# Another "how could anyone not know that?" thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 8, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056 "2003-11-08T07:38:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/1 "2003-11-08T07:38:09Z")
I don’t think we’ve had one of these for a while. Everyone join in. I was talking to a friend at work the other day and somehow the state of Utah got mentioned in the conversation. My friend soon revealed that he had no idea that there was any connection between Mormons and Utah. In fact, he finally asked, “So what are you saying? Are there a lot of Mormons living in Utah or something?” Granted, I just learned this week that Del Shannon the singer isn’t the same person as Dell Shannon the mystery writer, but still… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/2 "2003-11-08T07:56:04Z")
A friend of mine, when she moved to San Antonion TX from Fairbanks AK , had trouble at the DMV when she went to change her license. Seems the clerk thought Alaska was a foreign country, and wanted her to fill out all sorts of forms, take the written _and_driving tests, and so on. My friend had to go over her head to the supervisor to make her realize Alaska is a US state. ---
**Author:** ![psychomonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dec6dc/32.png) [@psychomonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychomonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/3 "2003-11-08T08:28:55Z")
In the same vein as Baker’s and slightly scarier considering this is in a college class. And Sea of Cecilites will find this especially humorous. I was sitting in class and a girl mentioned wanting to do a foreign exchange to Hawaii. I didnt even bother explaining to her that it doesnt work that way. That in order for the university to sponsor you it has to be truly foreign. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/4 "2003-11-08T08:29:36Z")
I worked with a woman that asked me to solve an argument between she and her husband. They were arguing about the whereabouts of the US Capitol. Her husband said Washington state; she said Maryland. I explained that technically, Washington D.C. wasn’t in any state, but that her answer was closer to correct than his. She exclaimed, “I KNEW IT!” Then looked at me, puzzled. “So what’s in Washington State? Parliament?” (This was just before the last election.) When I told someone else the story a few days later, he said, "Did you tell her, ‘Yeah, next year we’re electing our king!’ ". ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/5 "2003-11-08T10:45:29Z")
One of my classmates abroad here is from California. I was explaining to other classmates that where I’m from is north of California as CA, NY and TX are the only states most people really know. She didn’t know I was talking about Oregon. There are THREE STATES on the whole west coast! ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/6 "2003-11-08T12:05:28Z")
Last week I recieved a call from a candidate for county council, he was appointed to the position about a year ago (the incumbent died) and was running for office for the first time. I informed him that my phone number was on the “do not call list” and that he shouldn’t have called me. He apoligized profusely then hung up. He failed my test, folks running for public office are excempt from the rules of the do not call law and I felt he should have known that. He won the election anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/7 "2003-11-08T15:17:22Z")
> [@](#): > > I informed him that my phone number was on the “do not call list” and that he shouldn’t have called me. He apoligized profusely then hung up. He failed my test, folks running for public office are excempt from the rules of the do not call law and I felt he should have known that. So you’re suggesting that someone who wants people to vote for him should, upon being told that a voter whom he called doesn’t want to be called, should argue with the voter? Do you think most voters would be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate who argues with them about his right to call them? ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/8 "2003-11-08T15:31:57Z")
racer72 You did kinda give him a no-win scenario. Even if he knew, he’d be wise to let another person (you) prevail in such an argument. ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/9 "2003-11-08T17:05:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by psychomonkey \* > \*\*I was sitting in class and a girl mentioned wanting to do a foreign exchange to Hawaii. I didnt even bother explaining to her that it doesnt work that way. That in order for the university to sponsor you it has to be truly foreign. \*\* Can I assume by your spelling that you are Canadian? I’m pretty sure that Canadian college students can “study abroad” in the U.S. and vice-versa, although you shouldn’t quote me on that. I don’t fault them for it, but I love any one of these questions from Japanese people: Do you have 7-11 in America? Do you have McDonald’s in America? Is your penis as big as all get out? Actually, that last one was a joke. They can usually tell when they see it, no need to ask. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/10 "2003-11-08T17:19:50Z")
A _Jeopardy_ final question a few weeks back was something like “Musical instruments hanging from the ceiling of a building in Iowa”. I can forgive the contestants not knowing what musical instruments they are, but one did know the instrument and still got it wrong. How can he not know: How many trombones? ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/11 "2003-11-08T17:50:22Z")
What the hell does that mean? ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/12 "2003-11-08T23:25:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Little Nemo \* > \*\*Granted, I just learned this week that Del Shannon the singer isn’t the same person as Dell Shannon the mystery writer, but still… \*\* Haha. Someday you should ask **lno** about [Jerry Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=62082). ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/13 "2003-11-09T00:35:08Z")
**rjk** I read that about five times, and it still makes no sense to me whatsoever. Am I being wooshed? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/14 "2003-11-09T01:02:15Z")
Seventy-Six, of course. Exactly the number I’d expect. Assuming I had known that there were trombones hanging from a ceiling in Iowa. (Which I didn’t.) ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/15 "2003-11-09T01:21:08Z")
Question from one of my homeroom students signing up for classes: Mrs. Zoe, if I take swimming class, will I have to get in the water? ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/16 "2003-11-09T01:22:18Z")
I didn’t know about the hanging instruments either, and don’t remember exactly where they are, but the contestant who did guess they were trombones thought there were _ninety_-six. That’s what got me. Thanks, **amarinth**. ---
**Author:** ![Blueapple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Blueapple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blueapple)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/17 "2003-11-09T04:06:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racer72 \* > \*\*Last week I recieved a call from a candidate for county council, he was appointed to the position about a year ago (the incumbent died) and was running for office for the first time. I informed him that my phone number was on the “do not call list” and that he shouldn’t have called me. He apoligized profusely then hung up. He failed my test, folks running for public office are excempt from the rules of the do not call law and I felt he should have known that. He won the election anyway. \*\* > [@](#): > > **Q: If I register my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, will it stop all telemarketing calls?** > > A: No. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Because of limitations in the jurisdiction of the FTC and FCC, calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls. - [Cite](https://www.donotcall.gov/FAQ/FAQConsumersNew.aspx#Exceptions) Emphesize mine. ---
**Author:** ![PRNYouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PRNYouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PRNYouth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/18 "2003-11-09T06:54:34Z")
**Blueapple** , what was the point in posting that? **Racer72** specifically mentioned that s/he KNEW that politcal organizations are exempt from the do-not-call list. His/her point was that the CANDIDATE appeared not to know, and therefore Racer72 would not vote for that candidate. See? ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/19 "2003-11-09T14:52:44Z")
At my former job, there was a woman from the southside of Chicago, who, after visiting a relative who had recently moved to the northside, expresssed astonishment that the same lake was at the beaches on both sides of town. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056/20 "2003-11-09T14:57:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kyomara \* > **Can I assume by your spelling that you are Canadian?** What was Canadian about psychomonkey’s spelling? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-how-could-anyone-not-know-that-thread/212056.md?page=2)