# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1903 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1904 --- ## [Is it ever acceptable to use the term "retarded" when referring to a dumb person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ever-acceptable-to-use-the-term-retarded-when-referring-to-a-dumb-person/549264)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ever-acceptable-to-use-the-term-retarded-when-referring-to-a-dumb-person/549264 "2010-08-11T14:54:37Z")
This thread has come about due to this previous thread in MPSIMS Computer Retarded People Make Me Cry Some are suggesting that “retarded” is a slur and should not be used, even when someone is intellectually slow at so… --- ## [People who CAN swim: where/how did you learn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-can-swim-where-how-did-you-learn/549840)
**Author:** [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-can-swim-where-how-did-you-learn/549840 "2010-08-11T14:39:35Z")
Inspired by the non-swimmer thread, how did you learn to swim? I’ve been a pretty good swimmer for as long as I can remember, but I’ve never taken formal swimming lessons, neither did my sister. Our friends went to spec… --- ## [How long before a new job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-a-new-job/549908)
**Author:** [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-a-new-job/549908 "2010-08-11T14:37:38Z")
I’m currently working an internship. My boss wants to keep me around for a salaried position. I know I don’t want to work there long term. Can I take it and continue looking for a new job, or do I need to wait a while? I… --- ## [Anyone ever known the perpetrator of a really horrific crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-known-the-perpetrator-of-a-really-horrific-crime/28678)
**Author:** [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-known-the-perpetrator-of-a-really-horrific-crime/28678 "2010-08-11T14:19:22Z")
Or been the perpetrator of such a crime themselves? When I was growing up, there was a small convenience store at the end of my block (local store, not a franchise). The owner of the store was usually working behind the… --- ## [Comforting My Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforting-my-cat/549875)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforting-my-cat/549875 "2010-08-11T13:50:00Z")
What’s the best way to comfort my cat during a thunderstorm? She get’s terrified at the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder and comes running to me, but what do I do after that? I’m afraid of picking her up beca… --- ## [People who can't swim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-cant-swim/549355)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-cant-swim/549355 "2010-08-11T13:04:01Z")
See this Explainer column from Slate.com, saying that 37% of American adults couldn’t swim 24 yards, and that “almost 54 percent of children between 12 and 18 can do no more than splash around the shallow end of a pool”. … --- ## [Does this look like a PC warranty issue or accidental damage/abuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-look-like-a-pc-warranty-issue-or-accidental-damage-abuse/549338)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-look-like-a-pc-warranty-issue-or-accidental-damage-abuse/549338 "2010-08-11T13:01:02Z")
What does this look like to you. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2064879/photo.jpg I have someone insisting this is a failure of a keyboard I installed, and that the keys just started warping. This is a dell inspiron 1545, th… --- ## [Strength training for injury prevention & stamina (vs strength & size)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-training-for-injury-prevention-stamina-vs-strength-size/549776)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strength-training-for-injury-prevention-stamina-vs-strength-size/549776 "2010-08-11T08:58:58Z")
How would a strength training routine designed with the goal of improving a person’s resistance to injury (joint pain, back pain, disability), lowering their level of muscle soreness after a day of engaging in physical a… --- ## [Your lover reveals a hidden fortune, then asks you to sign a pre-nup. Do you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-lover-reveals-a-hidden-fortune-then-asks-you-to-sign-a-pre-nup-do-you/549283)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-lover-reveals-a-hidden-fortune-then-asks-you-to-sign-a-pre-nup-do-you/549283 "2010-08-11T04:22:51Z")
Okay, here’s the sitch: One day, while going about your usual lonely business, you meet someone who seems perfect for you. You share interests, but disagree enough to make for stimulating conversation; you find each oth… --- ## [another TMI thread: women, please help me with this tampon problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tmi-thread-women-please-help-me-with-this-tampon-problem/548950)
