# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=312 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 313 --- ## [Is the term "Oreo" a racial/ethic slur?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-term-oreo-a-racial-ethic-slur/855512)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-term-oreo-a-racial-ethic-slur/855512 "2020-06-29T19:17:30Z")
I was recently involved in a discussion where someone white called a public figure an “Oreo.” No one in the room was African-American, but one participant (an Asian) objected. Is “Oreo” a racist term to be slapped down,… --- ## [Charitable Contribution 'Matching' Challenges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charitable-contribution-matching-challenges/913386)
**Author:** [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charitable-contribution-matching-challenges/913386 "2020-06-29T17:53:30Z")
This is meant as more of a GQ, but there might not be any hard factual answer, so I’ma put it here. “If you donate now, your contribution will be matched by a challenge amount from the ACME Corporation - so your contrib… --- ## [What was you first apartment (or whatever it was) like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-you-first-apartment-or-whatever-it-was-like/913309)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-you-first-apartment-or-whatever-it-was-like/913309 "2020-06-29T17:11:50Z")
For whatever reason I got to reminiscing about the crappy little apartment I lived in from my senior year in college until I finished my Master’s degree. So now I’m interested in hearing about what other Dopers’ first r… --- ## [Construction letter to neighbors, good or bad idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/construction-letter-to-neighbors-good-or-bad-idea/913255)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/construction-letter-to-neighbors-good-or-bad-idea/913255 "2020-06-29T14:57:41Z")
Starting pretty soon we are going to have a contractor tear out our rear deck and put in a new one (reasons of durability and safety, the old deck is rotting away under our feet), a process that should not take more than… --- ## [I think ANTIFA need to start wearing aloha shirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-antifa-need-to-start-wearing-aloha-shirts/913258)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-antifa-need-to-start-wearing-aloha-shirts/913258 "2020-06-29T13:59:50Z")
Back in the '90s, there was a Hilo Hattie store near my office. I amassed a small collection of aloha shirts. And why not? Southern California is hot. They’re comfortable. Frank Sinatra wore one in From Here To Eter… --- ## [Putting India flag on my patio, am I being dumb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-india-flag-on-my-patio-am-i-being-dumb/912133)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-india-flag-on-my-patio-am-i-being-dumb/912133 "2020-06-29T03:10:32Z")
I live in a Texas neighborhood where perhaps 40% of the local residents are Indian, and also some Nepalis (and perhaps Pakistanis/Bangladeshis as well.) I like national flags, and used to collect several of them. I have… --- ## [FWD self propelled walk behind lawnmower on hill, how much does it suck? (also RWD on flat)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fwd-self-propelled-walk-behind-lawnmower-on-hill-how-much-does-it-suck-also-rwd-on-flat/913218)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fwd-self-propelled-walk-behind-lawnmower-on-hill-how-much-does-it-suck-also-rwd-on-flat/913218 "2020-06-28T21:04:45Z")
I’ve heard that for self propelled walk behind mowers, if you have a flat lawn get FWD , if on a slope get RWD. I’m curious about 2 things here, why the difference especially on flat ground as it wouldn’t seem to matte… --- ## [LiveJournal (Yeah, not Dead yet)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/livejournal-yeah-not-dead-yet/912868)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/livejournal-yeah-not-dead-yet/912868 "2020-06-28T17:48:16Z")
Why’s it in disrepute, aside from “no one blogs there any more because no one blogs there any more”? Just curious. I have a Wordpress mirror and a Blogger mirror. The environments don’t seem to be any better for bloggin… --- ## [A need a recommendation for a water sealant for this application](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-need-a-recommendation-for-a-water-sealant-for-this-application/911087)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-need-a-recommendation-for-a-water-sealant-for-this-application/911087 "2020-06-28T00:06:50Z")
I have this above-ground swimming pool: Robot or human? (except that mine is an older model). This pool has four “windows” around the walls of the pool. These windows leak. Badly. The leaks start as cracks in the bl… --- ## [Are They Deliberately Not Bagging My Groceries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-they-deliberately-not-bagging-my-groceries/913167)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-they-deliberately-not-bagging-my-groceries/913167 "2020-06-27T19:48:38Z")
