# Bad, bad, bad compendium of weird things I thought **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 16, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188 "2022-03-16T16:00:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/1 "2022-03-16T16:00:18Z")
1. That stuff called ‘tiger balm’ is it really of any use? Or how about ’ Blue Star ointment’? 2. I do not like fake vanilla icecream. Why even bother? 3.Theres a commercial about a stool softener where a cute little Diddy is sung about poo-ing a pineapple or two. Ending in "a poo should be easy to do"🎵🎶🎵🎶. Kinda grosses me out. I caught myself humming the tune yesterday. I’ll never buy that brand, If I could remember what brand it was. 1. Why are there so many brands of OTC pain meds? 2. Is there cat-crack in those store bought cat treats? You know the ones. 3. Why do dogs watch TV? They even have a dog channel. My dogs never look at that when I’ve stopped on that channel to see what it was. 4. Does Hamburger helper really help? 5. When did men and women quit wearing hats all the time? And, further… Why did men remove their hats when going indoors, and woman didn’t? 6. Essential oils have been around for years why are they so popular again? 7. Why can’t I have a red refrigerator? They are so cute. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/2 "2022-03-16T16:49:19Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I do not like fake vanilla icecream. Why even bother? Definitely. Vanilla is my favorite flavor of ice cream, but vanilla means real, sticky, vanilla bean. > **Summary** > > We were in a Moroccan restaurant in St Martin once, dining under the stars. A local dude who looked Rastafarian approached my gf and whispered something to her. She told me she’d be right back. She walked off with the guy, who surreptitiously took something from his pocket. My gf looked at it, stuck it in her purse, then handed him some cash. > > I was surprised. I’m the stoner in the family. Then I found out he sold her some amazingly nice vanilla beans. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/3 "2022-03-16T17:39:48Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Why do dogs watch TV? Piper Dog watches tv if there’s a dog on it barking. Once the barking stops and the dog moves off-screen, he loses interest. ---
**Author:** ![Quondam\_Mechanic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quondam_mechanic/32/3404_2.png) [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/4 "2022-03-16T21:39:52Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > 1. That stuff called ‘tiger balm’ is it really of any use? Or how about ’ Blue Star ointment’? No idea about Blue Star, but Tiger Balm is an OK menthol ointment for muscle aches that makes you imagine you’re doing something more than rubbing the ache when you put it on. Since it’s popular in Hong Kong, where every traditional Chinese soothing balm is undoubtedly easily available, I figure it’s probably no worse than any other such thing. Plus, I like the smell (in small doses.) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/5 "2022-03-17T01:56:15Z")
Thank you. I like the little containers it’s in. I may have to buy some. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/6 "2022-03-17T04:44:33Z")
I bought a red refrigerator for Mr VOW to,use at work. It was adorable, you’d call it apartment size or dorm size. It was a two-door, a little bitty freezer on top, and the little refrigerator on the bottom. And it was red. So precious! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/7 "2022-03-17T04:48:49Z")
That would not be large enough.Yet I want one, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/8 "2022-03-17T05:00:20Z")
I saw a red washer and dryer set once. I want that SO BAD! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/9 "2022-03-17T05:05:45Z")
I have a red washer dryer set. I adore them. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/10 "2022-03-17T05:11:22Z")
I think blue star /blue emu is the same thing as tiger balm but they use eucalyptus based menthol as the muscle relaxer … and it does work for about 4 hours or so ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/11 "2022-03-17T05:12:56Z")
we have one of those my aunt has one in her room top keeps her soda she wants to hide in it … they go out pretty fast tho… but for 30 bucks what do ya expect? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/12 "2022-03-17T14:46:56Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Does Hamburger helper really help? If you don’t have a lot of time or inspiration to make dinner from scratch, but you DO have a pound of hamburger and a box of HH, sure. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > When did men and women quit wearing hats all the time? And, further… Why did men remove their hats when going indoors, and woman didn’t? For men at least for the first part, I’ve heard President Kennedy didn’t like wearing hats, and the male populace followed suit. But, I’ve also heard that story is apocryphal. For the second part, ??? > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Why can’t I have a red refrigerator? [What’s stoppin’ ya?](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Galanz-10-0-cu-ft-Retro-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-with-Dual-Door-True-Freezer-Frost-Free-in-Red-GLR10TRDEFR/308105337?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=Shopping-CM-F_D29A-G-D29A-029_013_REFRIG-Multi-NA-NA-PLA_LIA-2995903-WF-MajorAppl&cm_mmc=Shopping-CM-F_D29A-G-D29A-029_013_REFRIG-Multi-NA-NA-PLA_LIA-2995903-WF-MajorAppl-71700000032407472-58700003838956061-92700067952440482&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9pyov7DN9gIV5nxvBB2gWgaMEAQYASABEgIPwfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/13 "2022-03-17T14:58:22Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > When did men and women quit wearing hats all the time? I’ve read that women’s hats went out of favor due to the automobile coming on the scene. Women couldn’t wear a hat and fit in a car. (Apocryphal?) ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/14 "2022-03-17T15:10:01Z")
