# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=911 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 912 --- ## [You are visiting Africa, what do you want to know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-visiting-africa-what-do-you-want-to-know/719716)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-visiting-africa-what-do-you-want-to-know/719716 "2015-05-14T20:19:30Z")
I am thinking of a travel-advice related project, and I am hoping you all can help me brianstorm. Here is the hypothetical: A few weeks ago, you dropped your business card in one of those boxes at the local cafe, and yo… --- ## [I need to replace one of my balls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-replace-one-of-my-balls/719954)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-replace-one-of-my-balls/719954 "2015-05-14T19:59:01Z")
I just picked up a vintage, wooden, Arriflex tripod and head. Great condition, only the ball on the end of one of the lockdown levers is missing. I found this one online for 75 cents. But shipping was over $11. (Also… --- ## [Am I the Only One to Find White Noise F'ing Annoying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-to-find-white-noise-fing-annoying/719902)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-to-find-white-noise-fing-annoying/719902 "2015-05-14T18:21:01Z")
I keep hearing that white noise gently blocks distracting other noises, that it helps you relax and sleep and all that. Not me. You know what white noise is like to me? SSSSSHHHHWOOOOSOSHSHSSHHHEHESSSSSHHHHWOOOOSOSHSH… --- ## [Is there any way that a car lease can be economical in a high mileage car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-that-a-car-lease-can-be-economical-in-a-high-mileage-car/719943)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-that-a-car-lease-can-be-economical-in-a-high-mileage-car/719943 "2015-05-14T16:41:58Z")
Just that. Would a lease be worth getting in a car that averages over 17,000 miles a year? I have owned many cars but never leased so be gentle with me. --- ## [How long would it take people to get over an alien visit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-people-to-get-over-an-alien-visit/719958)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-people-to-get-over-an-alien-visit/719958 "2015-05-14T14:54:17Z")
Suppose a small alien craft lands in, I dunno, Istanbul, and a group of ETs gets out. They have a translator and say, in essence: “We weren’t really sure what you’d be like, but we’re happy to see you’re reasonably intel… --- ## [How come my immunse system seems better now that I'm on immunosupressants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-my-immunse-system-seems-better-now-that-im-on-immunosupressants/703861)
**Author:** [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-my-immunse-system-seems-better-now-that-im-on-immunosupressants/703861 "2015-05-14T13:48:06Z")
I’ve been on methotrexate for about a year now, and in that time I’ve had one very minor cold. I usually get quite a few colds due to various factors - I have asthma, I’m a teacher, I travel by tube, I have a daughter at… --- ## [Should the term "you guys" refer to males only, or is it more or less genderless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-term-you-guys-refer-to-males-only-or-is-it-more-or-less-genderless/719931)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-term-you-guys-refer-to-males-only-or-is-it-more-or-less-genderless/719931 "2015-05-14T13:46:19Z")
My wife thinks if one uses the term, as in, “hey, what are you guys doing this weekend?”, that it should apply only to the male of the species. I think it’s become such a general term that it’s fine to use for a mixed gr… --- ## [Include small family business startup experience on resume?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/include-small-family-business-startup-experience-on-resume/719950)
**Author:** [@Whiteknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiteknight)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/include-small-family-business-startup-experience-on-resume/719950 "2015-05-14T12:06:10Z")
I am revising my engineering resume and I am debating whether to include my work on a small, family owned/operated business that I co-founded and co-own. It does not have any technical similarities to my main job but has… --- ## [Could there be a reason to either cancel or postpone the US elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-there-be-a-reason-to-either-cancel-or-postpone-the-us-elections/719848)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-there-be-a-reason-to-either-cancel-or-postpone-the-us-elections/719848 "2015-05-14T12:04:44Z")
Let’s say its November 1rst 2015, and right before the US fall elections the president comes online and announces that he is using presidential authority to postpone the elections. Could it happen? Could there be say a… --- ## [How bad does a mens bikini wax hurt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-does-a-mens-bikini-wax-hurt/719896)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-does-a-mens-bikini-wax-hurt/719896 "2015-05-14T10:33:50Z")
