# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=224 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 225 --- ## [Phone spam protection app for Android](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-spam-protection-app-for-android/955889)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-spam-protection-app-for-android/955889 "2021-12-15T15:39:01Z")
I’m inundated with phone spam - both text and calls, but especially SMS text. I have a Samsung Galaxy S21. Can anyone recommend a trustworthy app to help block this crap? Thanks. --- ## [2021 Time Person of the Year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-time-person-of-the-year/953250)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2021-time-person-of-the-year/953250 "2021-12-15T13:49:38Z")
This year’s Person of the Year is supposed to be named in a month or so, so I guess it’s time to discuss it. I think it goes to “The Essential Worker,” especially as they were left off last year in favor of the traditio… --- ## [Best Martial Art In A Zombie Attack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-martial-art-in-a-zombie-attack/956014)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-martial-art-in-a-zombie-attack/956014 "2021-12-15T01:48:39Z")
So you’re facing a horde of shamblers-the slow infectious bitey kind. You’re very experienced in martial arts but don’t have any weapons. What’s the best fighting art to use to get away? Assume that once you’ve knocked … --- ## [What is an appropriate kid's allowance in 2021?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-appropriate-kids-allowance-in-2021/955990)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-an-appropriate-kids-allowance-in-2021/955990 "2021-12-15T00:21:57Z")
What’s a appropriate kid’s allowance for 2021? We gave ours $15 a week a decade ago. That’s just pocket money. We bought all the essentials. They got extra on birthdays and holidays. Their Grandparents always sent card… --- ## [East Coast Coach Trip Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-coast-coach-trip-questions/955943)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-coast-coach-trip-questions/955943 "2021-12-14T12:53:40Z")
I’m in my mid-60s and my wife is in her mid-50s. We’re both capable of lots of walking and live in the US Northwest. I’ve done a lot more traveling than she has, but it was mostly work-related travel with weekends off, a… --- ## [How might "service animals" legally and morally be limited to actual service animals performing a service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-service-animals-legally-and-morally-be-limited-to-actual-service-animals-performing-a-service/955581)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-service-animals-legally-and-morally-be-limited-to-actual-service-animals-performing-a-service/955581 "2021-12-13T19:21:02Z")
I moved into my community with the assurance that pets were not allowed, but it turned out that was a meaningless promise–anyone who wanted a dog or cat or rhinoceros could simply classify it as a 'service" animal or eve… --- ## [When hunting wild hogs (as part of pest eradication), which is better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-hunting-wild-hogs-as-part-of-pest-eradication-which-is-better/955803)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-hunting-wild-hogs-as-part-of-pest-eradication-which-is-better/955803 "2021-12-13T18:10:31Z")
My husband and I watched a video of hunters trying to take out huge herds of destructive wild pigs. Damn, those things run fast and it’s impossible to shoot more than a few at a time. Given this, which is the better op… --- ## [Question about Healthcare plan open season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-healthcare-plan-open-season/955966)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-healthcare-plan-open-season/955966 "2021-12-13T17:55:39Z")
I’d really prefer to believe that this has a hard-and-fast answer, but I’m going to err on the side of caution. My daughter will be aging out of her eligibility for coverage by my health insurance in May. For the purpos… --- ## [How Do You Wash Your Feet in the Shower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-wash-your-feet-in-the-shower/955588)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-wash-your-feet-in-the-shower/955588 "2021-12-13T15:48:57Z")
Because, true story. When I was younger, and, yes, stronger, more agile (you get the picture :wink: ), I had a method. I’d hop on one leg, as I did the other foot, of course. How I never broke my neck I still don’t know. … --- ## [Help me pick a linux distro](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-linux-distro/232587)
**Author:** [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2004, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-a-linux-distro/232587 "2004-03-05T09:29:41Z")
I just upgraded one of my computers and I now have enough spare parts laying around to build a linux box for the heck of it. What’s a good starter distro? I’m thinking I want something pretty light. For the most part,… --- ## [SpyBot and AdAware can't fix this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spybot-and-adaware-cant-fix-this/227615)
