# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=43 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 44 --- ## [Is it rude to be barefoot when entertaining guests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-be-barefoot-when-entertaining-guests/1021481)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-be-barefoot-when-entertaining-guests/1021481 "2025-07-31T20:59:33Z")
I wasn’t sure where to ask this since it’s not really a factual question. If you’re having people over, is it impolite to not wear shoes? I walk around shoeless all the time, and would everywhere if I could. --- ## [Worst Mistake Your Parents Made](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-mistake-your-parents-made/1018965)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-mistake-your-parents-made/1018965 "2025-07-31T04:43:06Z")
I’ve been ruminating a lot about how I grew up lately, which is not the best thing to do, especially now that both my parents are dead. Maybe I couldn’t bring myself to think about this stuff in depth before. When I th… --- ## [Selling or donating a beat up car. Thoughts, experiences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-or-donating-a-beat-up-car-thoughts-experiences/1021157)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-or-donating-a-beat-up-car-thoughts-experiences/1021157 "2025-07-30T15:41:51Z")
Inna and I just bought a new car so I’m looking to get rid of my 2017 Chevy Cruze. The car has over 250,000 miles on it, the transmission is wonky, there is a crack on the windshield in the lower passenger-side corner, p… --- ## [Explain ebay bidding strategy (bidding early)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-ebay-bidding-strategy-bidding-early/1020702)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-ebay-bidding-strategy-bidding-early/1020702 "2025-07-30T14:00:51Z")
I’m currently selling a pocket watch on ebay. The auction has been running for 4 days and has 3 days to go. There are currently 4 bids, from 4 different buyers. Each bid was the minimum: $2.50 above the previous bid. Sin… --- ## [Do you feel that people who get proprietary over baby names have a point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-that-people-who-get-proprietary-over-baby-names-have-a-point/1020853)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-that-people-who-get-proprietary-over-baby-names-have-a-point/1020853 "2025-07-29T20:34:04Z")
I’ve found the Dopers to, on the whole, be a reasonable and rational people, not prone to hysteria or foolishness. So maybe my question doesn’t apply to this community as a whole, but nevertheless, here we go. I read adv… --- ## [Bedroom painting question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedroom-painting-question/1020958)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedroom-painting-question/1020958 "2025-07-29T18:26:24Z")
We are repainting a bedroom. Ceiling and closet high-white, same with the door and window trim. I am thinking of semi-gloss; I just don’t like the look of glossy trim and doors. The walls will probably be a light peac… --- ## [Post-death casseroles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-death-casseroles/1020947)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-death-casseroles/1020947 "2025-07-29T17:43:11Z")
Something I’ve seen portraying in movies or television shows is people (friends, fellow church members, neighbors) delivering multiple casseroles to a grieving family or perhaps one that just brought a new baby home. Fir… --- ## [Is your bed made?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-bed-made/1019828)
**Author:** [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-bed-made/1019828 "2025-07-29T06:59:42Z")
Right this minute, is your bed made? Is it normally made? Do you make it or does someone else? --- ## [Are we now at the point where future archeologists/historians can't possibly misunderstand or not know what our current-day items, objects and events are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-now-at-the-point-where-future-archeologists-historians-cant-possibly-misunderstand-or-not-know-what-our-current-day-items-objects-and-events-are/1021235)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-now-at-the-point-where-future-archeologists-historians-cant-possibly-misunderstand-or-not-know-what-our-current-day-items-objects-and-events-are/1021235 "2025-07-29T01:00:45Z")
There are plenty of times when modern archeologists look at ancient Sumeria, Babylon, Egypt and think “What’s this object” or “What exactly happened in 3000 BC?” but I think we are now, or long-past, the point where ever… --- ## [Alaska vacation wisdom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alaska-vacation-wisdom/1020214)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alaska-vacation-wisdom/1020214 "2025-07-28T18:59:59Z")
