# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=995 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 996 --- ## [Losing friends after divorce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-friends-after-divorce/704941)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-friends-after-divorce/704941 "2014-11-18T19:53:43Z")
I’m divorced seven months (technically separated, final shortly), and I was wondering what people’s experiences are with losing friends, especially couple-friends after a divorce/separation/breakup. My personal experien… --- ## [Ever Been on TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-on-tv/704271)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-on-tv/704271 "2014-11-18T18:53:02Z")
The future is now - tell us of your fifteen minutes of fame! TV appearances only. Any context is fine. For me - \[ul\]\[li\]When I was in first grade, the local news showed me raising my hand in a class at our local muse… --- ## [On TV, why do alcoholics always order club soda?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-tv-why-do-alcoholics-always-order-club-soda/704747)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-tv-why-do-alcoholics-always-order-club-soda/704747 "2014-11-18T17:54:11Z")
Got to thinking about this on the “Asinine laws” thread. On TV, whenever the grizzled cop (who most of the recovering alcoholics are) go into a bar, they order club soda. They never order Coke, or ginger ale, or juice, o… --- ## [Places/cultures where corruption is routine, who teaches people the rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-cultures-where-corruption-is-routine-who-teaches-people-the-rules/704950)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-cultures-where-corruption-is-routine-who-teaches-people-the-rules/704950 "2014-11-18T17:24:33Z")
I’m curious about this living in a place where corruption is basically the norm, I didn’t grow up here but my wife did and she says most of it is rich people problems and the rest well you call on your family who knows s… --- ## [Should I be doing more to help my estranged mentally-ill brother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-doing-more-to-help-my-estranged-mentally-ill-brother/704448)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-doing-more-to-help-my-estranged-mentally-ill-brother/704448 "2014-11-18T16:56:12Z")
With the holidays creeping up I am feeling more familial than usual, and my thoughts go back to my estranged brother ‘Mike’. Here’s some background in a thread I wrote last year, but the short of it is that Mike, who has… --- ## [How strong is the obligation to attend a close family member's wedding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-the-obligation-to-attend-a-close-family-members-wedding/704748)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-is-the-obligation-to-attend-a-close-family-members-wedding/704748 "2014-11-18T16:07:40Z")
My wife’s brother is getting married. We live in Indiana and he in Florida. We’re a family of six. Flying is out of the question. Driving our own vehicle is also out of the question due to reliability issues. Driving a r… --- ## [Racial minorities over-represented on court shows...why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-minorities-over-represented-on-court-shows-why/598140)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-minorities-over-represented-on-court-shows-why/598140 "2014-11-18T15:51:23Z")
I’m talking about Judge Judy, Peoples Court, and the half dozen others. I’ve observed that racial minorities are over-represented and wonder why… especially in light of another observation: that one or both of the part… --- ## [You own an empty lot and discover a home was built by mistake. What do you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-own-an-empty-lot-and-discover-a-home-was-built-by-mistake-what-do-you-do/702265)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-own-an-empty-lot-and-discover-a-home-was-built-by-mistake-what-do-you-do/702265 "2014-11-18T15:37:10Z")
Real story that recently happened. If you were the landowner what would you do? Cash in for a big juicy payoff? Trade them for another lot (they own 18 lots)? Or just say, pay me a fair price for the land? --- ## [I'm considering going back to school for web development or something like it. Advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-considering-going-back-to-school-for-web-development-or-something-like-it-advice/704951)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-considering-going-back-to-school-for-web-development-or-something-like-it-advice/704951 "2014-11-18T14:33:46Z")
I’ve been thinking of getting a career in something useful, where there are actual jobs. I have a bachelors in Philosophy from 2003 that I’ve never used, and I haven’t had a “real” job in years. My husband is military an… --- ## [The Knowledge of London.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knowledge-of-london/704286)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knowledge-of-london/704286 "2014-11-18T13:57:47Z")
