# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1998 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1999 --- ## [What do you do to telemarketers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970)
**Author:** [@Remarkable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Remarkable)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970 "2010-02-15T21:26:05Z")
Inspired by this thread - What Missionaries Have You Gotten - I began to wonder what people do to get rid of unwanted telemarketers and door to door salespeople/missionaries. The telemarketer one bugs me, I have gone fr… --- ## [Who is in the wrong in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-in-the-wrong-in-this-situation/528409)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-in-the-wrong-in-this-situation/528409 "2010-02-15T20:54:32Z")
Alrighty, I’m going to try and explain this situation I found myself as fair and evenly as I can. A friend and I went for a drive recently and we got out to have some lunch in a small town. When we got back in to the ca… --- ## [What exactly is "living month to month"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-living-month-to-month/529065)
**Author:** [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-living-month-to-month/529065 "2010-02-15T20:12:13Z")
In the thread on fiscal responsibility in GD this term came up and it got me thinking - do I live month to month? I like to think I’m fiscally responsible, I don’t have any debt other than my mortgage (which has a good a… --- ## [Do you give (or receive) Valentines to (from) persons others than your sweetie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-give-or-receive-valentines-to-from-persons-others-than-your-sweetie/528902)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-give-or-receive-valentines-to-from-persons-others-than-your-sweetie/528902 "2010-02-15T19:11:47Z")
The question is mostly idle. A friend of mine asked me what I was giving my stepdaughter for Der Tag. When I replied “nothing,” she said, “But…but don’t you LOVE her?” I do, but I don’t give her, my nieces, or my sist… --- ## [Recommend me a good microscope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-good-microscope/528785)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-good-microscope/528785 "2010-02-15T17:04:30Z")
I’d like to get a good microscope for looking at stuff. Preferably under $300. I don’t know anything about microscopes; there are a hell of a lot of them on eBay, that much I do know, but I need to be guided by someone w… --- ## [Prospects for MS in molecular biology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prospects-for-ms-in-molecular-biology/528536)
**Author:** [@JWWJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWWJ)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prospects-for-ms-in-molecular-biology/528536 "2010-02-15T15:57:22Z")
I’m curious what people think about job prospects for a student graduating with a master of science in molecular biology with an emphasis in applied genomics. With the increasing involvement of biotechnology in pretty m… --- ## [No more shopping in your pyjamas - what do you think?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-shopping-in-your-pyjamas-what-do-you-think/528548)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-shopping-in-your-pyjamas-what-do-you-think/528548 "2010-02-15T14:58:14Z")
Tesco, one of the UK’s leading supermarket chains, has recently banned customers from shopping in one of their stores if they are wearing pyjamas (link to story) I think this is pretty dumb and unnecessary - I mean, who… --- ## [Constipation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constipation/529017)
**Author:** [@bleu\_ewe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleu_ewe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constipation/529017 "2010-02-15T02:41:31Z")
So it’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I THINK this is more suited to IMHO than GQ or MPSIMS, yet as always–mods please move as you see fit. My partner is severely constipated. He’s been having terrible pressure… --- ## [U of Washington alums, help needed!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-of-washington-alums-help-needed/528425)
**Author:** [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-of-washington-alums-help-needed/528425 "2010-02-14T23:22:21Z")
My daughter is attending the UW this year as a freshman, and an important question has arisen. Is the main library, Suzzallo, pronounced suh-ZALL-o or SOOZ-uh-lo? She swears it’s SOOZ-uh-lo, but I figure, heck, she’s a… --- ## [World Currency: Who's on it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-currency-whos-on-it/528636)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-currency-whos-on-it/528636 "2010-02-14T17:17:01Z")