I asked this board in a previous thread for wisdom about a Grand Canyon trip introduced as this: The experiences shared were very helpful, and having just finished that trip (it was great!) I return to the well asking … --- ## [What is the difference between smoking and vaping-- from the user's point of view?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-smoking-and-vaping-from-the-users-point-of-view/1021366)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-smoking-and-vaping-from-the-users-point-of-view/1021366 "2025-07-28T10:35:00Z")
What is the difference in the experience from the point of view of the smoker? Taste, relaxation, the buzz, addictiveness, cost, the coolness factor? (I grew up in an era when smoking was very cool.) Full disclosure: I … --- ## [In other First World countries, do police have the same issues as American police (better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-first-world-countries-do-police-have-the-same-issues-as-american-police-better-explained-in-op/1021227)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-other-first-world-countries-do-police-have-the-same-issues-as-american-police-better-explained-in-op/1021227 "2025-07-28T00:50:50Z")
I’m trying not to poison the well here before the discussion starts, but I think that all Americans can agree, in the abstract, that American police kill people more often than they probably should, minorities in particu… --- ## [What are some things that you absolutely cannot have someone else do for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-that-you-absolutely-cannot-have-someone-else-do-for-you/1020592)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-things-that-you-absolutely-cannot-have-someone-else-do-for-you/1020592 "2025-07-27T20:19:34Z")
I was thinking the other day of how I’d live my life if I were exhorbitantly wealthy, and one of the things I thought of would be having a valet do shit that I don’t want to do. He or she could, for example, schedule my … --- ## [TREX for deck.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trex-for-deck/523294)
**Author:** [@Coalcracker0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coalcracker0)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trex-for-deck/523294 "2025-07-27T13:34:17Z")
Happy new year, all! I’m planning to add a deck to my house in the spring. Does anyone here have experience with TREX for a deck? I’ve heard both bad and good, so will you folks share your TREX stories with me? Thank… --- ## [The best money you NEVER spent? (Better explained in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-money-you-never-spent-better-explained-in-op/1021336)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-money-you-never-spent-better-explained-in-op/1021336 "2025-07-27T02:55:25Z")
What are some things you’ve gotten that you didn’t necessarily ask for or earn, but instead were given to you out of nowhere, or you found, or whatever. The most obvious answer for me would be my house. We were renting … --- ## [Sympathy for Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sympathy-for-trump/1021361)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sympathy-for-trump/1021361 "2025-07-27T02:52:03Z")
Yeah, I know. I hate most of the things he and his cohort are doing/attempting, and yet… Increasingly I see a flood of suggested youtube vids about Trump stinking. As in, literally smelling so bad people around him ar… --- ## [Familial terminology Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/familial-terminology-question/1021352)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/familial-terminology-question/1021352 "2025-07-26T15:08:26Z")
Hi I hope someone can answer this question for me. A man marries his second cousin once removed. Are the children of that marriage simply the nephews and nieces of the man’s siblings or are they the man’s siblings’ cous… --- ## [HDMI to optical audio converter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdmi-to-optical-audio-converter/1021300)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2025, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hdmi-to-optical-audio-converter/1021300 "2025-07-26T04:33:56Z")
I just got a new old receiver. A pioneer, 15-20 years old, has 5.1 and Dolby Pro Logic 1 and 2. It is working great for music and I can also send A/V from the computer to the TV and to L/R tower speakers. I do not hav… --- ## [Why do cowboys say "Yippee Ki Yay"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cowboys-say-yippee-ki-yay/1019865)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cowboys-say-yippee-ki-yay/1019865 "2025-07-25T23:05:04Z")
Or “Whoopee ti yi”, if you prefer. (I fully expect half the responses to be about Die Hard. Go ahead.) First: I assume they’re addressing the cows? To what end? But my real question is: why are they addressing cows … --- ## [Tell me about being an air traffic controller, please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-being-an-air-traffic-controller-please/317626)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-being-an-air-traffic-controller-please/317626 "2025-07-25T21:21:47Z")