Being a London Taxi Driver. The article damn near wore me out. Know anyone who accomplished the feat of getting a Green Badge? Do tell. --- ## [Nome, Alaska taxes local churches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nome-alaska-taxes-local-churches/704865)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nome-alaska-taxes-local-churches/704865 "2014-11-18T12:51:37Z")
For the first time in America, a city has decided to tax churches. The village of Nome is failing. Revenues are down, costs are up. They can’t afford to allow free rides, much like many towns in the USA. So they’ve done … --- ## [Why do some people stop so far back from red lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-stop-so-far-back-from-red-lights/661280)
**Author:** [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-stop-so-far-back-from-red-lights/661280 "2014-11-18T12:43:48Z")
I wasn’t sure which board this should go in as I’m not sure there is a “factual” reason for this occurence. I’m not a native New Yorker. I moved here a handful of years ago. So there’s a thing motorists do around here t… --- ## [What is the worst single factual mistake ever made by one person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-single-factual-mistake-ever-made-by-one-person/704221)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-single-factual-mistake-ever-made-by-one-person/704221 "2014-11-18T05:51:50Z")
(And please don’t tell me about your marriage. :slight\_smile: ) I’m interested in cases where one person made one mistake; A simple, factual mistake which could easily have been prevented with a little care, and whic… --- ## [I'll be watching over a litter of pups for a couple weeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-watching-over-a-litter-of-pups-for-a-couple-weeks/704733)
**Author:** [@Boogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boogly)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-watching-over-a-litter-of-pups-for-a-couple-weeks/704733 "2014-11-18T05:32:49Z")
And I would like pointers. I’ve raised puppies but never as a litter. There are 7 pups and they will be 7 weeks when I start watching them for my niece next week. They will have their first set of shots and vet visit … --- ## [What was the worst US military mistakes (battles) in WW II?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-worst-us-military-mistakes-battles-in-ww-ii/704663)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-worst-us-military-mistakes-battles-in-ww-ii/704663 "2014-11-18T04:34:11Z")
see hed. Something about Perceval in the Pacific? --- ## [Gifts idea - 18 year old HS senior headed to college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-idea-18-year-old-hs-senior-headed-to-college/704708)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-idea-18-year-old-hs-senior-headed-to-college/704708 "2014-11-18T00:09:43Z")
I’m struggling to come up with a unique gift idea for my 18 year old son who is likely headed to college next year. He is a t-shirt and jeans kind of kid and doesn’t go to concerts. He had a good phone and a laptop. I’m… --- ## [Rooting Galaxy S4?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rooting-galaxy-s4/704712)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rooting-galaxy-s4/704712 "2014-11-17T22:53:46Z")
I hate bloatware. It makes me nuts to think that my computer might have unnecessary crap running. When I buy a computer, the first thing I do is reformat the hard drive and start with a fresh install of Windows. When … --- ## [Home audio/home theater experts: advice about speaker wire, set-up, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-audio-home-theater-experts-advice-about-speaker-wire-set-up-etc/703708)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-audio-home-theater-experts-advice-about-speaker-wire-set-up-etc/703708 "2014-11-17T21:33:56Z")
So, I finally got sick of having a TV with a great picture (Panasonic plasma) and crappy sound. I also wanted to have a better sound system available in the living room for music (CDs, MP3, streaming, etc.). Our situati… --- ## [Someone I don't know has a Comcast account at my address...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-i-dont-know-has-a-comcast-account-at-my-address/704855)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-i-dont-know-has-a-comcast-account-at-my-address/704855 "2014-11-17T21:08:39Z")
I don’t know the person in question. Someone from Comcast left a notice on my apartment door about the service being disconnected-except that I myself turned off my cable a year ago, and thus have no cable box. I opene… --- ## [You were just given $500...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-were-just-given-500/703795)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-were-just-given-500/703795 "2014-11-17T20:56:35Z")
You must spend it on something for yourself. Can’t payoff a debt or bill. Can’t spend it on someone else. Can’t donate it to charity, political cause, or someone else. Can’t use it as a down payment on something bigg… --- ## [How should one react to being asked if they sell illegal narcotics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-one-react-to-being-asked-if-they-sell-illegal-narcotics/703157)