**Author:** [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trapezoidal_jellyfish)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tmi-thread-women-please-help-me-with-this-tampon-problem/548950 "2010-08-11T04:05:31Z")
I’ve only recently started using tampons. I have this problem where it seems like the liquid is being drawn through the tampon to the string, to be happily soaked up by my underwear. It didn’t leak through to my skirt,… --- ## [Legitimate Position, or Just Envious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legitimate-position-or-just-envious/549624)
**Author:** [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legitimate-position-or-just-envious/549624 "2010-08-11T03:51:28Z")
My sister and I are both in our twenties. While I wouldn’t call myself unattractive, I am definitely the “brains” of the family, and she’s undoubtedly the “beauty” of the family. Plus, like most girls her age, she puts h… --- ## [Help! Bedbugs upstairs! How should I prepare for the onslaught?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-bedbugs-upstairs-how-should-i-prepare-for-the-onslaught/549663)
**Author:** [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-bedbugs-upstairs-how-should-i-prepare-for-the-onslaught/549663 "2010-08-11T03:03:33Z")
My neighbor directly overhead (in a large apartment building) apparently has bedbugs. We were not notified until Friday (and didn’t find out until today, as we were away), but I’ve heard them moving furniture every day … --- ## [What's the name of a woman who has black hair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-a-woman-who-has-black-hair/548974)
**Author:** [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-a-woman-who-has-black-hair/548974 "2010-08-11T00:54:23Z")
We have blondes, brunettes and redheads. But what is a black-haired lady referred to as? --- ## [Suppose JB Rhine Was Right (Small Minority of Humans Have Telepathic Ability)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-jb-rhine-was-right-small-minority-of-humans-have-telepathic-ability/549768)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-jb-rhine-was-right-small-minority-of-humans-have-telepathic-ability/549768 "2010-08-10T23:51:42Z")
AS far as I know, the late JB Rhine (who claimed to have proven that certain humans posess telepathic abilities) was not a good researcher-his experimental work was ridden with errors, and his experiemnts were poorly car… --- ## [What is Politics all about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-politics-all-about/549789)
**Author:** [@MattProle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattProle)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-politics-all-about/549789 "2010-08-10T22:58:26Z")
I find philosophy and science fascinating fields of intellectual study. As I’ve grown more interested in broader intellectual curiosities, I am beginning to investigate the realm of politics. However, I’m not very comfor… --- ## ["He's just a cat and a monocle away from being a Bond villain."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-just-a-cat-and-a-monocle-away-from-being-a-bond-villain/549609)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-just-a-cat-and-a-monocle-away-from-being-a-bond-villain/549609 "2010-08-10T22:55:54Z")
In which we discuss real people who might well be mistaken for refugees from action movies & comic books, in our world because they’re hiding from James Bond or Batman. Let’s leave fellow Dopers out of it, please. Well… --- ## [Poll. What is yourcurrent mortgage interest rate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-is-yourcurrent-mortgage-interest-rate/549552)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-is-yourcurrent-mortgage-interest-rate/549552 "2010-08-10T22:25:34Z")
I just came across ING Direct and they are offering a low interest 5 year variable interest rate at 2.10%. I ame curently paying 2.25% at the TD bank although they are offering the same 5 year open mortgage at 3.55%. … --- ## [Diplomatic way to tell my clients to bathe their dogs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-way-to-tell-my-clients-to-bathe-their-dogs/537352)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diplomatic-way-to-tell-my-clients-to-bathe-their-dogs/537352 "2010-08-10T22:12:34Z")
I’m finishing up a big recovery job, for a family that has five unruly dogs. Now, the first day I walked in, the odor was pretty darn intimidating. Since then, I’ve removed most of the sources of smell, but it seems that… --- ## [What's going on with my knee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-my-knee/549810)
**Author:** [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-my-knee/549810 "2010-08-10T21:47:54Z")
And yes, I am asking for medical advice (sort of) I don’t have health insurance currently and will not be going to the doctor unless I absolutely have to because I can’t really afford it. I’m 49 years old and like to wa… --- ## [Another "weekend in Chicago" thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-weekend-in-chicago-thread/549737)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-weekend-in-chicago-thread/549737 "2010-08-10T20:39:38Z")