There’s an old saying (either that or I made it up…) that if there were to be a world currency it would have Homer Simpson’s picture on it. That got me thinking, what if there WAS a world currency? Who would be on it t… --- ## [The wisdom, or lack thereof, of buying a car of a discontinued make](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wisdom-or-lack-thereof-of-buying-a-car-of-a-discontinued-make/528913)
**Author:** [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wisdom-or-lack-thereof-of-buying-a-car-of-a-discontinued-make/528913 "2010-02-14T17:07:50Z")
I’ve had it with my 2003 PT Cruiser, which I bought used. It has been fraught with problems leading to numerous expensive repairs. I have some specific requirements as far as a vehicle’s ability to haul stuff. Finances … --- ## [Foulest tasting medicine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foulest-tasting-medicine/525881)
**Author:** [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foulest-tasting-medicine/525881 "2010-02-14T16:20:18Z")
I took some castor oil last night, and was unprepared for the assault my taste buds were in for. My god, that stuff is awful! I had to suppress my gag reflex multiple times. It was like drinking rancid butter. --- ## [US Government Planning to Confiscate 401K/IRA Accounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-planning-to-confiscate-401k-ira-accounts/528702)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-planning-to-confiscate-401k-ira-accounts/528702 "2010-02-14T15:52:39Z")
Several financial writers have speculated that the US Government might try to rescue the dollar, by confiscating individual retirement accounts. The most common theory is that you would be forced to buy a government-back… --- ## [Cooktops: Gas, Electric & Short Circuited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooktops-gas-electric-short-circuited/528923)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cooktops-gas-electric-short-circuited/528923 "2010-02-14T14:38:15Z")
This could be in GQ, but here it is. Our electric cooktop suddenly started tripping the circuit breaker. Both the cooktop and the wall oven under it were affected, but when I disconnected the cooktop, the oven worked fi… --- ## [Laws that should be repealed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-should-be-repealed/528015)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-that-should-be-repealed/528015 "2010-02-14T09:24:03Z")
I’m curious to hear about laws that you think should be repealed, and why. All of us, whatever our politics, can probably agree that some laws are just bothersome (at best) or destructive (at worst). A lot of people wi… --- ## [Withholding sex to punish your SO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withholding-sex-to-punish-your-so/528412)
**Author:** [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/withholding-sex-to-punish-your-so/528412 "2010-02-14T03:56:46Z")
Both on this message board and in the non-cyber world, I’ve often heard scenarios described like this one: My boyfriend/husband has annoyed me/angered me/ failed to perform a requested task, therefore I won’t have sex w… --- ## [Paris, France, Places to Stay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paris-france-places-to-stay/528846)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paris-france-places-to-stay/528846 "2010-02-14T01:45:29Z")
So off I go with The Love of My Life for four or five nights in Paris. We will be arriving in the middle of July. (Yeah, I know.) Where ought we to stay? I note the George V is now us to EUR925/night, by the way. Somepl… --- ## [U.S. Bar exams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-bar-exams/528120)
**Author:** [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-bar-exams/528120 "2010-02-14T00:27:02Z")
I’m a non-U.S. lawyer and I’m considering taking a U.S. bar exam. As far as I know, at least three states (N.Y., California and Texas) allow foreign lawyers to take the bar exam, subject to some conditions. N.Y. would b… --- ## [Anyone ever solve the jealous cat peeing problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-solve-the-jealous-cat-peeing-problem/528866)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-solve-the-jealous-cat-peeing-problem/528866 "2010-02-13T21:21:32Z")
I’ve done the research, and I’ve tried everything. But, our two ten year old cats are spraying and peeing in the living room ever since the new baby came home. They’ve been to the vet and they check out normal for infe… --- ## [Windows 7, what's the verdict so far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-whats-the-verdict-so-far/527761)
**Author:** [@Livardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Livardo)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-whats-the-verdict-so-far/527761 "2010-02-13T20:40:54Z")
So Windows 7 has been out for more than a couple of months now. What’s the verdict from people who have been using it so far? My computer a non-brand name laptop (Sager) came with Vista and I have to say that my experie… --- ## [What happened to my name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-name/528271)