How bad does a mens bikini wax hurt? Like on a scale of 1 to 10 and do girls find a manscaped man hot or a hairy man? --- ## [Recommendation letter when applying for rental apartment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-letter-when-applying-for-rental-apartment/719575)
**Author:** [@birchtree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birchtree)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendation-letter-when-applying-for-rental-apartment/719575 "2015-05-14T04:27:04Z")
After living in my apartment for 16 years, circumstances have changed and I have to move. I assume that a recommendation letter from my current landlord wouldn’t hurt my chances when I apply for my next apt, so I’m aski… --- ## [Medicare and How the Game is Played](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-and-how-the-game-is-played/719891)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-and-how-the-game-is-played/719891 "2015-05-14T00:02:52Z")
so, I am now on Medicare with a “Plan F” supplement and a private policy which actually includes Part D. I have been using sleeping pills for 15 years. I have had osteoarthritis for 10 years. Kidney failure for 7 year… --- ## [Does everyone, gay or straight, seek out a mate like their parent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-everyone-gay-or-straight-seek-out-a-mate-like-their-parent/719877)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-everyone-gay-or-straight-seek-out-a-mate-like-their-parent/719877 "2015-05-13T23:59:49Z")
Without getting deeply into the Oedipus complex and Freud, I’m given to understand men marry women who remind them somehow of their mothers, and women marry men who remind them somehow of their fathers. I kind of unders… --- ## [Domestic disturbance: Do you call the police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-disturbance-do-you-call-the-police/719933)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-disturbance-do-you-call-the-police/719933 "2015-05-13T23:25:06Z")
The hypo: The first occurrence you hear your neighbors screaming and yelling. You hear stuff being thrown around and you even hear a lady scream, as if in pain. A scream which in fact, pushes you over the edge to call t… --- ## [Do some people really think its okay to comment on someone weight gain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-really-think-its-okay-to-comment-on-someone-weight-gain/719345)
**Author:** [@Rossiekerr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rossiekerr)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-some-people-really-think-its-okay-to-comment-on-someone-weight-gain/719345 "2015-05-13T22:25:39Z")
One of my co worker pointed out that I had put on weight in front of other 2 co workers that she works with on her overnight shifts. Then she was like Canadians don't want to be told with smile on her face. Obviously I … --- ## [This is why I love my fiancee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-i-love-my-fiancee/719808)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-i-love-my-fiancee/719808 "2015-05-13T21:44:24Z")
I presented the Monty Hall Problem to her and asked her “so do you switch?” She stared at me incredulously. “Well, of course you do, you have a two-thirds chance of winning that way. It’s a Bayesian problem.” What a … --- ## [Question for non-Americans - sports talk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-non-americans-sports-talk/719464)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-non-americans-sports-talk/719464 "2015-05-13T21:42:10Z")
In American language many times sports reference gets into our lingo. For example “up to par” is a golf term and refers to something that is up to a set standard. “Against the ropes” is a boxing term meaning being beaten… --- ## [Using s/he is correct grammar right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-s-he-is-correct-grammar-right/719964)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-s-he-is-correct-grammar-right/719964 "2015-05-13T21:20:57Z")
I’ve just had a somewhat surreal conversation elsewhere on the interwebs where several people got bent out of shape because I used the above in a sentence, they insisted that ‘s/he’ is not proper grammar or acceptable us… --- ## [New car's clutch: why/how/what is this "feature"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cars-clutch-why-how-what-is-this-feature/719766)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cars-clutch-why-how-what-is-this-feature/719766 "2015-05-13T19:51:18Z")
I’ve owned many cars in my life, all but one have been manual transmissions. I just traded my only automatic ever in on a 2014 Jeep Wrangler 6 speed manual. I am happy as can be. But as I’ve been getting used to the new… --- ## [Dullest car you'd be perfectly happy driving.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dullest-car-youd-be-perfectly-happy-driving/719875)
**Author:** [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dullest-car-youd-be-perfectly-happy-driving/719875 "2015-05-13T19:28:23Z")
So, we’ve doneideal daily driver and we’ve done cars you’re nostalgic about for the perfect weekend drives. Let’s round it out with the less than dream inspiring car that you’re strangely drawn to and would probably be … --- ## [Need an attitude adjustment or a sanity check](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-attitude-adjustment-or-a-sanity-check/719700)
