# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=452 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 453 --- ## [Fedex, If it Absolutely Positively Does Not need to be there this year.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fedex-if-it-absolutely-positively-does-not-need-to-be-there-this-year/823135)
**Author:** [@szabrocki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/szabrocki)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fedex-if-it-absolutely-positively-does-not-need-to-be-there-this-year/823135 "2018-10-28T01:12:21Z")
I am so angry. After Fedex ignored my instructions to ring my doorbell when they had to drop off a return box for my broken laptop and just left it outside my secure building. I finally got it two days later. A neighbor … --- ## [Lottery installments vs. buying a huge annuity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-installments-vs-buying-a-huge-annuity/823297)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-installments-vs-buying-a-huge-annuity/823297 "2018-10-28T00:50:58Z")
Sorry to jump on the lottery-thread bandwagon, but… Is there a meaningful financial difference between a winner taking a giant lump sum and then using a large portion of it to buy an annuity that will last the rest of t… --- ## [How to kill an hour or two in NYC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-an-hour-or-two-in-nyc/822924)
**Author:** [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-kill-an-hour-or-two-in-nyc/822924 "2018-10-27T20:13:03Z")
In a week, I’m going to visit my brother and SIL who moved to New York this year. I know all the major attractions, but I plan on spending a lot of my time on muy own just milling around. Sometimes with my camera. So if … --- ## [How does your Permanent Record look?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-your-permanent-record-look/823550)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-your-permanent-record-look/823550 "2018-10-27T19:02:20Z")
“I want you to know this will go on your Permanent Record\[sup\]®\[/sup\].” So whaddaya got: Suspensions? Memos? Wrist slaps? Not asking about criminal records–stuff can get old and fall off of those, or get sealed, or be… --- ## [Wiring 12v automotive relays to need two hots to trigger - would this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-12v-automotive-relays-to-need-two-hots-to-trigger-would-this-work/823574)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring-12v-automotive-relays-to-need-two-hots-to-trigger-would-this-work/823574 "2018-10-27T15:28:14Z")
I’ve been puzzling this in my head, and I think I have an idea, but know there are Dopers with much more comprehensive auto and electrical knowledge than me, so I thought I’d ask for advice. The context is wiring a 12v … --- ## [Is it okay for a business to refuse to sell to suspected hoarders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-for-a-business-to-refuse-to-sell-to-suspected-hoarders/823286)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-for-a-business-to-refuse-to-sell-to-suspected-hoarders/823286 "2018-10-27T14:44:03Z")
If I have customers who are spending half of their annual income on my products, and the products really shouldn’t cost more than 5-10% of their annual income tops, can I limit annual spending? I feel bad when a custome… --- ## [How is the Dyson Hand vacuum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-dyson-hand-vacuum/823450)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-dyson-hand-vacuum/823450 "2018-10-27T11:16:09Z")
I recently moved from a house to an apartment and I left my Dyson floor vacuum (which I loved) behind. In the new place I have a non Dyson vacuum for the floor but it lacks the Dyson-ness I love and I think I need a han… --- ## [EDL march in Manchester](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edl-march-in-manchester/823354)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edl-march-in-manchester/823354 "2018-10-27T06:41:55Z")
The EDL (a racist organisation) held a march in Manchester, one of the UK’s bigger cities. The turnout was… underwhelming. :slight\_smile: The Poke has the story and some of the funnier reactions. We don’t have much tru… --- ## [Should cats be spayed before first heat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cats-be-spayed-before-first-heat/823262)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cats-be-spayed-before-first-heat/823262 "2018-10-27T04:43:03Z")
In terms of fitness and health, are there more data/anecdotes on one side vs the other? --- ## [Lasik - tell me your experiences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-tell-me-your-experiences/822956)
**Author:** [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-tell-me-your-experiences/822956 "2018-10-27T04:27:19Z")
So - I’ve scheduled my appointment to have Lasik done - I’ve been aggervated by my glasses and eyes for a while now and have decided to give this a go - Curious about more real world experiences from strangers - mostly… --- ## [Recommended daily water consumption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommended-daily-water-consumption/822852)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommended-daily-water-consumption/822852 "2018-10-27T02:37:20Z")
