# 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:** 213
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4242 "2023-05-19T19:04:29Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > My vision actually _improved_ while I was in law school, despite long hours, tiny print and frequent eyestrain. My eye doctor said she’d never heard of that happening [My vision improved after losing 55 pounds 9 years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-vision-got-better/687293) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4243 "2023-05-19T19:33:14Z")
I’ve crossed the tarmac a couple of times for turboprops. Also I’ve been in private jets, which do indeed have fewer than 100 seats. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4244 "2023-05-19T19:34:42Z")
I got my first glasses at age seven, after my third-grade told my mom I was doing better in class “once I moved her up so she could see the board.” Before that, I’d always had the reputation in my family of being kind of spacy and not paying attention to my surroundings. In fact, I was just really nearsighted! My eyesight got worse every year, so I had to get new glasses regularly. I remember getting progressive lenses because I was doing step aerobics at the time, and it was really hard to retrain myself to not glance down through my glasses. I’ve done fine with them ever since. My uncorrected vision is very bad; I used to be able to see clearly only about 18 inches away, and since my near vision started to deteriorate, it’s now a range of about 4 inches from 8 - 12 inches away. My dental hygiene routine is very complex. I use an electric toothbrush with a non-foaming gel my hygienist recommended, then use waxed floss, then a Water-Pik, then brush again with a fluoride treatment. It’s a lot, but I have terrible teeth and they haven’t gotten any worse since I started it. My teeth always feel like they’ve just been cleaned. I remember the days before jetways, when all planes were boarded from staircases on the tarmac. The two times I’ve been on a flight that used them in modern times, it was because there was a problem with the jetway. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4245 "2023-05-19T20:17:50Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I also have “boarded a commercial flight by walking across the apron and climbing a set of stairs or ramp up to the plane” but have no idea what kind of plane it was, or more likely what kind of planes they were; I first started flying in the 1960’s or early 70’s and that was pretty much standard, IIRC, at smaller airports at the time. Well, “regional jet” didn’t really exist as a class of airplane until the 1990s, so you really just need to remember if it had propellers or not. At a smaller airport in that era, if it was a jet it most likely would have been a DC-9, 727, or 737. Fun fact: One of the reasons the DC-9 and 727 had tail mounted engines was so the landing gear could be shorter, to make the plane easier to service at small airports that might not have jet bridges, baggage belts, and such. Anyway, I’ve boarded 737s and A320s via stairs at Kona, Hawaii; Havana, Cuba; Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Santorini, Greece. Turboprops at Sacramento and San Francisco, and regional jets at more places than I can remember. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4246 "2023-05-19T20:40:45Z")
I remember from Ken Burns’s recent excellent documentary on Ernest Hemingway, that very late in his life, clearly mentally ill, the author had to be restrained from walking into a spinning propeller when he was crossing an airport tarmac on foot. Very sad. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4247 "2023-05-19T20:47:31Z")
Re: pets. I’ve had three dogs over the years, four cats (including my two current house-panthers), plus a hamster and a pair of gerbils, which were technically the “property” of my wife’s class – she taught elementary school, and she brought them home over the weekends, and when school was out. I also had a school of Sea-Monkeys for a few months – a gag gift, given to me by my secretary at my first job. When I was younger, I really wanted a pet ferret, but never got one. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4248 "2023-05-19T20:51:18Z")
Huh, no guinea pigs. I’ve boarded a lot of planes via staircases. I’m not exactly certain which were which, but we boarded by walking outdoors for an international flight in Iceland, and I’m guessing that was a large jet. (It was very windy and i was worried I’d lose my documents.) I also used to fly the eastern air shuttle into Newark back when it was all rolling staircases. I voted all the options. That’s probably true. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4249 "2023-05-19T20:57:20Z")
I use fuzzy plastic toothpicks > **[Sunstar Advanced Gum Soft Picks, 60CT](https://www.cvs.com/shop/sunstar-advanced-gum-soft-picks-60ct-prodid-1090033?skuId=614453)** > > \ \Longer handle\ \Whole mouth access\ \On-the-go case\ \ \Recommended by dental professionals\ \ \Soft, flexible bristles slide between teeth to help remove food and plaque\ \Curved design easily... I’m not sure if that counted as toothpicks or pick flossers. I also use a manual toothbrush. Numerous dentists have praised my brushing, so I’ve never felt the need to change it. As for the picks, numerous dentists have told me i need to floss better. These picks seem to do the job, and my current dentist is excited I’ve found something that works. My teeth are close enough together that it’s very hard to force string floss in there, and sometimes bits of it get cut off and get stuck between my teeth. So hard that i once had a hygienist give up and ask me to do it. I just glowered and told her that’s why i don’t floss regularly. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4250 "2023-05-19T20:58:38Z")