**Author:** [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-attitude-adjustment-or-a-sanity-check/719700 "2015-05-13T17:05:33Z")
I need some kind strangers to either give me an honest smackdown or sanity check that my inclinations are correct on some things. I know I can depend on you SD folks to deliver. :stuck\_out\_tongue: TL;DR Need to know … --- ## [Can zombies climb ladders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-zombies-climb-ladders/719847)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-zombies-climb-ladders/719847 "2015-05-13T16:35:08Z")
Warning; posting in a zombie thread. Har har. Anyway, to specify type of zombie, we’re talking classic Romero shamblers, none of this fast zombie running nonsense. So, it’s the day we’ve all been planning for, the outb… --- ## [Comma usage in this sentence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comma-usage-in-this-sentence/719858)
**Author:** [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comma-usage-in-this-sentence/719858 "2015-05-13T16:33:09Z")
There’s a bit of a debate at work about how to properly use commas in this sentence, and I wanted to get opinions. Where would you place commas? “Several years ago X son of Y did Z.” The debate arises because if you t… --- ## [Anyone familiar with southern West Virginia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-familiar-with-southern-west-virginia/719713)
**Author:** [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-familiar-with-southern-west-virginia/719713 "2015-05-13T16:29:30Z")
Are there any Dopers out there who live in/near southern West Virginia? Mrs. Gap and I have been looking for a retirement house and have seen some very affordable and charming houses in this area. I realize it’s coal cou… --- ## [Can a company reimburse an employee for their Medicare premium-need kind of quickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-company-reimburse-an-employee-for-their-medicare-premium-need-kind-of-quickly/719941)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-company-reimburse-an-employee-for-their-medicare-premium-need-kind-of-quickly/719941 "2015-05-13T16:22:21Z")
My company had a policy of reimbursing those of us long in the tooth who’d signed up for Medicare, the cost of their premiums, whilst removing that employee from the company health care plan. We’re now being told that p… --- ## [To be remembered...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-be-remembered/719908)
**Author:** [@seadoggie01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seadoggie01)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-be-remembered/719908 "2015-05-13T15:34:52Z")
Somedays I’m fine. I go to work, I come home, I eat, I go to bed. Other nights I stay up all night trying to calm this roaring within me. I hear it sometimes in music. Other times, though, it is just a whisper. A little … --- ## [Can You Beat the 1000 Card Challenge? (Riddle #3)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-beat-the-1000-card-challenge-riddle-3/719770)
**Author:** [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-beat-the-1000-card-challenge-riddle-3/719770 "2015-05-13T14:14:01Z")
Here is the last of the brain teasers that arose from our annual family gathering a week ago. The game is the “1000 Card Challenge.” Please read the puzzle and vote without reading the responses. If you have a way to bea… --- ## [Children playing at being animals: bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-playing-at-being-animals-bad/719777)
**Author:** [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-playing-at-being-animals-bad/719777 "2015-05-13T13:20:39Z")
My daughter is nearly five and likes to play at being a cat, or a dog. She wants to be Baby Cat/Dog, with me being The Owner, or Daddy Cat/Dog. She tends to want to repeat the same two “plots” over and over, usually endi… --- ## [Is there anything more hateful than automated dialing machines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-more-hateful-than-automated-dialing-machines/719883)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-more-hateful-than-automated-dialing-machines/719883 "2015-05-13T12:51:03Z")
During the past twenty years, I have been on the receiving end of many phone calls that were generated by automated dialing machines. The people who own these machines and are able to profit from them keep getting smart… --- ## [Could Another "9/1/1" Take Place In The USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-another-9-1-1-take-place-in-the-usa/719794)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-another-9-1-1-take-place-in-the-usa/719794 "2015-05-13T09:21:44Z")
Based upon my many trips to Logan Airport (Boston), I say “yes”. First: the TSA is not good at recognizing really suspicious behavior. They focus on random searches, and use no systematic means of targeting. -Second: … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=910) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=912)