# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1123 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1124 --- ## [A little advice please: looking for step tracker and Spotify](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-advice-please-looking-for-step-tracker-and-spotify/963785)
**Author:** [@TXRebel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXRebel)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-advice-please-looking-for-step-tracker-and-spotify/963785 "2022-05-02T15:51:42Z")
Hi all! I haven’t posted in a long time so if I’m in the wrong forum please feel free to move it. For his birthday this year I would like to buy my brother a step tracker that he can play Spotify on while he walks. He is… --- ## [Tipping for home repair/work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-home-repair-work/963616)
**Author:** [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-for-home-repair-work/963616 "2022-05-02T15:10:35Z")
When hiring someone to work on your house, do you tip them? for instance, you hire someone to do some yard work and repair a fence and the charge is $500.00. Do you give them a percentage above that? --- ## [What's this gummy stuff on my clothes after I wash them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-gummy-stuff-on-my-clothes-after-i-wash-them/963564)
**Author:** [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-gummy-stuff-on-my-clothes-after-i-wash-them/963564 "2022-05-02T14:37:37Z")
Twice now since I moved into our house a year ago I’ve had several items of clothing in a load ruined by this sticky, gummy substance. At first I thought my husband had left a piece of gum in a pocket, but then it happen… --- ## [No fireworks for Israel Independence Day over PTSD concerns (ABC News)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fireworks-for-israel-independence-day-over-ptsd-concerns-abc-news/963809)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fireworks-for-israel-independence-day-over-ptsd-concerns-abc-news/963809 "2022-05-02T14:35:11Z")
So, Israel will have “pyrotechnic displays”, but no “fireworks”. Over PTSD concerns. All I have to say is, - good for them. That’s even through I really enjoy the magical display of the fireworks that light up the sky… --- ## [Just Finished The Lincoln HIghway SPOILERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-finished-the-lincoln-highway-spoilers/963804)
**Author:** [@smokey78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smokey78)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-finished-the-lincoln-highway-spoilers/963804 "2022-05-02T14:32:37Z")
I rarely ever read fiction, but this one caught my eye when I glanced at my local library’s recommendations. , my interested perked up since folks mentioned a shocking ending. I did enjoy it so I was surprised at folks g… --- ## [Interested in knowing who the French would rank as the top 5-10 most inspirational public figures in terms of their oratory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interested-in-knowing-who-the-french-would-rank-as-the-top-5-10-most-inspirational-public-figures-in-terms-of-their-oratory/963807)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interested-in-knowing-who-the-french-would-rank-as-the-top-5-10-most-inspirational-public-figures-in-terms-of-their-oratory/963807 "2022-05-02T13:41:33Z")
I’ve been following the commentary on Macron’s oratory. There’s been quite a bit of debate as to his ability to inspire people. I’m intersted in knowing who the French would generally rank as the top 5-10 most inspirati… --- ## [How is the Greek economy managing to pay out its debt and regular expenses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-greek-economy-managing-to-pay-out-its-debt-and-regular-expenses/963670)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-greek-economy-managing-to-pay-out-its-debt-and-regular-expenses/963670 "2022-05-02T12:48:55Z")
GDP of Greece is slowly recovering, but it’s import is 40% larger than it’s export. It’s in budget deficit of -7.5 of the GDP, even though it’s supposed to have a suficit of +2% until 2060 to pay out the bailout debts (… --- ## [Chess strategy question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-strategy-question/963721)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-strategy-question/963721 "2022-05-02T12:24:48Z")
I watch a lot of chess videos by agadmator and gothamchess and they do a good job of explaining strategy behind moves but the problem is that they never talk strategy about the openings since they are all standard book m… --- ## [Excel Help: Count a cell if another cell is not blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-help-count-a-cell-if-another-cell-is-not-blank/963735)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-help-count-a-cell-if-another-cell-is-not-blank/963735 "2022-05-02T12:20:10Z")
Difficulty: NO MACROS “Count” the cell is probably the wrong term when talking Excel. I want to do this: Cell A1 has a number value. Cell B1 may be blank or not blank. I want Cell C1 to have value of Cell A if and on… --- ## ["My Spy" (spoilers of course)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-spy-spoilers-of-course/963799)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-spy-spoilers-of-course/963799 "2022-05-02T11:26:52Z")
