# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=428 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 429 --- ## [Dog treats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-treats/828450)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2019, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-treats/828450 "2019-01-27T05:57:52Z")
I am training my puppeh, the divine Miss Akiko, and I’d like to mix up her training treats a bit. I’d like something super deluxe for when I want to do a bigger than usual reward, or when she’s learning something new. Fo… --- ## [Advice on savings with mail order pharmacy plans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-savings-with-mail-order-pharmacy-plans/826646)
**Author:** [@dblenks90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dblenks90)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-savings-with-mail-order-pharmacy-plans/826646 "2019-01-26T23:16:16Z")
Hey all, So, just looking into this for myself for 2019, wondering if anyone else has already researched this, but basically I’m looking at increasing premiums for my prescription med coverage going into next year. I’m … --- ## [Am I pushing my luck regarding backordered items](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-pushing-my-luck-regarding-backordered-items/828390)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-pushing-my-luck-regarding-backordered-items/828390 "2019-01-26T20:47:29Z")
At the beginning I emailed a company that sells welders and asked them if anyone in my area stocks them, that way I wouldn’t have to pay the shipping fee as well as not having to worry about it getting banged up in trans… --- ## [Snowmobiles in reality shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snowmobiles-in-reality-shows/828406)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snowmobiles-in-reality-shows/828406 "2019-01-26T20:29:04Z")
I have seen this several times in those shows about Alaska. The subject of the show goes off on their snowmobile and gets stuck. One time it was a couple each on their own machine so they doubled up and got most of the … --- ## [Best cell phone with talk and text only? aka need help with smartphone addiction..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cell-phone-with-talk-and-text-only-aka-need-help-with-smartphone-addiction/828427)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cell-phone-with-talk-and-text-only-aka-need-help-with-smartphone-addiction/828427 "2019-01-26T20:13:10Z")
Hey all, So my phone got dropped in Golden Canyon at Death Valley, and, well, the canyon is made out of rock. :stuck\_out\_tongue: So that’s it for the phone. But I already budgeted for a new phone in June, and I do not … --- ## [Singing in an empty building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singing-in-an-empty-building/828446)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singing-in-an-empty-building/828446 "2019-01-26T16:40:52Z")
I imagine a lot of us have noticed how much better we sound when singing in an empty building or tunnel. What I am wondering is this. Besides the effects of reverberation on our sounds is their something else happening t… --- ## [Alternate uses for a lead-lined film protector pouch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-uses-for-a-lead-lined-film-protector-pouch/827392)
**Author:** [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-uses-for-a-lead-lined-film-protector-pouch/827392 "2019-01-26T04:27:52Z")
I’m old and have a lead lined pouch for protecting camera film when going through airport x-ray machines. Like this. Are there any alternate/modern/current/hip uses for this? It’s in great shape, it was well made and di… --- ## [Crazy lease restrictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-lease-restrictions/828357)
**Author:** [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-lease-restrictions/828357 "2019-01-26T02:34:13Z")
So even being a landlord myself I am occasionally shocked at some of the crazy lease restrictions I’ve seen or heard of and how utterly ridiculous or unfair people can be and often get away with. One recently I was made… --- ## [Polite form of address for strangers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polite-form-of-address-for-strangers/828229)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polite-form-of-address-for-strangers/828229 "2019-01-25T23:01:22Z")
What’s the polite form of address for a stranger whose preferred gender you don’t know? Recently I was at the mall when the person ahead of me dropped a dollar bill. How should I have called after that person? Sir? Ma’am?… --- ## [Tips to make boring work more enjoyable/go by faster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-make-boring-work-more-enjoyable-go-by-faster/828382)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-make-boring-work-more-enjoyable-go-by-faster/828382 "2019-01-25T22:22:50Z")
I am starting my very first job and while it is easy, it is also really boring, I check some small metal parts for any damages and I get a box of like a 1.000 of them and check each and every one, then another box,etc. I… --- ## [Volleyball shorts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volleyball-shorts/356336)
