# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1974 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1975 --- ## [Tell me about your compost pile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-compost-pile/533501)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-compost-pile/533501 "2010-03-30T07:41:35Z")
I’m thinking of building one in the backyard. There seem to be a number of ways to do it, and want to see if anyone has an opinion. My yard is about 50’x170’ (with a house to account for), so I wouldn’t be generating a T… --- ## [Why the nasty ethnic bickering in the comments on YouTube videos of Central Asian music?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-nasty-ethnic-bickering-in-the-comments-on-youtube-videos-of-central-asian-music/534261)
**Author:** [@History\_Monk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Monk)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-nasty-ethnic-bickering-in-the-comments-on-youtube-videos-of-central-asian-music/534261 "2010-03-30T04:09:28Z")
Or far-fetched nationalist boasting, one of the two. Seems like every one has something along the lines of: “There are Kazakhs in Kazakhstan, not Mongolians, Kazakhs are different from them! Researches found that Kazakh… --- ## [Whose good opinion of you do you value most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-good-opinion-of-you-do-you-value-most/534016)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-good-opinion-of-you-do-you-value-most/534016 "2010-03-30T03:02:03Z")
In my case, it’s a tie between my youngest sister and my best friend from college. They both think highly of me; in fact, I sometimes fear that they think TOO highly of me. I’ve frequently been brought back from the bri… --- ## [River "valleys" and Interstate "corridors"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/river-valleys-and-interstate-corridors/534140)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/river-valleys-and-interstate-corridors/534140 "2010-03-30T02:38:13Z")
I’m sure there must be some basic guidelines somewhere as to how much territory is included in the I-95 Corridor or the Mississippi Valley, but I wonder how much we think about that sort of thing. My mind gravitates tow… --- ## [How do I encourage my future mother in law to not give into her kids' snack and junk food demands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-encourage-my-future-mother-in-law-to-not-give-into-her-kids-snack-and-junk-food-demands/533936)
**Author:** [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-encourage-my-future-mother-in-law-to-not-give-into-her-kids-snack-and-junk-food-demands/533936 "2010-03-30T00:42:52Z")
I turn to the Teeming Millions for advice on a sticky subject: the diet of my SO’s siblings, and the relationship with my future mother in law This story needs a bit of backstory: My SO was a vegetarian for 10 years wh… --- ## [Rooftop cargo baskets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rooftop-cargo-baskets/534165)
**Author:** [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rooftop-cargo-baskets/534165 "2010-03-29T21:31:07Z")
For my 2009 Subaru Forester. I have looked at Yakima, Thule, and Moline? and so far the Thule MOAB is winning, But I have several questions: Can I leave the rack on the car all the time (a place to store it is a proble… --- ## [Idaho dentists who do mercury removal...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-dentists-who-do-mercury-removal/534130)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-dentists-who-do-mercury-removal/534130 "2010-03-29T20:27:36Z")
My friend in Idaho believes a lot of her physical problems are due to mercury leaching from her fillings. She is looking for any dentists in the area (including surrounding states) who do mercury-filling removal but char… --- ## [Shall we use shall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012)
**Author:** [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shall-we-use-shall/534012 "2010-03-29T20:07:51Z")
I’m an American English teacher in France. Quite frequently, my students use the word “shall” (i.e. shall we go to dinner now?) and I tell them it’s passe and that it’s been replaced by “should” for most speakers under … --- ## [Writing a good email introduction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-a-good-email-introduction/534236)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-a-good-email-introduction/534236 "2010-03-29T18:55:26Z")
Over the last month, I’ve been doing a lot of networking and one thing that’s lead to is a lot of introductions. People have promised to introduce me to people they know and I’ve promised to introduce other people to peo… --- ## [Gym etiquette question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-etiquette-question/533933)
