# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=231 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 232 --- ## [Anyone play around with Van De Graaff generators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-around-with-van-de-graaff-generators/953598)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-around-with-van-de-graaff-generators/953598 "2021-11-01T15:39:20Z")
Thinking about making one of these my next “I’m bored in the middle of a pandemic” purchase. Had my eyes on this one Or this one The first one seems to be better reviewed, but isn’t 325 KV getting close to where the… --- ## [Talk to me about kitchen faucet styles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-kitchen-faucet-styles/953550)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-kitchen-faucet-styles/953550 "2021-11-01T04:08:29Z")
I’m in the market for a new kitchen faucet. The one I have is a pull-out sprayer style similar to this. It seems that the tall gooseneck pull-down style is very popular right now, to the point where it’s a little difficu… --- ## [Would tattoos lose some of their meaning if there were no pain involved in getting them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tattoos-lose-some-of-their-meaning-if-there-were-no-pain-involved-in-getting-them/953015)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-tattoos-lose-some-of-their-meaning-if-there-were-no-pain-involved-in-getting-them/953015 "2021-11-01T00:52:07Z")
So I’m watching a sci-fi show (The Expanse I think) wherein a character is getting a tattoo. The guy giving it has like this laser pointy thing as he just prints the tattoo onto the person. With seemingly no pain involve… --- ## [FLOR Carpeting Tiles and other carpeting tile experiences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flor-carpeting-tiles-and-other-carpeting-tile-experiences/596291)
**Author:** [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flor-carpeting-tiles-and-other-carpeting-tile-experiences/596291 "2021-11-01T00:47:49Z")
Seems like it’s a bad idea to have completely bare floors as far as heating costs go. FLOR seems like a nice alternative but I’m wondering about people’s experiences. They’re not on Amazon so I can’t see lots of in depth… --- ## [Could really use advice for my young adult son with emotional issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-really-use-advice-for-my-young-adult-son-with-emotional-issues/952911)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-really-use-advice-for-my-young-adult-son-with-emotional-issues/952911 "2021-10-31T22:12:38Z")
This will get long, but I’ll try stick to main points and not ramble, and I’ll answer when I can with any follow-up questions anybody may have. So, my older son who is almost 19 and lives with us, his parents, has had e… --- ## [Question about Canadian taxes vs spousal transfers and loans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-canadian-taxes-vs-spousal-transfers-and-loans/953540)
**Author:** [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-canadian-taxes-vs-spousal-transfers-and-loans/953540 "2021-10-31T18:08:18Z")
It’s understood that nobody on the board is acting as a financial or tax advisor. I just wanted to see if anyone has experience with this. Spouses A and B have similar incomes and are in the same tax bracket. Both still… --- ## [Another electric auto question about costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-electric-auto-question-about-costs/953573)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-electric-auto-question-about-costs/953573 "2021-10-31T16:53:34Z")
I guess the Cleveland suburbs are not not much of an electric car place yet. I only see two places with chargers as I drive around. The Mercedes dealer near me just installed two of them a few months ago and I have seen … --- ## [Jeep Heat wasn't working, now is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-heat-wasnt-working-now-is/953325)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeep-heat-wasnt-working-now-is/953325 "2021-10-30T20:48:49Z")
Earlier in the summer we were out late at night and the temperature was unseasonably cool. I turned on my 2016 Jeep Wrangler’s heat, but got only cold air. I tried again every so often, but only got cold air. I actual… --- ## [Product prices on furniture: outrageous or reasonable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-prices-on-furniture-outrageous-or-reasonable/953302)
**Author:** [@notadoctorshh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notadoctorshh)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2021, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/product-prices-on-furniture-outrageous-or-reasonable/953302 "2021-10-29T08:12:23Z")
I’m going through a weird transitional phase atm and have been on a sort of unexpected interior design journey for my apartment. It’s kinda small, maybe in the lower 30’s in square meters and I’ve been doing a Pinterest … --- ## [Convicted of a crime? Sold into chattel slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convicted-of-a-crime-sold-into-chattel-slavery/949829)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2021, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convicted-of-a-crime-sold-into-chattel-slavery/949829 "2021-10-29T07:59:18Z")