**Author:** [@Ellephant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellephant)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volleyball-shorts/356336 "2019-01-25T20:03:24Z")
Hello. Long time lurker first time poster. I’ve got a concern that had lead me to take the plunge and register. My oldest daughter has recently become completely enraptured by the game of volleyball. Indeed this is grea… --- ## [Only 4 percent of women think they are beautiful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-4-percent-of-women-think-they-are-beautiful/828271)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-4-percent-of-women-think-they-are-beautiful/828271 "2019-01-25T19:43:35Z")
Question for Dope ladies (although men are welcome to chime in too): Dove had a survey that claimed that only 4 percent of women worldwide think they are beautiful. Does this sound right to you? I thought the figure w… --- ## [European cities less important than they were?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-cities-less-important-than-they-were/828288)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-cities-less-important-than-they-were/828288 "2019-01-25T17:22:13Z")
In a GQ thread: Which reminded me of the St Lewis central business district: once home to the Olympics, the biggest passenger rail hub I’ve ever seen, major river port, and now rather empty looking. What European citi… --- ## [You can't judge a \[video\] by the cover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-judge-a-video-by-the-cover/828154)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-judge-a-video-by-the-cover/828154 "2019-01-25T15:14:45Z")
The revival of brick & mortar video store thread brought back some memories. It wasn’t so long ago that I used to walk the aisles of video store shelves picking through dvd’s or VHS tapes, looking at the cover art or at … --- ## [Was there ever a time in your memory when people were optimistic about the future/economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-in-your-memory-when-people-were-optimistic-about-the-future-economy/828228)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-time-in-your-memory-when-people-were-optimistic-about-the-future-economy/828228 "2019-01-25T14:58:31Z")
I’m thinking back almost 5 decades, and the only time I can recall people actually being optimistic about the economy or the future in general was a brief period in the mid to late 90s during the dot-com bubble. And eve… --- ## [In USA, is "white" just codeword for anyone of European ancestry? Because I thought..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-usa-is-white-just-codeword-for-anyone-of-european-ancestry-because-i-thought/827011)
**Author:** [@Alexis\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alexis_1)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-usa-is-white-just-codeword-for-anyone-of-european-ancestry-because-i-thought/827011 "2019-01-25T10:44:57Z")
I thought Many people of Middle Eastern and North African ancestry were considered “white” in America. Yes I know that many of them are also “brown”. Still they are very diverse in looks. It shocked me that people like R… --- ## [Landlord installing "smart" devices throughout building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-installing-smart-devices-throughout-building/828109)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-installing-smart-devices-throughout-building/828109 "2019-01-25T10:06:24Z")
Heard about a situation where an apartment building’s owner was installing various “smart” devices thoughout a building (tenant is a relative of a friend). Everything from smart thermostat to electronic door locks (with… --- ## [Third Rails in American Journalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-rails-in-american-journalism/827865)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-rails-in-american-journalism/827865 "2019-01-25T05:31:26Z")
On a lesser part of the Internet, the term was thrown out. I was wondering if we could make a list. In the past, stories like FDR’s paralysis or JFK’s lovelife were suppressed. More recently pedophiles in public life an… --- ## [Chronic medical conditions that can easily be treated but would otherwise be fatal (e.g. diabetes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chronic-medical-conditions-that-can-easily-be-treated-but-would-otherwise-be-fatal-e-g-diabetes/828179)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chronic-medical-conditions-that-can-easily-be-treated-but-would-otherwise-be-fatal-e-g-diabetes/828179 "2019-01-25T00:30:00Z")
“Easy” is of course relative, but what other medical conditions are like diabetes where the patient can easily take some kind of medication on a regular basis to manage it, yet if they didn’t have the medication the cond… --- ## [Advice on computer chairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-computer-chairs/828176)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-computer-chairs/828176 "2019-01-24T20:51:36Z")
