat large lady - about 20-30 kg over her ideal weight - and walking too much and too regularly causes her some knee pain. I read that mixing up walking wit… --- ## [You were born 50 years earlier than you actually were. Imagine your life.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-were-born-50-years-earlier-than-you-actually-were-imagine-your-life/638117)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-were-born-50-years-earlier-than-you-actually-were-imagine-your-life/638117 "2012-10-31T16:08:42Z")
Imagine you were born half a century before whenever you actually were born. What would your life have been like up to your current age? (E.g., you were actually born in 1970, so in this scenario you were born in 1920,… --- ## [Why is hetero anal sex so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-hetero-anal-sex-so-popular/638195)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-hetero-anal-sex-so-popular/638195 "2012-10-31T15:44:27Z")
First off I’m not grossed out by the idea at all, I’m not even grossed out by analingus. I’m just sort of baffled by its popularity and apparently position of ultimate sex act among my peers, it is at the top of the hea… --- ## [Do kids who routinely co-sleep with parents get better at it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-kids-who-routinely-co-sleep-with-parents-get-better-at-it/639392)
**Author:** [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-kids-who-routinely-co-sleep-with-parents-get-better-at-it/639392 "2012-10-31T14:49:27Z")
For various reasons, co-sleeping wasn’t for us. Our baby has slept on her own pretty much from the beginning, and she’s a good little sleeper, thankfully. However, there have been maybe a handful – four? five? – time… --- ## [If you could retroactively witness an event in the life of someone you know...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-retroactively-witness-an-event-in-the-life-of-someone-you-know/638989)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-retroactively-witness-an-event-in-the-life-of-someone-you-know/638989 "2012-10-31T14:46:51Z")
You have, by pure happenstance, managed to perform a tremendous favor for Skald the Rhymer by which he is Greatly Pleased. As a reward, he arranges with one of his gifted friends to bestow upon you a present. You have th… --- ## [Barcelona! Ideas wanted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barcelona-ideas-wanted/616352)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barcelona-ideas-wanted/616352 "2012-10-31T14:37:45Z")
So Tom Scud and I are going there in a couple of weeks. We will have a week to spend, and we have both been to Spain before, and we have a couple of guidebooks, and I speak Spanish (and yes, I am aware that people there… --- ## [Pet care services in case of rapture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-care-services-in-case-of-rapture/639249)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-care-services-in-case-of-rapture/639249 "2012-10-31T12:19:35Z")
Do you think these “services” are moral? I was thinking it might be a good way for Diamonds02 to make a few extra bucks as a “side hustle” without having to do any work. Just find people willing to pay you a sum of mon… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1420) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1422)