We have sort of tossed this question around in the past, but here is the text of the Thirteenth Amendment: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been d… --- ## [How frequently do people wear MAGA hats in public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-frequently-do-people-wear-maga-hats-in-public/952463)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-frequently-do-people-wear-maga-hats-in-public/952463 "2021-10-28T19:40:32Z")
Continuing the discussion from Is wearing a MAGA hat hate speech?: I am aware that this will vary depending on time and location and that my categories could be more precise, but in general terms, when you go out, how o… --- ## [What are you planning to do re Halloween this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-planning-to-do-re-halloween-this-year/952628)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-planning-to-do-re-halloween-this-year/952628 "2021-10-28T17:22:19Z")
Last year our town canceled door-to-door style Trick or Treating, which I thought was only sensible. I’m sure there were some private parties, but no trunk parties or other ‘let’s get a lot of random people mixing it up … --- ## [Are the current supply chain issues going to ruin your holidays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-current-supply-chain-issues-going-to-ruin-your-holidays/952820)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-current-supply-chain-issues-going-to-ruin-your-holidays/952820 "2021-10-28T15:23:37Z")
It appears panic is taking hold in some quarters. So much stuff is sitting in containers waiting to be offloaded from ships and transported thither and yon - whatever is a consumer to do??? I’ve seen posts in various pl… --- ## [Half inch drill bit for quarter inch drill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-inch-drill-bit-for-quarter-inch-drill/952451)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2021, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-inch-drill-bit-for-quarter-inch-drill/952451 "2021-10-28T06:27:29Z")
I have a drill that has a bunch of bits, the largest of which is 1/4 inch. I need to make a hole through a desk (Looks like very thin oak veneer over particle board) that should be about 1/2 inch diameter. I’m making it … --- ## [Which outdated customs should go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-outdated-customs-should-go/951958)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 296\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-outdated-customs-should-go/951958 "2021-10-27T22:12:20Z")
It’s time to end some old, outdated or offensive customs - things done for no better reason than being usual. Like cashiers having to stand up for hours. Men wearing things not black or beige. Never apologizing to chi… --- ## [Help me plan a southwest / western U.S. road trip to see national parks and similar rural beauty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-southwest-western-u-s-road-trip-to-see-national-parks-and-similar-rural-beauty/953183)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-a-southwest-western-u-s-road-trip-to-see-national-parks-and-similar-rural-beauty/953183 "2021-10-27T21:50:00Z")
My family and I will be attending a family reunion in the summer of 2023 in northern Montana near Havre. We live in southern Oregon. Our usual route is to drive north to Portland, cut east to Umatilla on I-84, north to R… --- ## [EV and the apocalypse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ev-and-the-apocalypse/953072)
**Author:** [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ev-and-the-apocalypse/953072 "2021-10-27T21:18:14Z")
Mad Max notwithstanding, ICE vehicles are going to be hard to keep running post apocalypse. I’m wondering if I can attach a trailer to my EV (Tesla Y? F150 Lightning?) and tow enough solar panels to put a decent charge… --- ## [Success from marriage counselling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/success-from-marriage-counselling/951665)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/success-from-marriage-counselling/951665 "2021-10-27T02:37:19Z")
My wife and I have been married for 20 years and have two pre-teen kids. But during the last few years we have grown further and further apart and we are having a really hard time communicating. Neither of us is happy an… --- ## [How to type Japanese Katakana in Windows on Chrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-type-japanese-katakana-in-windows-on-chrome/953118)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-type-japanese-katakana-in-windows-on-chrome/953118 "2021-10-26T23:34:54Z")
Need to do this for a Japanese passport renewal application. I have downloaded the Japanese language pack for Windows, but after that I’m stumped. I have a western roman-letter qwerty keyboard. --- ## [Is there anything you can put over painted cement, other than repainting it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-can-put-over-painted-cement-other-than-repainting-it/953016)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-you-can-put-over-painted-cement-other-than-repainting-it/953016 "2021-10-26T18:32:41Z")
