# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/241 "2022-11-08T23:17:58Z")
Eh, I’d take any amount that was in play. I’m pretty level-headed and wouldn’t blow it all, and would give away a _lot_ of the money to organizations I support. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/242 "2022-11-08T23:25:42Z")
I’d take it and then play anonymous fairy godmother to a lot of deserving people and organizations. Now that would be fun. Unfortunately, my state requires that the winners be identified and I hate that thought. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/243 "2022-11-08T23:44:13Z")
I would spend time actively searching for folks who suffered a significant financial hardship. These stories are on the news all the time - the stolen wheelchair-accessible van, the devastating house fire, the elderly victim of some scam. It would be tons of fun to anonymously replace that van, house, or nest egg. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/244 "2022-11-10T01:00:46Z")
The splitting lottery question was hard for me. Although I am a realist and don’t expect to win the lottery I would still never tell anyone I’m going to give them half. Last week we were talking to friends who were renovating their kitchen and I said I would pay for the island they wanted if I won. And I would do that and more. But I’m not telling anyone I’m giving them half even in jest. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/245 "2022-11-10T01:54:15Z")
The # sign and what it means, really depends on context for me. I’m a vocal musician, so I usually think of it as being the “sharp” symbol, at least when I see it on a written page. But it could also be a number sign or a hashtag. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/246 "2022-11-10T02:14:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Although I am a realist and don’t expect to win the lottery I would still never tell anyone I’m going to give them half. Ditto. I honestly can’t imagine saying that to someone. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/247 "2022-11-10T02:23:21Z")
One of my Powerball picks won $7 (three numbers, but not the power ball). That’s a win, right? ---
**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:** [November 10, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/248 "2022-11-10T03:21:39Z")
Presumably, since at least 3 people claimed to have won, and only one person won the jackpot. (And I suspect the jackpot winner isn’t posting on this board; though who knows?) But, @WildaBeast, I can’t vote in your # poll because I recognize at least pound, number, and hash for that sign and might use any of them depending on context. And, to back up a bit: I presume @Mean_Mr.Mustard is talking only about humans taking their last breath, and answered accordingly. If cats are included, my number goes up significantly. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/249 "2022-11-10T04:31:47Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > But, @WildaBeast, I can’t vote in your # poll because I recognize at least pound, number, and hash for that sign and might use any of them depending on context. Choose the one you use most frequently, then. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/250 "2022-11-10T10:21:36Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And, to back up a bit: I presume @Mean_Mr.Mustard is talking only about humans taking their last breath, and answered accordingly. If cats are included, my number goes up significantly. Yes, only humans. Regarding potential lottery jackpot winnings, I have been known to announce that, if I win the Big One, I’m buying lunch for the folks I work with. Hot-N-Readys on me! And if I’m the only winner, I’ll throw in breadsticks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/251 "2022-11-10T10:30:13Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > But, @WildaBeast, I can’t vote in your # poll because I recognize at least pound, number, and hash for that sign and might use any of them depending on context. I gotcha covered now. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/252 "2022-11-10T12:14:53Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And, to back up a bit: I presume @Mean_Mr.Mustard is talking only about humans taking their last breath, and answered accordingly. If cats are included, my number goes up significantly. Oh. That’s true for me, too. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/253 "2022-11-10T13:45:08Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Choose the one you use most frequently, then. I don’t think I use any of them frequently; it’s mostly a matter of recognizing what’s meant when somebody else uses them. And I think on that pound and hash are about tied. – I did vote in @Gyrate’s. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/254 "2022-11-10T14:22:02Z")
Four dollars, baby! I’m off to buy some apples! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/255 "2022-11-10T15:19:57Z")
My kids were allowed a phone at 13, but only if they had the grades, attitude, and ability to put it down. They also have to turn them in at 8:00 pm and have monitoring software installed. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/256 "2022-11-10T15:22:48Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > My kids were allowed a phone at 13, but only if they had the grades, attitude, and ability to put it down. They also have to turn them in at 8:00 pm You should put those restrictions on me. I’m 40 and _still_ turn in my phone to someone else when I realize it’s keeping me awake. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/257 "2022-11-12T03:50:05Z")
I was wondering how people answered the veteran question. What’s your definition of a combat veteran? ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2022, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/258 "2022-11-12T10:46:58Z")
Regarding the closest I’ve come to dying, I was blue at birth (not breathing). I picked Other, but maybe it’s considered a Health Problem? Regarding the potential delivery of an item in a snowstorm, I had to wait three days for my birthday gift, which was supposedly guaranteed to be delivered for my birthday, because the state declared an emergency. At some point, I expect companies to make smart decisions, because the potential backlash will be too much. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/259 "2022-11-12T12:12:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > What’s your definition of a combat veteran? My brother was in the army, spending time jumping out of planes in Germany and Turkey. There was no war, but even training was dangerous, people died. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2022, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/260 "2022-11-12T15:56:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > What’s your definition of a combat veteran? Someone who was in the military and who was in a position involving getting shot at (and/or having enemy combatants actively trying to kill them by other means.) The position might, but doesn’t need to, involve shooting back – a medic in a war zone qualifies, for instance; as would people driving supplies into war zones if there’s a significant risk of their taking fire. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=14)