**Author:** [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-name/528271 "2010-02-13T19:43:42Z")
According to this handy dandy Java doodad, the popularity of my first name, Paul, has plummeted from when I was named (in 1969) from 18th most popular, to 155th. The drop is so sudden and steep, it makes me think there … --- ## [High gas prices, housing bubble, recession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-gas-prices-housing-bubble-recession/528887)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-gas-prices-housing-bubble-recession/528887 "2010-02-13T19:12:15Z")
I am not an economist (which will be made abundantly clear). It seems on the surface that the recession started with high fuel prices. Prior to the collapse of the housing market, gas prices reached more than $4/gallon… --- ## [Can anyone recommend a microscope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-a-microscope/528762)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-recommend-a-microscope/528762 "2010-02-13T17:47:46Z")
I want to buy a microscope. Preferably one that I can hook up to my computer and take digital pictures and video with. I’d prefer it be made of metal, but I wouldn’t pass on quality sturdy plastic. I don’t know if sin… --- ## [Have you ever received good advice from a rabbi, priest, or preacher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-received-good-advice-from-a-rabbi-priest-or-preacher/528525)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-received-good-advice-from-a-rabbi-priest-or-preacher/528525 "2010-02-13T17:29:05Z")
IIRC, whenever I used to read Ann Landers, or Dear Abby, or whoever, she would advise the person with the problem to consult their rabbi, priest, or preacher (I believe she said clergyman, or something). I am a Christian… --- ## [What percentage of men and women would you say are capable of premeditated murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-men-and-women-would-you-say-are-capable-of-premeditated-murder/528727)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-men-and-women-would-you-say-are-capable-of-premeditated-murder/528727 "2010-02-13T14:51:07Z")
Please note that I specified premediitated and murder. Going into a killing rage because you catch your spouse in bed with your best friend doesn’t count; nor does killing in self-defense. In fact, let’s say that, for th… --- ## [Why did the police officer ask me this question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-police-officer-ask-me-this-question/528081)
**Author:** [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-police-officer-ask-me-this-question/528081 "2010-02-13T13:31:10Z")
I got stopped last night by a cop in an unmarked car. When I passed him, I noticed the computer (it was on) and knew he was a cop. Our conversation was as follows: Cop: Did you know you have a headlight out? Me: No, so… --- ## [My boyfriend wants me to talk more during sex...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boyfriend-wants-me-to-talk-more-during-sex/528453)
**Author:** [@Inter\_Alia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inter_Alia)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boyfriend-wants-me-to-talk-more-during-sex/528453 "2010-02-13T09:06:15Z")
What do I say, and how do I keep from feeling like an idiot when I’m saying it? I’m shy and self-conscious. Sometimes I think I’m moaning too loud; he assures me that’s not the case. He wants to know that he’s hitting t… --- ## [Driveway snow removal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driveway-snow-removal/528470)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/driveway-snow-removal/528470 "2010-02-13T07:50:33Z")
The first three winters I lived in my house, I didn’t do anything about the snow in my driveway. I work at home and pretty much could afford to be snowed in. I eventually realized that I was the ONLY one in the entire ne… --- ## [Is there any foul language you won't use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-foul-language-you-wont-use/527876)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-foul-language-you-wont-use/527876 "2010-02-13T02:22:41Z")
Inspired by this thread, which revolves around the only curse word I’m aware of that I just can’t bring myself to use. It’s odd. I mean, I grew up as a hard-core Catholic, so I know where it stems from. But I left Catho… --- ## [What to do with a day in Los Angeles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-day-in-los-angeles/528633)
**Author:** [@Crimmsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crimmsy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-a-day-in-los-angeles/528633 "2010-02-13T01:30:13Z")
I’m in LA on business this week and next with the weekend free. My girlfriend is flying in on Saturday so we will have all day Sunday to do whatever, and then she’s staying till later in the week but I’ll be busy until 4… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1997) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1999)