# Cannot distinguish reply to previous post vs reply to original post

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-distinguish-reply-to-previous-post-vs-reply-to-original-post/941439>\
**Category:** Site Feedback\
**Created:** [May 5, 2021, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-distinguish-reply-to-previous-post-vs-reply-to-original-post/941439 "2021-05-05T14:32:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 38

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**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-distinguish-reply-to-previous-post-vs-reply-to-original-post/941439/38 "2021-05-09T17:57:38Z")

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Sorry for double post, but I just came across this example in the wild

> [@Refilling hand disinfectant from one bottle to another - OK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refilling-hand-disinfectant-from-one-bottle-to-another-ok/941697/8):
>
> I certainly hope so. I have a bunch of pump disinfectant bottles scattered throughout the shop in strategic locations. When they get low, I refill them from big bottles that I buy, much cheaper than replacing the pump dispenser. I can’t think of any reason why this would have a negative effect.

Is the comment “I hope so” referring to the post above, where the poster says they would have worded a comment more clearly if they realized it could have been misinterpreted, and then moving on to a related topic? Or is “I hope so” in reference to the OP asking if sanitizer can be refilled from a larger bottle?

I’m guessing the latter, but why do I have to guess, when the solution (the reply indicator) is an easy way to be clear?

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