**Author:** [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2004, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spybot-and-adaware-cant-fix-this/227615 "2004-02-06T07:16:30Z")
I’m running XPHome and don’t know what to do next. There is a registry entry and a directory to which I am denied access, so I don’t know what’s in there. SpyBot scanned on reboot, found the same items and still couldn… --- ## [Anyone else take the personality match test at match.com?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-take-the-personality-match-test-at-match-com/225029)
**Author:** [@Thinks2Much](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinks2Much)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2004, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-take-the-personality-match-test-at-match-com/225029 "2004-01-20T07:05:08Z")
Hi- We have had a lot of threads about personals going on lately. So I tried the personality test at match.com. I am wondering how much of the results are duplicated from person to person - if it is like a horoscope th… --- ## [Whipping Up Some Anti-Perspirant at Home — Easy? Possible? Wise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whipping-up-some-anti-perspirant-at-home-easy-possible-wise/955945)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whipping-up-some-anti-perspirant-at-home-easy-possible-wise/955945 "2021-12-13T15:03:10Z")
I don’t like throwing away another plastic tube every few weeks. I also don’t like fragrances and big price mark-ups. And while I’ve seen eco-friendly packaging for simple deodorants I don’t like soggy armpits or stained… --- ## [Is "power imbalance" between parents and children an issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-power-imbalance-between-parents-and-children-an-issue/955449)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-power-imbalance-between-parents-and-children-an-issue/955449 "2021-12-13T05:02:05Z")
This op ed piece in my paper the other day seems to suggest that there is a problem with a “power imbalance” between parents and children. In 1933, the Hungarian psychoanalyst Sándor Ferenczi described this dynamic, war… --- ## [Do you live in a giant house? What do you do with it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-live-in-a-giant-house-what-do-you-do-with-it/954040)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-live-in-a-giant-house-what-do-you-do-with-it/954040 "2021-12-12T21:30:42Z")
Drove past a rather large house the other day, then looked it up on Zillow. The listing doesn’t say how many bedrooms, but there are 7 bathrooms and 7900 square feet of space. I don’t begrudge the owners of this palace… --- ## [What are some of your most satisfying big-ticket purchases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-your-most-satisfying-big-ticket-purchases/955645)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-your-most-satisfying-big-ticket-purchases/955645 "2021-12-12T13:23:59Z")
I’ve heard it said that it can be better to spend money on experiences rather than things, because experiences are more likely to create happy memories. My sister subscribes to this notion. She and her husband make decen… --- ## [A conundrum about my son(sexuality)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-conundrum-about-my-son-sexuality/955882)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-conundrum-about-my-son-sexuality/955882 "2021-12-12T07:33:56Z")
So my son, soon to be 13, asked me today, if he was gay. Without going into too much detail, he’s at “that age” and curious. He said he’s been having thoughts and wondering what it would be like with boys and with girl… --- ## [Bathroom handrails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-handrails/955730)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-handrails/955730 "2021-12-11T17:22:51Z")
Need to install handrails in a shower and tub. Are the suction cup ones any good? I’m keen to start drilling holes to find a stud to anchor them, but the person who needs them is wondering about the ease and low cost of … --- ## [How readily do you interrupt phone call to speak w/ spouse/partner/roommate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-readily-do-you-interrupt-phone-call-to-speak-w-spouse-partner-roommate/955788)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-readily-do-you-interrupt-phone-call-to-speak-w-spouse-partner-roommate/955788 "2021-12-11T15:03:02Z")
Say you are on the phone for a somewhat extended (\>10 min) phone call. If your spouse/SO/etc wants approaches, indicating that they would like to speak briefly, how readily do you tell the person on the phone to “hang o… --- ## [What's the best/cheapest/easiest way to make soda water? Any Spärkel fans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-cheapest-easiest-way-to-make-soda-water-any-sparkel-fans/953252)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-cheapest-easiest-way-to-make-soda-water-any-sparkel-fans/953252 "2021-12-11T05:14:51Z")