You ever try to drink a gallon of water every day? “They” say you should drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water every day to achieve optimal hydration. After a consultation with a nurse following a lifestyle evaluation, I tr… --- ## [Is there a website to help find churches with evening services?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-to-help-find-churches-with-evening-services/823455)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-to-help-find-churches-with-evening-services/823455 "2018-10-27T02:23:34Z")
Due to my schedule it is hard for me to attend the usual Sunday morning church service. I used to go to a church that had a 5pm Sunday service but moved to a new area and am having trouble finding churches that have a ev… --- ## [What kind of scam is this? What do they really want?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-what-do-they-really-want/822138)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-scam-is-this-what-do-they-really-want/822138 "2018-10-26T19:27:37Z")
I got the following in my email: The actual return address was a completely different name in Macedonia. There was nothing to click on so it wasn’t phishing. What kind of scam is it? --- ## [CPAP cleaners - Ozone vs UV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-cleaners-ozone-vs-uv/823451)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-cleaners-ozone-vs-uv/823451 "2018-10-26T14:37:41Z")
I’ve got a CPAP machine and I love it! But I am terrible at cleaning it. And I know I’m not going to get better at cleaning it, so I want to buy a cleaning machine. There are two: The SoClean 2 which uses ozone to clean… --- ## [Un-fun Purchases of 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263)
**Author:** [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-fun-purchases-of-2018/823263 "2018-10-26T01:31:43Z")
Today I had to go in and order a replacement key from the dealer for my '04. It might address a few electronic issues the car is having (i.e. auto door locks – batteries weren’t replaceable in these fobs) but it’s pretty… --- ## [Will airlines allow you to go standby this way](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-airlines-allow-you-to-go-standby-this-way/823511)
**Author:** [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-airlines-allow-you-to-go-standby-this-way/823511 "2018-10-25T22:13:18Z")
My wife has a flight from: Mexico to Detroit Detroit to JFK, Then JFK to Boston. Anyone know if they ever let people go standby, and just fly straight to Boston from Detroit, and skip the JFK flight. She’d obviously… --- ## [A Better Mouse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-better-mouse/823371)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-better-mouse/823371 "2018-10-25T19:21:09Z")
I have been periodically putting down mouse traps (Victor snap traps) in my garage over the years, and have had no problem catching mice. Until now. Since we live next to a national forest small critters of varying type… --- ## [Mechanical wristwatches, not very cheap or expensive: What brands/models should I be looking at?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-wristwatches-not-very-cheap-or-expensive-what-brands-models-should-i-be-looking-at/822947 "2018-10-25T17:34:48Z")
I’ve decided that I really miss being able to simply lift my wrist and read the time, so now\* I want to buy a wristwatch. I know nothing about watches these days, e.g. what brands or outlets I should be looking for. L… --- ## [Platy in My Aquarium](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/platy-in-my-aquarium/823387)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/platy-in-my-aquarium/823387 "2018-10-25T14:50:38Z")
I have a 10-gallon aquarium in my office. It’s nothing fancy. I have a few tetras, platys and a snail. The bottom has the usual aquarium gravel and a bunch of artificial plants. I keep the filters clean. Last Friday… --- ## [you are alone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-alone/823477)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2018, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-alone/823477 "2018-10-25T13:55:39Z")
This is something I have a problem with and it concerns this nonduality bit. It’s a bit off of the “everything is one”, and the aspect of there not being an independent self. How everything that appears seperate is just … --- ## [Use of thinning shears for haircuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-thinning-shears-for-haircuts/677486)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-thinning-shears-for-haircuts/677486 "2018-10-25T02:28:08Z")