I find it rather fruitless to discuss a movie without actually discussing the movie, so I do have spoilers. This is absolutely a delightful movie that features Dave Bautista and Kristen Schaal playing CIA operatives ass… --- ## [If you were drafted by an NFL team](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-drafted-by-an-nfl-team/963746)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-drafted-by-an-nfl-team/963746 "2022-05-02T10:07:52Z")
…what would the pundits say? In my case, it would probably be: “Bit of a headscratcher in the 6th round, as the Giants select unknown Jackmanni, who not only has never played organized football but is old enough to be … --- ## [How far away was DS9 from Bajor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-away-was-ds9-from-bajor/523858)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-away-was-ds9-from-bajor/523858 "2022-05-02T09:48:20Z")
After it was moved nearer to the wormhole in the pilot episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, that is. Too far away for transporter use, IIRC, but did the screenwriters ever say - or were they consistent - as to how lon… --- ## [The Never Ending Coversation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-coversation/915944)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-coversation/915944 "2022-05-02T06:27:26Z")
It’s a simple game - players create a conversation between two people, say Brain and Swallow. One of these two people at a time. https://www.festivalclaca.cat/pics/b/10/104111\_people-sitting-at-table-silhouette-png.png … --- ## [Why when selling/buying a property do the buyer and seller never meet? (home sales)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-when-selling-buying-a-property-do-the-buyer-and-seller-never-meet-home-sales/962085)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-when-selling-buying-a-property-do-the-buyer-and-seller-never-meet-home-sales/962085 "2022-05-02T05:23:44Z")
I saw a post on Reddit asking this question but I never expect good answers there. The main answer (so far) seems to be to avoid racial discrimination. Ok…maybe but I’m dubious. Anecdotally, every time I have purchase… --- ## [Helicopter in Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopter-in-hawaii/963750)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopter-in-hawaii/963750 "2022-05-02T04:36:11Z")
And a shout out to Johnny L.A. Because I believe he used to pilot a Robinson Helo. What a dandy machine. Had a two hour tour of Hawaii (big island) in one with just me my Wife and the pilot. I got to ride in left front.… --- ## [Got my chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771 "2022-05-02T03:32:40Z")
I’m reading 25 years at my job at the college, so I earned my chair. https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279460367\_10101026912760743\_3139725921171555711\_n.jpg?\_nc\_cat=111&ccb=1-5&\_nc\_sid=730e14&\_nc\_ohc=Vm… --- ## [Can we please have a better week in the MMP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-better-week-in-the-mmp/963398)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 295\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-have-a-better-week-in-the-mmp/963398 "2022-05-02T02:32:47Z")
Last week was at a ridiculous degree of difficulty. Poster/family/pet medical woes, financial hassles, one poster living near a wildfire… We all need this week to be a lot better, I think. On the plus side, feline truc… --- ## [Today's Google doodle: Route 66](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-google-doodle-route-66/963724)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-google-doodle-route-66/963724 "2022-05-02T00:30:28Z")
Today’s Google “doodle” features a animated tribute “Celebrating Route 66”. So I’m inspired to start this thread. Do you have any good (or bad) stories or memories of taking the California trip? I’ve driven the route i… --- ## [Uploading images and scrolling up jank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uploading-images-and-scrolling-up-jank/951365)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uploading-images-and-scrolling-up-jank/951365 "2022-05-01T23:12:55Z")
Created a new thread not to pollute the old one with tech talk. It costs money to host photos. Not going to happen. (And i can scroll up just fine.) One of the Discourse sites i use is funded by donations, and the ow… --- ## [How I Met Your Mother - Is Barney no longer acceptable/funny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-is-barney-no-longer-acceptable-funny/963425)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 211\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-is-barney-no-longer-acceptable-funny/963425 "2022-05-01T22:24:11Z")
My wife and I have recently been binging HIMYM. We never watched it regularly before, and are really enjoying it. The other day we mentioned it to our son who said something like, "The character of Barney would be cons… --- ## [Fool Me Twice: April Mini-Rants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fool-me-twice-april-mini-rants/962109)