Are there any air traffic controllers on the board? I’m about halfway through my degree programme now, and need to seriously start thinking about a career. Air traffic controller sounds like an interesting job (is it?)… --- ## [Tipping = Good Service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-good-service/455424)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-good-service/455424 "2025-07-25T13:29:10Z")
So over in this Pit Thread Chowder had trouble getting a knife and fork at a chinese restaurant, and subsequently didn’t leave a tip. While it wasn’t the thrust of the pitting, several people jumped in and said it is nev… --- ## [I suspect my co-worker has dementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suspect-my-co-worker-has-dementia/1021225)
**Author:** [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suspect-my-co-worker-has-dementia/1021225 "2025-07-25T04:35:09Z")
Like the title says, i’ve long suspected that an old dude at my work is losing his mind. I watched my mother succumb to alzheimer’s a few years ago. A lot of the signs are there with this guy. My problem: I’m not sure … --- ## [DVRs for saving Colbert & Daily Show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvrs-for-saving-colbert-daily-show/1021069)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvrs-for-saving-colbert-daily-show/1021069 "2025-07-25T02:04:24Z")
CBS has announced it’s cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Daily Show is rumored to be next. I remember when a fan petition drive saved Star Trek TOS for a season. That won’t be enough now, IMO. The of… --- ## [Which of today's musical groups will still be around in 20 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-musical-groups-will-still-be-around-in-20-years/74504)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-todays-musical-groups-will-still-be-around-in-20-years/74504 "2025-07-25T01:59:26Z")
It occurred to me the other day that one reason I think classic rock is better than current music is because I’m only hearing the stuff that was good enough to survive for the past 20 or 30 years. If I could hear everyth… --- ## [Lewy Body Dementia-- any experience with it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lewy-body-dementia-any-experience-with-it/1020368)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lewy-body-dementia-any-experience-with-it/1020368 "2025-07-24T23:43:01Z")
A close friend of mine-- high school friend, age 78-- has been experiencing strange visual hallucinations for the past few months. As in seeing people who (probably) aren’t there. In her back yard. On her front porch. T… --- ## [Cat with giardiasis—who has experience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-with-giardiasis-who-has-experience/1017192)
**Author:** [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-with-giardiasis-who-has-experience/1017192 "2025-07-24T13:52:14Z")
We got a new cat—a quite kittenish orange tabby, whom we have dubbed Guillermo, nickname Gizmo. He is a rescue cat, and the people we adopted him from were upfront with us that he had had giardiasis—an infection by a pa… --- ## [How ought communities react to youth "takeovers"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-ought-communities-react-to-youth-takeovers/1020748)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-ought-communities-react-to-youth-takeovers/1020748 "2025-07-24T04:06:26Z")
For those who are unaware, apparently a takeover is when groups of (I think mostly young, often of color) people agree over social media to meet at a specific location and “take it over.” I believe Chicago had at least … --- ## [Power of Attorney (New York State)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-of-attorney-new-york-state/1020376)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-of-attorney-new-york-state/1020376 "2025-07-24T00:29:12Z")
As described elsewhere (MPSIMS I think) my mother passed away in May, and when it seemed like nothing was being done to sell the house which had been pre-bequethed to each of us, I decided and found the time to come to N… --- ## [ForeignDopers: What do your Foreign Ministries say about travel to the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreigndopers-what-do-your-foreign-ministries-say-about-travel-to-the-us/578258)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreigndopers-what-do-your-foreign-ministries-say-about-travel-to-the-us/578258 "2025-07-23T23:54:44Z")
Inspired by even sven’s post in the Africa/New Guinea thread: And in fact, that information sheet is pretty amusing. You can read it here - Canadians, evidently, should also watch out for volcanos, hurricanes, whooping… --- ## [Opinions sought (inheritance)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-sought-inheritance/1021127)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-sought-inheritance/1021127 "2025-07-23T23:11:08Z")
TL;DR I really don’t know where to look for advice on this subject. I am asking for opinions than actual advice. Here is the situation. My wife and I are in our late 80s. We have assets that will likely be in the ne… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=44)