**Author:** [@therealyankey27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/therealyankey27)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-one-react-to-being-asked-if-they-sell-illegal-narcotics/703157 "2014-11-17T20:21:55Z")
So, I got a call about 20 minutes ago, and wasn’t able to answer, as it only rung once. I called the number back and the person who answered said they have no record of the call whatsoever. I replied “Okay then, sorry fo… --- ## [Stolen credit card info — how is it being used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-credit-card-info-how-is-it-being-used/704838)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-credit-card-info-how-is-it-being-used/704838 "2014-11-17T20:12:06Z")
So for the first time in my life (to my knowledge), someone managed to steal my credit card number and attempted (but failed, thankfully) to use it at a couple of major retailers. I have no idea whether I screwed up some… --- ## [Straight married men: did you ask your wife's father for her hand in marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-married-men-did-you-ask-your-wifes-father-for-her-hand-in-marriage/704478)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-married-men-did-you-ask-your-wifes-father-for-her-hand-in-marriage/704478 "2014-11-17T18:16:13Z")
For that matter: straight married women, did your husband ask your father for your hand? For anyone who answers yes: how did you feel about doing so? I am not going to apologize for asking the question only of persons … --- ## [The Internet is supposed to represent the Information Age. Why do news links disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-internet-is-supposed-to-represent-the-information-age-why-do-news-links-disappear/704796)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-internet-is-supposed-to-represent-the-information-age-why-do-news-links-disappear/704796 "2014-11-17T18:13:28Z")
Information Age. That’s supposed to be the world we live in today. Wikipedia is a wonderful and somewhat accurate resource for practically any subject. They even have cites at the end of the articles. You ever try clic… --- ## [Dating if you're wealthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dating-if-youre-wealthy/704637)
**Author:** [@Whitney\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whitney_Harper)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dating-if-youre-wealthy/704637 "2014-11-17T18:05:45Z")
I read an article recently about a single woman about age 30 that had inherited about 5 million dollars from her deceased parents. The article stated that when she went out on dates, she did not mention her wealth, and … --- ## [Would someone walk me through the sequence of events re getting a new cell phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-walk-me-through-the-sequence-of-events-re-getting-a-new-cell-phone/704542)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-someone-walk-me-through-the-sequence-of-events-re-getting-a-new-cell-phone/704542 "2014-11-17T17:43:13Z")
The desired objectives: I wind up with a new cell phone, a BlackBerry Q10 (this will be my fourth BlackBerry–I like them–not interested in another brand). I wind up with a new carrier, AT&T. I"m currently with Sprint a… --- ## [Is there any way to make a room smell good semi-permanently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-make-a-room-smell-good-semi-permanently/704475)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-make-a-room-smell-good-semi-permanently/704475 "2014-11-17T16:41:41Z")
The question is pretty much in the title. Obviously “good” is subjective. I would like to find an easy, set and forget way to make a room smell good as long term as possible. The less artificial/chemical-ish the smell, t… --- ## [Help, I Have An Arm Cast!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-i-have-an-arm-cast/704616)
**Author:** [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-i-have-an-arm-cast/704616 "2014-11-17T16:36:13Z")
The title says it all. I’ve been walking around with a broken wrist and a splint for the past month or so. Had a consult with the hand surgeon yesterday. He threw as fit as to why nobody put a cast on me because the … --- ## [What does "single" mean in the context of relationships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-single-mean-in-the-context-of-relationships/704718)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-single-mean-in-the-context-of-relationships/704718 "2014-11-17T14:22:50Z")
Occasioned by this thread Would you consider this to be single or not? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board I always thought “single” meant “not married at this moment”. Nothing more and nothing less. Ev… --- ## [How do people learn a foreign language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-learn-a-foreign-language/704527)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-learn-a-foreign-language/704527 "2014-11-17T13:39:12Z")
On another thread a person talked about all the languages she knew. How do you do that? I mean here in the US, at least where I live, you take foreign languages in school but even 3 years of HS spanish wont make one bil… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=994) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=996)