It’s happened more than once. At this one grocery store in the southern suburbs. They didn’t bag one of my groceries. Then it happened again. Anyway I now use self-checkout. So that matter has largely been resolved. Now… --- ## [Natural gas outdoor grill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-gas-outdoor-grill/855218)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-gas-outdoor-grill/855218 "2020-06-27T17:23:05Z")
Might buy one for a new house. Anyone have a good one and what is the cost? --- ## [Teaching chess strategy to kids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teaching-chess-strategy-to-kids/197524)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teaching-chess-strategy-to-kids/197524 "2020-06-27T16:56:19Z")
All my kids (girls, 7 1/2, 10. and 11 1/2) have learned to play chess. At least, they know how the pieces move. I’m struggling how to teach them that chess is a game of strategy, not just moving the pieces and capturin… --- ## [What sunscreen and bug spray can you store in your car that won't decompose in the heat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sunscreen-and-bug-spray-can-you-store-in-your-car-that-wont-decompose-in-the-heat/913263)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2020, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sunscreen-and-bug-spray-can-you-store-in-your-car-that-wont-decompose-in-the-heat/913263 "2020-06-27T07:02:16Z")
I think I asked this before, but looking in search I’m not seeing it. Anyway, with car interiors reaching 170F or so when its hot out, what forms of anti-tick/mosquito spray as well as sunscreen could a person store in … --- ## [Awfully old for your first time!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awfully-old-for-your-first-time/855707)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2020, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awfully-old-for-your-first-time/855707 "2020-06-27T06:32:28Z")
Over the weekend, we were at some friends’ house. They had a fire, and we made s’mores. Their 90 year old mother is staying with them, and asked if we would make her a s’more, since she’d never had one. Struck me as o… --- ## [Induction stove top?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/induction-stove-top/855791)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/induction-stove-top/855791 "2020-06-26T21:31:17Z")
Moving to a new place with an induction stove top. Do I need to get all new pots and pans that are iron? I know cast iron frying pans are popular but what about pots? What I have now are not iron , I guess they… --- ## ["See, what had happened was..." Do white folks ever say this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/see-what-had-happened-was-do-white-folks-ever-say-this/439024)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/see-what-had-happened-was-do-white-folks-ever-say-this/439024 "2020-06-26T21:14:55Z")
As a preface to a poor excuse or flat-out lie? The first time I ever heard this expression it was from Will Smith’s character on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Since then, I’ve only heard it from black people. I hear it… --- ## [Suggestions for spinning up knowledge of middle/high school geometry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-spinning-up-knowledge-of-middle-high-school-geometry/913267)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-spinning-up-knowledge-of-middle-high-school-geometry/913267 "2020-06-26T20:22:05Z")
I’m a retired electrical engineer who’s done a lot of math tutoring over the years. And I’m doing more of it in retirement. I’ve tutored everything though first-year college calculus, with one exception: geometry. This … --- ## [Do I need to destroy decades-old cancelled checks and other financial paperwork?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-destroy-decades-old-cancelled-checks-and-other-financial-paperwork/855566)
**Author:** [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-destroy-decades-old-cancelled-checks-and-other-financial-paperwork/855566 "2020-06-26T18:09:31Z")
I am going through boxes of paperwork that we have dragged around the country with us for decades because we have been too lazy to take care of it. The advice I heard is keep taxes for 7 years. I’m reluctant to part wi… --- ## [American Indian names for pets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-indian-names-for-pets/912164)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-indian-names-for-pets/912164 "2020-06-26T17:03:45Z")
My dog, Penny has the American Indian name, “Farts a Lot” for obvious reasons. My Wife’s dog, who gingerly takes treats from my hand and, if they are large, drops them, has the name “Drops Her Cookies”. What is the Ame… --- ## [Celebrities or businesses apologizing just angers both sides and pleases no one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-or-businesses-apologizing-just-angers-both-sides-and-pleases-no-one/855929)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrities-or-businesses-apologizing-just-angers-both-sides-and-pleases-no-one/855929 "2020-06-26T16:02:01Z")