As I posted over in the first-world problems thread, the local store that had a reliable supply of Sodastream CO2 cylinders now only carries the newer pink ones, which are incompatible with the classic blue ones I need. … --- ## [Is “Invalid” still appropriate to use when referring to disabled persons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-invalid-still-appropriate-to-use-when-referring-to-disabled-persons/955399)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-invalid-still-appropriate-to-use-when-referring-to-disabled-persons/955399 "2021-12-11T03:42:03Z")
When driving around, I’ll often see vans that are labeled “Invalid Coach”. I just saw one today, and wondered it it’s still an appropriate word to use, as it just seems insensitive. --- ## [Did you witness shoplifting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-witness-shoplifting/954714)
**Author:** [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-witness-shoplifting/954714 "2021-12-11T02:02:51Z")
Have you yourself seen a person shoplifting? What did you do? How did events turn out? --- ## [Win10 System-- what's going on with the excessive power usage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win10-system-whats-going-on-with-the-excessive-power-usage/955839)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win10-system-whats-going-on-with-the-excessive-power-usage/955839 "2021-12-11T00:54:45Z")
Putting this in IMHO because though there’s got to be a clear factual answer, without personally examining my PC it’s more a matter of opinion, I’m guessing. So, I recently purchased a new desktop PC with AMD processor … --- ## [Blogging and blogging software, suggestions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blogging-and-blogging-software-suggestions/955862)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blogging-and-blogging-software-suggestions/955862 "2021-12-10T23:34:37Z")
A good friend of mine is leaving the U.S. for France in early January. She will be overseas for six months. Many who know her have asked her to maintain a blog while in France. She asked me to help her set one up. I’m g… --- ## [World Inequality Report 2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-inequality-report-2022/955850)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-inequality-report-2022/955850 "2021-12-10T20:02:39Z")
I just read a short article in Business Insider about the findings of the World Inequality Report, saying that it proves (again) that trickle-down economics don’t work. I haven’t read past the homepage of the report (ab… --- ## ["Stepmom" as a descriptor in this circumstance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stepmom-as-a-descriptor-in-this-circumstance/955672)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stepmom-as-a-descriptor-in-this-circumstance/955672 "2021-12-10T07:36:10Z")
Say you are a woman, and you have an ex-baby daddy (never married him, but he is the father of your daughter) and said BD has four other kids by previous relationships, only one of whom you’ve ever even met. Can you cal… --- ## [The aftermath of knee replacement surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-knee-replacement-surgery/950511)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-knee-replacement-surgery/950511 "2021-12-10T01:47:16Z")
Spousal unit had his left knee replaced on Sep 3, and the right will be replaced on Dec 3. As I write this, we’re a week from his hospital release (they kept him overnight because of another recent surgery - apparently t… --- ## [Max's Living Wage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maxs-living-wage/955237)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maxs-living-wage/955237 "2021-12-10T00:59:55Z")
Continuing the discussion from Why not raise the minimum wage with local ordinances? and The Nahployment ‘Crisis’: This is something that has been in the back of my head for a while. (See linked topics.) What would be t… --- ## [What is the reason for the decline in customer service through email in the past 10 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-decline-in-customer-service-through-email-in-the-past-10-years/946027)
**Author:** [@craft458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craft458)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-decline-in-customer-service-through-email-in-the-past-10-years/946027 "2021-12-09T22:51:08Z")
Back in 2010 and before it was easy to get customer service through email. You could ask them a question, or deal with the problem through email and always get an answer and usually the correct answer. They would always … --- ## [If Rittenhouse had been disarmed by the victims, what would have happened to him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rittenhouse-had-been-disarmed-by-the-victims-what-would-have-happened-to-him/954524)
**Author:** [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rittenhouse-had-been-disarmed-by-the-victims-what-would-have-happened-to-him/954524 "2021-12-09T17:12:42Z")
I only started following this case for real a day or so before closing arguments, and right now the jury is deliberating. While that’s happening I thought it would be interesting to think about what would have happened … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=223) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=225)