**Author:** [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-etiquette-question/533933 "2010-03-29T18:44:45Z")
I have been going to the gym a lot lately and being single I have noticed a lot of lovely looking ladies. I am sure I would have noticed them when I was married too, but then I was not interested. I am wondering what th… --- ## [I suck at sweating copper pipe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suck-at-sweating-copper-pipe/534021)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suck-at-sweating-copper-pipe/534021 "2010-03-29T16:58:55Z")
Am running hot & cold copper water pipe for a wet bar in the basement. I’ve tried. I really have. I’m using a wire brush, flux, applying the flame to the fitting (not the pipe), etc. and my joints \*still \*look like crap… --- ## [Thinking outisde the box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-outisde-the-box/533986)
**Author:** [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-outisde-the-box/533986 "2010-03-29T15:58:02Z")
The following may seem a somewhat circumlocutory, but occasionally I will still hear encouragement to “think outside the box”. I don’t think I’ve ever fully understood all the angles here. I know that it means that one s… --- ## [Subway Explosion in Moscow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subway-explosion-in-moscow/534186)
**Author:** [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subway-explosion-in-moscow/534186 "2010-03-29T13:52:32Z")
BBC link. 25 dead, not sure how many injured. Cause is not yet known. Do we have any Dopers there? I know a couple living there that we met in Thailand over the summer - they’re all right, the girl normally takes the s… --- ## [Software contracting and a dilemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-contracting-and-a-dilemma/534174)
**Author:** [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-contracting-and-a-dilemma/534174 "2010-03-29T03:13:43Z")
I’m three months into a six-month programming contract for a company I’ll all ABC. I work from home, and two weeks ago I finished all the work ABC is expecting. To the best of my knowledge, I’m done. I report to ABC eve… --- ## [At what age have you started to prefer (to feel flattered by) being taken for younger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-have-you-started-to-prefer-to-feel-flattered-by-being-taken-for-younger/534058)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-have-you-started-to-prefer-to-feel-flattered-by-being-taken-for-younger/534058 "2010-03-28T23:44:01Z")
We have all (I guess) started out as kids/youths who preferred to be considered more mature than we are (I for one e.g. at age 16 would have been delighted to be taken for 18 years old). At some points we consider our a… --- ## [Gender generalizations - Like 'em or Loathe 'em](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-generalizations-like-em-or-loathe-em/533734)
**Author:** [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-generalizations-like-em-or-loathe-em/533734 "2010-03-28T23:38:38Z")
I see this in some places, occasionally on the Dope, and I wondered if there was a gender divide in discussing gender generalizations. I’ll admit it, I loathe 'em. I don’t think there is anything to learn from generali… --- ## [Hassock or Ottoman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hassock-or-ottoman/533934)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hassock-or-ottoman/533934 "2010-03-28T21:08:05Z")
What do you usually call this object? Inspired by the following conversation I once had with an old roommate as we were moving out of our shared house: Me- “Can I have the hassock?” Friend- “What’s a hassock?” M- “Th… --- ## [San Andreas Fault sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-andreas-fault-sites/533395)
**Author:** [@RachelChristine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RachelChristine)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-andreas-fault-sites/533395 "2010-03-28T19:03:26Z")
So we are going to California for Spring Break – Monterey & San Francisco. We’ve been there once before, so we know a little about the area, but not a lot. My 18 year old really wants to see the San Andreas Fault, and … --- ## [An observation about the phrase "X is going to be the next big thing"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-observation-about-the-phrase-x-is-going-to-be-the-next-big-thing/534092)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-observation-about-the-phrase-x-is-going-to-be-the-next-big-thing/534092 "2010-03-28T15:36:54Z")
I have learned that when something gets spoken about in terms of “it’s going to be the next big thing”, it almost certainly will not be. Big things just happen before you have time to notice they’re about to happen. I … --- ## [I think I hate my mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-hate-my-mom/533133)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-hate-my-mom/533133 "2010-03-28T15:07:55Z")
