# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1781 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1782 --- ## [Best City Flags?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-city-flags/574186)
**Author:** [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-city-flags/574186 "2011-03-10T18:24:19Z")
I really admire Chicago’s. I’d like to get it as a patch. What other cities have great flags? --- ## [Confederate Flag outside the South](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confederate-flag-outside-the-south/573783)
**Author:** [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confederate-flag-outside-the-south/573783 "2011-03-10T17:56:36Z")
I grew up in the American South. I’m glad the Union won. I personally dislike the symbolism of the Confederate battle flag for it’s connotations of racism, redneckery and good-ol’-boy-ism, although I can understand why o… --- ## [Gay Marriage--Taking Each Other's Names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-taking-each-others-names/574026)
**Author:** [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-taking-each-others-names/574026 "2011-03-10T17:45:21Z")
So, the SO and I are getting “married” in August. (Well, actually, civilly unioned, but that’s another matter…) What’s the proper protocol, here? Who takes whose name? Do we not do the name change thing? Do we hyphenate… --- ## [Software design: comprehensive reasons not to hardcode Christmas as Dec 25th](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-design-comprehensive-reasons-not-to-hardcode-christmas-as-dec-25th/572060)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-design-comprehensive-reasons-not-to-hardcode-christmas-as-dec-25th/572060 "2011-03-10T16:49:26Z")
The other day, I was talking about software design and the subject of hardcoding values came up. Someone said that there probably are cases where hardcoding of values was a sound idea. I replied that the mark of a good… --- ## [Alternatives to flowers for funerals & other misfortunes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-flowers-for-funerals-other-misfortunes/574035)
**Author:** [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternatives-to-flowers-for-funerals-other-misfortunes/574035 "2011-03-10T15:25:38Z")
I lost my mother a couple of weeks ago. There were the usual cards and flowers sent - beautiful, of course, and much appreciated. Mom loved fresh flowers. My family got the most use out of the following, however: To… --- ## [Fake "Cool" Guys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-cool-guys/567373)
**Author:** [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-cool-guys/567373 "2011-03-10T11:32:29Z")
OK, many of you have probably had some experience with this sort of thing…the Youth Pastor, Assistant Coach, D.A.R.E. Coordinator, Narcs, ad nauseum, who used dipshitty lingo and hi-fiving B.S. to woo the young folk, who… --- ## [What do you suppose is the most common college writing assignment in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-suppose-is-the-most-common-college-writing-assignment-in-america/574112)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-suppose-is-the-most-common-college-writing-assignment-in-america/574112 "2011-03-10T10:24:00Z")
As a college librarian there are several topics I get asked so often that I’m a walking annotated bibliography on them: I can tell you what books we have, what articles we have and what magazines, journals and or databas… --- ## [Women: do you notice a guy's car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-do-you-notice-a-guys-car/573184)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-do-you-notice-a-guys-car/573184 "2011-03-10T08:31:06Z")
This is a counterpart to the other thread, asking whether men care about a woman’s hair, nails, etc. The premise for starting that thread was my belief that, while many women care deeply about keeping up their appearanc… --- ## [Tip the AAA driver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tip-the-aaa-driver/573974)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tip-the-aaa-driver/573974 "2011-03-10T04:55:18Z")
Should one tip the AAA driver when it comes to jump my battery? The guy didn’t seem to expect a tip, and he gave good service. He did try (not very hard) to sell me a battery, which I do need. Peace, mangeorge --- ## [How would you handle a babysitter thief?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-a-babysitter-thief/573968)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-a-babysitter-thief/573968 "2011-03-10T04:33:36Z")
My wife has a whole cadre of babysitter’s that we use. Some she shares with a couple of close friends. But like any service that is in short supply, trusted babysitters are hard to come by and are a protected commodity… --- ## [Shopping for wedding rings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-for-wedding-rings/573894)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-for-wedding-rings/573894 "2011-03-10T04:02:17Z")
I’d enjoy hearing the stories of other Dopers about the process of shopping for wedding rings, since I’m involved in the process myself, these days. Did you enjoy the process? Did you start out with an idea first, or wi… --- ## [Is Barack Obama A One Trick Pony?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-a-one-trick-pony/574011)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-a-one-trick-pony/574011 "2011-03-10T02:33:28Z")
CNN’s daily survey today is asking a simple question: Is Barack Obama a one-term president? The current poll count as I start this thread is: \[ul\] \[li\]No - 51% -104721\[/li\]\[li\]Yes - 49% -100728\[/li\]\[/ul\] Total votes… --- ## [The Urinal Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-urinal-test/573910)
**Author:** [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-urinal-test/573910 "2011-03-10T00:49:48Z")
In Is There Any Chance That These Guys Aren’t Gay? Rhythmdvl linked to The Urinal Test, which is a test about urinal etiquette. Take the test and see what you got. - No cheating! Take the test before you read anything e… --- ## [What is the most defendable American city?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-defendable-american-city/572887)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-defendable-american-city/572887 "2011-03-09T21:23:38Z")
You’re on charge of defending an American city against a force of infantry with your own troops. No air support, only light vehicles. What city is most tactically well situated? --- ## [ADHD kid refuses to sleep](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adhd-kid-refuses-to-sleep/573965)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adhd-kid-refuses-to-sleep/573965 "2011-03-09T20:23:44Z")
My girlfriend’s ten-year-old daughter has ADHD. For the past six months or so - since long before I came on the scene - Girlfriend has been having issues with Daughter going to bed and sleep. No matter how tired she mi… --- ## [Step parents: Any way in hell you would honor this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/step-parents-any-way-in-hell-you-would-honor-this/570854)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/step-parents-any-way-in-hell-you-would-honor-this/570854 "2011-03-09T20:06:51Z")