Hi everyone, I need some advice please. I have a 9 x 9 painted outdoor cement patio in ill repair. I’m not schooled in this type of thing, but it looks to me like the patio was not properly sealed when the painters or… --- ## [Experience with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) batteries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-plug-in-hybrid-phev-batteries/952068)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-plug-in-hybrid-phev-batteries/952068 "2021-10-26T09:57:48Z")
A few months ago I bought a new Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4. It is a fantastic car and I’m really happy with it in almost every way. It is a plug-in hybrid SUV with some nice bells and whistles. However, I am beginning to worr… --- ## [Conspiracy theories: Why the outlandish ones that don't even sound remotely real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-theories-why-the-outlandish-ones-that-dont-even-sound-remotely-real/916360)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-theories-why-the-outlandish-ones-that-dont-even-sound-remotely-real/916360 "2021-10-26T03:38:42Z")
If one wanted to promote a fake conspiracy theory, ISTM one would want to make it as believable as possible. An example of a believable one would be: Pharmaceutical companies are sitting on a cure for cancer because the… --- ## [Better PCH Road Trip Option?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-pch-road-trip-option/933828 "2021-10-26T01:34:10Z")
I am planning to take my three boys (18, 15 and 12) on a 7-8 day road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway in June. I am looking for opinions on two routes. Either Seattle-San Francisco or San Francisco-San Diego. I’m sur… --- ## [(Structural) engineer or architect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/structural-engineer-or-architect/952790)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/structural-engineer-or-architect/952790 "2021-10-26T01:22:20Z")
Someone I know has a basement which only extends to about 3/4 the width of her house; the rest is a crawl space. The part with the crawl space also has only one floor above it, while the part with the basement has two fl… --- ## [Can someone explain the plan to give the IRS power to track $600 in bank activities? Why $600?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-plan-to-give-the-irs-power-to-track-600-in-bank-activities-why-600/952819)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-plan-to-give-the-irs-power-to-track-600-in-bank-activities-why-600/952819 "2021-10-25T19:40:17Z")
The main thing I was wondering (it looks like this might not happen at this point) is…why $600.00? I get that its aggregate activity showing a difference between deposits and withdrawals, but that seems like a really lo… --- ## [Wife, mother (or daughter) listed first](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-mother-or-daughter-listed-first/953137)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-mother-or-daughter-listed-first/953137 "2021-10-25T13:32:59Z")
Continuing the discussion from Alec Baldwin \[accidentally\] Kills Crew Member with Prop Gun: Pulling this to a new thread so the original can be more about the accident itself. It’s a weak argument to say “OK you dispr… --- ## [Why Do Some Women Peel Labels Off Their Beer Bottles When At The Bar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-women-peel-labels-off-their-beer-bottles-when-at-the-bar/298920)
**Author:** [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-women-peel-labels-off-their-beer-bottles-when-at-the-bar/298920 "2021-10-25T01:02:46Z")
I just heard this referenced in a country song even, and it prompted me to ask. I have lived in a few states, and as a tradesman, have always found a neighborhood bar to hang out at after work. I like being a regular, a… --- ## [Does the south have any redeeming qualities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2021, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115 "2021-10-25T00:49:43Z")
It seems to me that the American South doesn’t have any redeeming qualities besides good food. Are there any other good things about it? --- ## [Language used around transgender issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-used-around-transgender-issues/952697)
**Author:** [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2021, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-used-around-transgender-issues/952697 "2021-10-24T21:42:28Z")
Your guidance on that point seems unclear. You also seem to be warning against the use of the word “sex” when it is referring to biology by pointing to guidance that talks about gender. For the purpose of this thread is… --- ## [Question about LEO "bragging rights", re: getting shot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-leo-bragging-rights-re-getting-shot/938188)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-leo-bragging-rights-re-getting-shot/938188 "2021-10-24T15:44:56Z")
Just a light question I thought of last night. On FBI, one of the characters got shot (at) by the bad guy, and his vest stopped the round. I believe his comment was “bruised a rib, but didn’t break the skin.” It got me… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=230) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=232)