I’ve recently stopped talking to my mom, I say recently, I haven’t spoken to her since last August, and emailed her saying I didn’t want anything to do with her around November. I grew up in a dysfunctional household, I… --- ## ["You'll feel better if you talk about it." Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youll-feel-better-if-you-talk-about-it-really/533716)
**Author:** [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youll-feel-better-if-you-talk-about-it-really/533716 "2010-03-28T12:59:31Z")
“You’ll feel better if you talk about it.” I imbibed this sentiment from the air I breathed growing up. It is certainly significant that my mom is a therapist, but this idea definitely didn’t come just from her, it was… --- ## [Where Will You Spend Eternity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-you-spend-eternity/533897)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-you-spend-eternity/533897 "2010-03-28T08:49:40Z")
My parents are physicians, and I made it clear to my mother at a very early age (6, I think) that if I died I wanted my organs donated, and for my cadaver to be given to a teaching hospital or similar institution in the … --- ## [Anything else to consider before I system-restore my Inspiron laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-else-to-consider-before-i-system-restore-my-inspiron-laptop/533899)
**Author:** [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-else-to-consider-before-i-system-restore-my-inspiron-laptop/533899 "2010-03-28T05:22:10Z")
Besides making sure my data is all backed up because it’ll be going bye-bye. I’m using a free trial of Carbonite to back up all my files now. It’s 96% completed after two days. I also backed up the most critical files a … --- ## [Ceramic question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceramic-question/533979)
**Author:** [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceramic-question/533979 "2010-03-28T04:22:35Z")
I’d like to put an image on a mug. Hopefully many mugs. Any suggestion? I could start with a jpeg…then what? Any help and I’ contribute my spare profits to the fight against ingorance --- ## [iPhone App development on Windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-app-development-on-windows/533950)
**Author:** [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-app-development-on-windows/533950 "2010-03-28T03:33:53Z")
Has anyone used any of the third party tools for developing iPhone apps on windows? I’ve got a customer who wants to develop a simple iPhone app and I’m a Windows guy (at least when I program outside of the AS400/ISerie… --- ## [What is your blood type?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-blood-type/529028)
**Author:** [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-blood-type/529028 "2010-03-28T02:39:36Z")
Humans have 8 distinct blood types, depending on your antigen and Rh factor. What type of blood do you have? I am O+. --- ## [New Phone. Need to record message for answering machine.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-phone-need-to-record-message-for-answering-machine/534013)
**Author:** [@King\_Bobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Bobo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-phone-need-to-record-message-for-answering-machine/534013 "2010-03-28T00:23:19Z")
Old Phone died. I need to record a message for a new phone voice mail. I want to say: “You have reached xxx yyy zzzz. Please leave a message after the tone. Thank you” I have never had to do this before as previously… --- ## [What is your pay schedule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pay-schedule/533884)
**Author:** [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-pay-schedule/533884 "2010-03-27T23:22:01Z")
When do you get paid and how often? The last of the month? The 15th and the 30th? Ever other Friday? I currently pay myself once a month, on the last Friday of the month. --- ## [What jobs have the highest concentrations of socially maladjusted people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-the-highest-concentrations-of-socially-maladjusted-people/146789)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-jobs-have-the-highest-concentrations-of-socially-maladjusted-people/146789 "2010-03-27T23:14:14Z")
Yes I know that one person’s general weirdo is another person’s hero, but seriously, in your life and work experience what real life job, profession or avocation has the highest concentration of people that would be prob… --- ## [The most valuable thing I ever read on a SD posting was...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-valuable-thing-i-ever-read-on-a-sd-posting-was/533387)
**Author:** [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-valuable-thing-i-ever-read-on-a-sd-posting-was/533387 "2010-03-27T21:43:27Z")
Earlier today I read an SD posting which explained the function of an automobile’s ESC (Electronic Stability Control System) and when it should be shut off. I had never known any of this and I consider this information … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1973) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1975)