By thinning shears, I mean these. My hair is pretty short \[important fact WRT to my question\] so I get it cut every six weeks or so. I’ve had good haircuts and bad, sometimes from the same hairdresser and sometimes in s… --- ## [I suggest we stop using "Liberal" and "Conservative" as nouns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suggest-we-stop-using-liberal-and-conservative-as-nouns/823350)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-suggest-we-stop-using-liberal-and-conservative-as-nouns/823350 "2018-10-24T20:52:58Z")
Politics are divisive enough as it is. By labeling somebody as “a liberal” or “a conservative,” you assign a set of beliefs and opinions on practically every issue imaginable. We all know people are more complex than t… --- ## [Logistical/advice resources for expecting parents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logistical-advice-resources-for-expecting-parents/818779)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logistical-advice-resources-for-expecting-parents/818779 "2018-10-24T20:22:04Z")
My wife and I are expecting our first child in January (woo-hoo), and we’re looking for a particular type of book, or perhaps online resource, which is not a pregnancy book (she already has one she likes) and not a paren… --- ## [DO we make ourselves feel things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-make-ourselves-feel-things/823107)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-make-ourselves-feel-things/823107 "2018-10-24T19:26:16Z")
I’m saying that in regards to emotions. Part of it is from what Buddhists call the wisdom of emptiness, in that nothing has any inherent essence to it. So when we experience emotions is it right to say that we make ourse… --- ## [Why are the leaves still green?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-leaves-still-green/823375)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-leaves-still-green/823375 "2018-10-24T18:24:27Z")
It’s late October, and most trees still have green leaves. One exception is my dogwood tree that began to change in late August. In what way is this year different from other years? Is this related to climate change, and… --- ## [What do/did you call your grandparents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-did-you-call-your-grandparents/823186)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-did-you-call-your-grandparents/823186 "2018-10-24T18:23:20Z")
Assuming that you called them anything at all. Mine were all born in the 1800’s and so they became grandparents long before the trend of inventing names so I had 2 Grandmas, a Grandpa and a Granddad. I’m becoming a gra… --- ## [Engineers tear apart Tesla Model 3 to see what makes it tick (YouTube video)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineers-tear-apart-tesla-model-3-to-see-what-makes-it-tick-youtube-video/823399)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineers-tear-apart-tesla-model-3-to-see-what-makes-it-tick-youtube-video/823399 "2018-10-24T17:31:48Z")
Thought some folks might be interested in this video about some engineers who tore apart the Tesla Model 3 to see how it’s put together and comment on it’s design. I found it pretty interesting, anyway. https://www.you… --- ## [What are your go-to "fun" internet sites at work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-go-to-fun-internet-sites-at-work/823245)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-go-to-fun-internet-sites-at-work/823245 "2018-10-24T17:31:33Z")
Inspired by this thread where at least three people opined that they typically read/post here at work. I thought it was interesting, because although I’m a big Dope reader, I never read it at work, and instead peruse Sl… --- ## [Will a passport automatically be denied for a failure to appear warrant for a Felony charge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-passport-automatically-be-denied-for-a-failure-to-appear-warrant-for-a-felony-charge/784299)
**Author:** [@TheWhitePorsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheWhitePorsche)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-a-passport-automatically-be-denied-for-a-failure-to-appear-warrant-for-a-felony-charge/784299 "2018-05-08T20:33:33Z")
I have scoured the internet endlessly for the answer to this question. Attorneys that i have spoken with are also left scratching their heads. The state department web-site is vague, citing that a passport “may be” denie… --- ## [Who are these two guys in the Trump/Past Presidents painting parody?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-these-two-guys-in-the-trump-past-presidents-painting-parody/823406)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-these-two-guys-in-the-trump-past-presidents-painting-parody/823406 "2018-10-24T15:13:27Z")
In this parody of Trump’s painting of himself with past Republican presidents, who are the two guys on the right that are above and below O’Reilly? The guy with the mutton chops and the standing guy behind O’Reilly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=451) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=453)