Does it, though? I mean, how does whatever you rub on your skin relax your muscles (other than the mechanical action of the brief “massage” mentioned above)? I always thought it was just the sensation of warmth that was working on your brain, rather than your muscles. As a young track team member, I used to load up on Atomic Balm before races. It felt hot, especially if you wrapped your leg in an ace bandage or something. I have no idea if it actually did anything else but everyone else was doing it so, why not? ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/15 "2022-03-17T17:08:12Z")
I tried a dog channel the other day. My dog didn’t care much for the screen, but jumped down from the couch and sniffed the left-side column speaker for 2 minutes, thinking there was a friend inside. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/16 "2022-03-17T18:26:40Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Why do dogs watch TV? T My uncle in Texas has two little dogs, and they growl at any animal they see on TV, but they really get rowdy if the animal they see is a dog. It’s as if the dog is outside their patio doors instead of on television. My cat liked the Discovery Channel animal shows, though. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > When did men and women quit wearing hats all the time? I read somewhere that the Kennedy era kind of ended the custom of men wearing hats. I guess women just followed suit. Can anyone attest to that? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/17 "2022-03-17T20:17:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve read that women’s hats went out of favor due to the automobile coming on the scene. Women couldn’t wear a hat and fit in a car. My mother wore hats and fit in a car all the time. And the car was usually a Beetle. ETA: And the timing doesn’t work, I don’t think. Cars became common before women’s hats disappeared; though that might have depended on where you were. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Is there cat-crack in those store bought cat treats? You know the ones. Some of them have catnip in them. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Does Hamburger helper really help? Define “help”. If you want something other than plain hamburgers but don’t want to decide on individual ingredients to add and find or buy them separately, then it helps. If you’d like straight hamburger but can’t afford it and want to stretch a smaller amount, then I suppose whether it helps depends on whether hamburger or hamburger helper is cheaper at the time when you buy them. My guess is that the helper is cheaper, but I don’t buy it, so I don’t know. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Why did men remove their hats when going indoors, and woman didn’t? The standard explanation seems to be that women’s hats were chosen as part of a particular outfit, and so needed to stay on to complement that outfit; but men’s hats were generic, and not needed for that purpose. I suspect that the actual answer is that the society wanted to have different rules for clothing worn by men than for clothing worn by women, both so as to make a point that society expected them to be treated differently and so as to make it easy to tell who was in which category at a glance; and the distinction as to when to wear a hat, as well as to who wore what types of hats, was just another example of that; and, like the other examples, nonsensical outside of that There Must Be Differences rule. But it’s also possible that given that men’s hair was worn very short and not really considered to be decoration, while women’s hair was worn longer and usually arranged in specific hairstyles in which the hair once arranged was all supposed to stay precisely in place, the idea was that taking one’s hat on and off didn’t mess up men’s hair, but doing so might well mess up women’s hair. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/18 "2022-03-17T20:28:11Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > My mother wore hats and fit in a car all the time. > > And the car was usually a Beetle. Ahhh, I looked around and what I remembered hearing turns out to be about ostrich plumes in hats. [From here:](https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/ostrich) > Ostrich plumes were particularly prized. South Africa turned to the commercial farming of ostriches for their feathers. It quickly became a profitable industry; so valuable were ostrich plumes that in the early 20th century, they ranked fourth on the list of South African exports—after gold, diamonds, and wool. By 1913, more than 1 million ostriches lived on commercial farms throughout the world. Then, overnight, the bottom dropped out of the feather market due, surprisingly, to the invention of the car. Early cars had no roof or windshield, and women passengers found their feathers stripped from hats and blown away. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/19 "2022-03-17T20:32:37Z")
Aha. My mother didn’t have plumes on her hats. Maybe a small feather or two, in the hatband; usually not that. But she was born in 1914; and was presumably not wearing a hat at the time. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188/20 "2022-03-17T20:43:38Z")
The story I heard about why women did not remove their hats indoors was that the hats were held in place with elaborate networks of pins. Putting them on and taking them off was time-consuming, and nobody wanted to do it more than once a day. Alternative theory: for a man, “hat hair” can be fixed with a couple of swipes of a comb. In the days when women wore elaborate hairstyles, she had a choice of a hat that looked good, or a hairdo that looked good, but it was difficult to have both. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-compendium-of-weird-things-i-thought/961188.md?page=2)