Having dinner tonight with a friend of mine. He tells me that his step daughter’s father wants him to “Stop making her root for the (Dallas) Cowboys.” The daughter is about 6 or 7 (I think). Whatching football is a bon… --- ## [Should I drop this class?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-drop-this-class/573988)
**Author:** [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-drop-this-class/573988 "2011-03-09T19:23:27Z")
I’m enrolled in a Weather and Climate class this semester and I’m trying to decide if I want to drop it or not. Right now I am firmly on the fence. The subject is a little boring to me but at the same time it’s interest… --- ## [Easiest to translate foreign words.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easiest-to-translate-foreign-words/573676)
**Author:** [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easiest-to-translate-foreign-words/573676 "2011-03-09T18:50:02Z")
I speak no Swedish but when I was reading a biography of Ingrid Bergman I saw she was buried at Norra Begravningsplatsen, Stockholm, Sweden. I don’t think you need to learn Swedish to work out that Begravningsplatsen = … --- ## [Please help me choose a car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-a-car/574068)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-a-car/574068 "2011-03-09T18:47:09Z")
I just totaled my car this weekend. I’m trying to figure out what to buy next, but I have no clue where to even begin. I should probably buy a used car because those cost less money, but I don’t want one so used that i… --- ## [Tell me about "dressing for the job you want, not the job you have"? (Female.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-dressing-for-the-job-you-want-not-the-job-you-have-female/574048)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-dressing-for-the-job-you-want-not-the-job-you-have-female/574048 "2011-03-09T18:45:57Z")
Okay, first of all I dress pretty well at work. Some on my level do it better, most do it worse. Some do it a LOT worse. Thing is, “my level” isn’t really where I want to be forever - I’m a librarian at a major downto… --- ## [Please recommend some noise-canceling headphones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-noise-canceling-headphones/573857)
**Author:** [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-noise-canceling-headphones/573857 "2011-03-09T18:23:23Z")
Looking ahead with dread to my next few cross-country flights, I think I may take the plunge and buy noise-canceling headphones, so that I can listen to music or just, uh, cancel some of the engine noise in my ears. Up t… --- ## [Suppose we give them a militant left?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-we-give-them-a-militant-left/573151)
**Author:** [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-we-give-them-a-militant-left/573151 "2011-03-09T18:14:06Z")
I’m usually able to avoid the “Obama is going to make this a socialist country” business, but today I happened to find myself captive audience to an elderly conservative. To prove that Obama’s a socialist (not that I as… --- ## [What is your average length of employment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-average-length-of-employment/574033)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-average-length-of-employment/574033 "2011-03-09T17:39:36Z")
For the purposes of this poll: Subtract the age at which you started working from your current age, then divide by the number of employers you’ve had in your life. --- ## [Would you go to Mexico now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-mexico-now/573388)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-mexico-now/573388 "2011-03-09T17:29:31Z")
My cousin is in the Peace Corps in San Luis Potosi. We had been planning to go visit her around Easter, but suddenly my mom hears about kidnappings there and gets all freaked out. I was under the impression that Mexico… --- ## [Grandfather Killing The Grandson (Time Travel Question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grandfather-killing-the-grandson-time-travel-question/574022)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grandfather-killing-the-grandson-time-travel-question/574022 "2011-03-09T17:14:03Z")
OK it’s late but I was trying to think this through We all know of the Grandfather Paradox OK fine, makes sense But supposing this time traveler goes back and meets his biological grandfather and the grandfather deci… --- ## [Please recommend a lightweight laptop...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-lightweight-laptop/573905)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-lightweight-laptop/573905 "2011-03-09T16:00:31Z")
… for surfing, watching movies online, using MS office, mail etc. I don’t play games on laptop. Should have good battery life. Budget about 1000 USD. Lightweight means about 4.5 pounds, hope such a product exists outs… --- ## [What is the best (free) nutrition/calorie tracking site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-free-nutrition-calorie-tracking-site/573954)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-free-nutrition-calorie-tracking-site/573954 "2011-03-09T14:42:00Z")
I’ve messed around a bit with Livestrong and Fitday. Livestrong seems clunky (can’t enter more than one serving at a time?). Fitday seems OK, but I’m wondering if there is anything better. Thanks, mmm --- ## [How do you pass the time on long flights? (Need answer fast-ish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-on-long-flights-need-answer-fast-ish/573746)
**Author:** [@Omi\_no\_Kami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omi_no_Kami)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pass-the-time-on-long-flights-need-answer-fast-ish/573746 "2011-03-09T13:39:05Z")
So I’m jumping on a plane for 13 hours tomorrow. I’m one of those freakish fellows who cannot sleep on airplanes, and I usually just alternate watching myself some movies and reading, but given that the dope contains som… --- ## [What is the nearest time period that the present would seem "futuristic"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-nearest-time-period-that-the-present-would-seem-futuristic/572610)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-nearest-time-period-that-the-present-would-seem-futuristic/572610 "2011-03-09T13:26:28Z")
I was thinking about this last night and thought it might be an interesting discussion. Hopefully I can express the question in a manner that can be understood. Imagine there’s a time traveler originating from sometime… --- ## [Note Taking: I never got it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-taking-i-never-got-it/573920)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/note-taking-i-never-got-it/573920 "2011-03-09T12:47:48Z")
I have never understood how it is possible to listen and write at the same time. Except when absolutely forced to by a teacher, I am almost certain I have never taken a note in my life. (At the most, I jotted down a wor… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1780) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1782)