I sometimes sit in my computer chair for some hours so I need something more comfortable than what I currently have. I presume that gaming chairs tend to be designed for long term comfort, correct? Anything I should kno… --- ## [Tips pitching to giants as an undiscovered inventor in a new field](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-pitching-to-giants-as-an-undiscovered-inventor-in-a-new-field/828040)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-pitching-to-giants-as-an-undiscovered-inventor-in-a-new-field/828040 "2019-01-24T20:41:29Z")
I think I may dedicate the rest of my life’s work to the newborn fields of Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR), although the details of these fields aren’t vital to this thread. I’m radically creative, and I k… --- ## [Help me comprehend illegal immigration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-comprehend-illegal-immigration/828307)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-comprehend-illegal-immigration/828307 "2019-01-24T10:53:05Z")
I’m hoping someone can simplify the numbers and stats on illegal immigration. In my research, I’m finding really conflicting data. For one, the majority of illegal immigrants are coming from Mexico. However, the majorit… --- ## [The (instant and painless) death of Trump voters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-instant-and-painless-death-of-trump-voters/828310)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-instant-and-painless-death-of-trump-voters/828310 "2019-01-24T07:47:20Z")
Hope this doesn’t head to the Pit - maybe still a discussable hypothetical with strict modding: I’ve wrestled with this one a while, debating inwardly whether it was appropriate to post or not - admins can lock it shut … --- ## [Citi cards -- Do you receive a return envelope with your bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citi-cards-do-you-receive-a-return-envelope-with-your-bill/828213)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citi-cards-do-you-receive-a-return-envelope-with-your-bill/828213 "2019-01-24T02:42:39Z")
The question is in the title. If you A) have a Citibank credit card; and B) receive your bill in the mail, do they send a return envelope with your bill? --- ## [Garbage In/Garbage Out in criminal justice AI systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garbage-in-garbage-out-in-criminal-justice-ai-systems/828211)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garbage-in-garbage-out-in-criminal-justice-ai-systems/828211 "2019-01-24T01:10:20Z")
I just came across an article related to the American criminal justice system that should be very disturbing. With over 2 million Americans in prison or jail (and 7 million when parolees and probationees are included), … --- ## [Hot Water Heater Care: Two Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-heater-care-two-questions/828095)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-water-heater-care-two-questions/828095 "2019-01-23T23:17:23Z")
I have a 50-gallon electric hot water heater (for residential use) with two heaters, upper and lower. It is close to 14 years old. For some stupid reason, I never thought of flushing the vessel for period maintenance. I… --- ## [Why do Brits find Gingers so horrifying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-find-gingers-so-horrifying/827815)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-find-gingers-so-horrifying/827815 "2019-01-23T21:04:26Z")
I was watching the BBC documentary Magic Numbers, The Mysterious World of Maths and noticed that the presenter had red hair. Not a dye job, because she is translucently pale like fine china, just a natural ginger. I wo… --- ## [Upside Dow Locks Harder To Pick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upside-dow-locks-harder-to-pick/828208)
**Author:** [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upside-dow-locks-harder-to-pick/828208 "2019-01-23T18:03:23Z")
My landlord just got through replacing all the locks in the building. We have a new lock at the main door and all the apartments. Also we have new lock boxes for the mail. I noticed that in all the locks on my apt door… --- ## [Setting up a small business network](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-small-business-network/825899)
**Author:** [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-up-a-small-business-network/825899 "2018-12-12T20:22:56Z")
I’m expanding my company from a single person home based business to a small office with 3 employees and I’m planning on adding a 4th before my lease runs out. There is the potential to have 7 people on the network if th… --- ## [House of Commons may do something sensible: proxy votes for MPs on parental leave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-commons-may-do-something-sensible-proxy-votes-for-mps-on-parental-leave/828226)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-of-commons-may-do-something-sensible-proxy-votes-for-mps-on-parental-leave/828226 "2019-01-23T10:32:28Z")
MPs are to vote on trialling a scheme for pregnant women and new parents. BBC article here. Given the recent shenanigans, I’m shocked that something sensible is on their agenda. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=427) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=429)