Reading about Drew Brees’ recent apology, and Chick Fil-A’s apology over LGBT issues, and a host of other such apologies by celebrities or businesses, one trend generally appears: Aforementioned celebrity or business wi… --- ## [Do you prefer to use 24 hour time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-to-use-24-hour-time/855274)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-prefer-to-use-24-hour-time/855274 "2020-06-26T05:44:48Z")
Poll to follow. I’m an absolute yes. --- ## [Why leave trash on your front lawn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-leave-trash-on-your-front-lawn/912721)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-leave-trash-on-your-front-lawn/912721 "2020-06-26T01:44:52Z")
Not at all a big problem, just hoping someone can help me make sense of a minor thing I perceive in my neighborhood. One of my neighbors regularly leaves large pieces of trash on their front lawn. Trash day is tomorrow… --- ## [Laptop charging issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-charging-issue/913091)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-charging-issue/913091 "2020-06-26T01:43:33Z")
On Monday the electrician will be here to upgrade my electrical. I work from home and the power will be out much of the day. My work laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad (I hate it). I have a couple power banks. One is 15,000 mA… --- ## [Any other introvert/extroverts out there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-other-introvert-extroverts-out-there/855518)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-other-introvert-extroverts-out-there/855518 "2020-06-25T20:28:01Z")
I’ve taken the Meyers-Briggs test a couple of times and one thing I’ve noticed is that on the Introvert / Extrovert continuum, I tend to score kind of in the middle (leaning towards Extrovert). In practice, what I’ve no… --- ## [Is your oven/stove gas or electric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-oven-stove-gas-or-electric/855824)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2020, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-oven-stove-gas-or-electric/855824 "2020-06-25T12:29:38Z")
Poll coming. I’ve never seen a hybrid but I left options for it in the poll. If you’d like, indicate where you live. Me both gas (thank God) and Chicago. --- ## [How many 2021 calendars have you gotten so far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-2021-calendars-have-you-gotten-so-far/912584)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2020, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-2021-calendars-have-you-gotten-so-far/912584 "2020-06-25T09:21:23Z")
I’m thinking of the freebie calendars that nonprofits send you in the hopes that you’ll send them money. I got one last week from The Nature Conservancy, and another today from another enviro group. So: two, and counti… --- ## [Strange medical question: Why would my xiphoid process suddenly stick out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-medical-question-why-would-my-xiphoid-process-suddenly-stick-out/911136)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-medical-question-why-would-my-xiphoid-process-suddenly-stick-out/911136 "2020-06-25T01:18:00Z")
(Mods: Please move to the applicable forum area). I understand no medical advice is a substitution for a doctor’s visit, but given the pandemic and the waiting period to get into a new GP (I have no gp) I thought I’d at… --- ## [Inkwells in school desks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inkwells-in-school-desks/855640)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inkwells-in-school-desks/855640 "2020-06-24T21:53:14Z")
I was watching one of the lesser-known Peanuts specials on archive.org and noticed that all the school desks had inkwells. I checked the date, and the special was from 1990. Is it just me, or is that insanely late to be … --- ## [Anyone else that hates aftermarketed look/ricer cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-that-hates-aftermarketed-look-ricer-cars/855920)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-that-hates-aftermarketed-look-ricer-cars/855920 "2020-06-24T20:33:18Z")
I’m not sure if cars that have flashy afermarket headlights, overly tinted windows,etc. are also considered as ricer cars or only extremely modified ones, but I honestly can’t stand them. For example if I see an older c… --- ## [Why do some people treat their weight like it's a secret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-treat-their-weight-like-its-a-secret/912663)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-treat-their-weight-like-its-a-secret/912663 "2020-06-24T20:09:51Z")
First of all, I totally understand why it is rude to ask someone their weight, and I’m not suggesting that people do so. It is totally rude. What I don’t get, though, is why some people treat their weight as if it is so… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=311) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=313)