Next month is our 10-year wedding anniversary. The original plan was to dump our kids off with my parents for a week and revisit our honeymoon spot, Dalvay by the Sea in PEI. But after my parents’ last visit, we became … --- ## [What's wrong with my leg? (runners)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-leg-runners/549616)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-leg-runners/549616 "2010-08-10T20:39:34Z")
This is not asking for medical advice, more like runners advice. So I’ve been training for a marathon for a few months and the running has gone pretty well. Up until last weekend I had been training in some North Face … --- ## [tipping when there is a delivery charge.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-when-there-is-a-delivery-charge/548911)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-when-there-is-a-delivery-charge/548911 "2010-08-10T19:15:24Z")
I am posting this in GD because its about tipping. I recently had some plants and bushes delivered. The delivery fee was $100. After the guys unloaded the truck, they stood around waiting for a tip so I gave them one … --- ## [Self control and overcoming illogical fears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-control-and-overcoming-illogical-fears/549668)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-control-and-overcoming-illogical-fears/549668 "2010-08-10T18:39:28Z")
You know the saying “as you think you shall become” and the fact that you decide your perspective on things. Well that is absolutely what I believe. However, I have noticed that the sense of “fear” that we all have, no… --- ## [advice about getting legal advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-about-getting-legal-advice/549708)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-about-getting-legal-advice/549708 "2010-08-10T17:15:42Z")
I’m asking how to best procure legal advice, starting with whether I need any. I got a speeding ticket last month (two, actually, simultaneously: twice the legal limit, 71 in a 35-mph zone, plus changing lanes without s… --- ## [A poll and general discussion about interracial relationships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-and-general-discussion-about-interracial-relationships/534353)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poll-and-general-discussion-about-interracial-relationships/534353 "2010-08-10T17:00:00Z")
I was involved in an interesting discussion this morning about interracial relationships, and I realized this might be a good general topic for the Dope. My dating experience has been entirely interracial, and I have a f… --- ## [How Do I (short-term disability) \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-short-term-disability-edited-title/549750)
**Author:** [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-short-term-disability-edited-title/549750 "2010-08-10T16:13:20Z")
Cover a possible short-term disability? I’m going for a third consult on my messed-up ankle, but it looks as if surgery is the only real choice (osteochondritis dessicans on top of my foot; four torn ligaments; torn post… --- ## [Advice for sleeping in your car.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-sleeping-in-your-car/549510)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-sleeping-in-your-car/549510 "2010-08-10T15:58:10Z")
As of 5 September I will be leaving my current place due to rent increases. As of approx 20 September, I’ll be moving into my newly owned flat. This leaves about 2 weeks gap that I don’t want to spend much money on. I al… --- ## [When a cheap date is a good thing...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cheap-date-is-a-good-thing/549459)
**Author:** [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cheap-date-is-a-good-thing/549459 "2010-08-10T13:38:36Z")
I’m currently unemployed, and my husband and I are getting into a bit of a rut. We don’t have money to go out to dinner, see a movie, go to the bar, etc. I’ve been trying to come up with cheap date ideas (spending an a… --- ## [Have You Had A Major Shift of Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-had-a-major-shift-of-religion/549638)
**Author:** [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-had-a-major-shift-of-religion/549638 "2010-08-10T12:17:06Z")
Have you had a major shift in your personal belief system, where major means embracing a completely different set of beliefs? I’m not asking about changing denominations or sects within one major religion (Protestant to… --- ## [Race And Dating/Partner Poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-and-dating-partner-poll/549686)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-and-dating-partner-poll/549686 "2010-08-10T10:08:45Z")
Just wondering about others’ experiences. Feel free to elaborate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1902) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1904)