**Author:** [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fool-me-twice-april-mini-rants/962109 "2022-05-01T21:25:19Z")
I have a scratchy throat and a very runny nose. I am trying to decide whether to use one of my gov’t issued rapid Covid tests. --- ## [Former best friend is dying, and I feel nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-best-friend-is-dying-and-i-feel-nothing/963618)
**Author:** [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-best-friend-is-dying-and-i-feel-nothing/963618 "2022-05-01T18:58:19Z")
TW and I had been friends for 35 or so years, and that ended a couple years ago. I got a text from a mutual friend a couple days ago that he has an aggressive form of cancer and isn’t expected to live past a few months. … --- ## [Discourse malfunction {and how to look up your Discourse Theme}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-malfunction-and-how-to-look-up-your-discourse-theme/963765)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-malfunction-and-how-to-look-up-your-discourse-theme/963765 "2022-05-01T18:43:05Z")
As you post a reply, you’ll find that the “minimize the composer panel” function is on the fritz. Instead of minimizing, it now always just deletes, instead. Can discourse be contacted about this to rectify this? --- ## [Courses Where “Beginning Level” Is Too Hard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courses-where-beginning-level-is-too-hard/963762)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courses-where-beginning-level-is-too-hard/963762 "2022-05-01T17:44:07Z")
There’s a funny comedy routine, I think it’s by Josh Sneed, where he talks about why he hates the Insanity workout. He talks about how the first step, designed to see how many exercises you can do, is impossibly difficu… --- ## [Big Slushie. Do they really vary that much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-slushie-do-they-really-vary-that-much/963739)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-slushie-do-they-really-vary-that-much/963739 "2022-05-01T16:57:32Z")
This article says they vary a lot. I say a Slushie is a Slushie, if it is not carbonated. Or no vodka is added. --- ## [Assessing music in light of performer's visual appeal/image](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assessing-music-in-light-of-performers-visual-appeal-image/963001)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assessing-music-in-light-of-performers-visual-appeal-image/963001 "2022-05-01T16:42:51Z")
Is there any way to discuss the extent to which music appeals to someone solely based on the sounds of the music itself - such as if you heard a song on the radio w/o even knowing the name of the artist - as opposed to t… --- ## [Searchable SDMB archive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searchable-sdmb-archive/963760)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searchable-sdmb-archive/963760 "2022-05-01T16:30:09Z")
How do you search the SDMB archives? Someone did it for me once when I was looking for a 20yrold thread but of course I didn’t ask how? The most tecent info i can find by dearching here is 15+ years old and doesn’t provi… --- ## [747 Pilot Kelsey (74 Gear on YouTube) challenges flat-earthers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/747-pilot-kelsey-74-gear-on-youtube-challenges-flat-earthers/963554)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/747-pilot-kelsey-74-gear-on-youtube-challenges-flat-earthers/963554 "2022-05-01T13:24:39Z")
YouTuber and 747 pilot Kelsey (74 Gear) posted a video a year ago outlining a method by which Flat-Earthers could prove their theory: charter a flight from South America to Australia. Airliners have terrain detection sys… --- ## [Deutsch Bank and Trump whistleblower found dead {2022-04-27}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deutsch-bank-and-trump-whistleblower-found-dead-2022-04-27/963580)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deutsch-bank-and-trump-whistleblower-found-dead-2022-04-27/963580 "2022-05-01T11:10:20Z")
I have no idea if this has been posted somewhere already, nor even any idea what existing thread it would best fit in. So, new Breaking News thread here: Looks like the same story at CBSNEWS here, ad-blocked: It s… --- ## [Why did Britain merge Ireland into the United Kingdom in 1801?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-britain-merge-ireland-into-the-united-kingdom-in-1801/963723)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2022, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-britain-merge-ireland-into-the-united-kingdom-in-1801/963723 "2022-05-01T09:03:52Z")
I know that there was a separate Irish Parliament up to 1801, but subject to the British Parliament’s laws. Than in 1800 the British Parliament abolished the Irish Parliament and merged Ireland into the United Kingdom o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1122) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1124)