I floss once a week at a minimum, and always if I eat something that leaves lots of stuff caught in my teeth (especially corn on the cob). Every year my dentist tells me to floss more… and then compliments me on my excellent teeth. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4251 "2023-05-19T21:07:08Z")
Well, I was always told flossing was more for your gums than your teeth, so that makes sense. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4252 "2023-05-19T22:42:11Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Well, “regional jet” didn’t really exist as a class of airplane until the 1990s, so you really just need to remember if it had propellers or not. But I don’t. “Airplane” is pretty much one thing in my head. I’d probably notice one of the ancient ones with double wings, and I’d notice one so small that it only held half a dozen passengers, and I notice the difference between helicopters and airplanes. But that’s about it. – that is, when I was looking at the plane on the way out to it, if you’d asked me if it had propellers I’d have been able to answer. But it’s not something I’d particularly remember. – what happened to horses on the pet poll? I badly wanted one, and for a little while sort-of had one, though she was really the neighbors’. ETA: I have a congenitally-missing tooth on one side of my mouth, which has resulted in just enough space between the existing teeth (which over the years have slid around to mostly fill up the gap) so that things get stuck in my teeth all. the. time. I floss almost every time I eat something. (Yes, a cosmetic dentist could have lots of expensive fun fixing that. I don’ wanna, even if I could afford it. As long as I do get the bits of food out it’s not doing any harm.) ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2023, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4253 "2023-05-19T23:23:32Z")
Mom worked for AA starting when I was in kindergarten and we flew a lot when I wa a kid. I’m pretty sure jet bridges were uncommon in those days. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4254 "2023-05-19T23:38:38Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > ETA: I have a congenitally-missing tooth on one side of my mouth, which has resulted in just enough space between the existing teeth (which over the years have slid around to mostly fill up the gap) so that things get stuck in my teeth all. the. time. I floss almost every time I eat something. I cracked a piece off the edge of one tooth, and had that problem until i got it repaired. Just in that one gap, but it drove me nuts. The rest of my teeth remain too close to floss without a great deal of work, and pain both to the finger the floss is wrapped around and also the gum, when the floss finally snaps down. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4255 "2023-05-20T00:56:13Z")
Aside from the usual cats and dogs (currently 2 of each) I’ve also had pet ducks, lambs, goats, ferrets, and hermit crabs. Not all at the same time, because that would be weird. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2023, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4256 "2023-05-20T01:07:25Z")
Electric tootbrush, water pik and dental floss here. I have three crowns and an implant and my love of popcorn requires that I use all tools available. A water pik is not a substitute for either the toothbrush or the floss, but does a wonderful job of flushing tiny stuff out of the gums. Planes. I remember boarding from the tarmac at Las Vegas in 1980, because I had a huge chocolate bar that I had won and it was beginning to melt in the heat. But I’ve also boarded from the tarmac at a lot of airports, sometimes due to small planes, sometimes due to jetway misbehavior. At Schiphol, this is frequent for regional jets. Dog, cats, gerbil, and I’ve always wanted miniature goats. They are lovely creatures. But can’t have one in an apartment. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4257 "2023-05-20T03:19:23Z")
Re: the poll keeping the step-child too or not, if you didn’t watch the show but are curious what **the character** decided it took Deacon on _Nashville_ some soul searching, but ultimately he got custody of both girls, with the at first reluctant blessing of the younger girl’s imprisoned father ---
**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:** [May 20, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4258 "2023-05-20T03:32:25Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > A water pik is not a substitute for either the toothbrush or the floss, I used one instead of floss for a while. It didn’t with as well as the GUM picks, but my dentist said it was doing a decent job. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4259 "2023-05-20T03:40:17Z")
We had a very similar pet poll a few weeks ago. I’ve had cats (don’t really like them), and parrots (interesting and fun), but rats are my pet of choice. I love them and have had 19 so far. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2023, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4260 "2023-05-20T04:07:23Z")
Not only do I keep both children, I do my _damndest_ to be sure the one who isn’t my biological daughter knows I love her as completely as I do her sister. I’d also want to be sure we had some legal protections to be sure no one from the incarcerated parent’s side would try to take her away. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2023, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4261 "2023-05-20T04:29:16Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > Mom worked for AA starting when I was in kindergarten It took me a second to realize that wasn’t Alcoholics Anonymous. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=212) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=214)