# 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:** 227
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4524 "2023-05-31T13:31:54Z")
Missing from the drinking poll is the option for getting melancholy, quiet, introspective, full of self pity, and depressed. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4525 "2023-05-31T13:32:59Z")
I was once with a guy who had offered to be the designated driver. I assumed it meant he wouldn’t be drinking. But he ended up drinking as many beers as anyone else. Turns out, what he meant was, he would drive us, but drive drunk. “I have a lot of practice driving drunk,” in his words, and - he did indeed drive quite safely, drunk. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4526 "2023-05-31T14:04:08Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I drink occasionally; but I’ve only been drunk a couple of times in my life, by accident. I didn’t myself notice an emotional affect, though people with me might have; but I had trouble standing up and walking, and found that unpleasant. So I decided not to do it again. > > The amount I do occasionally drink – one or two drinks, usually – relaxes me a bit, and might make me a bit more cheerful and/or gregarious if I’m feeling that way already; but it’s also likely to make me sleepy, especially if I’m already tired. This is pretty close to my response. There have been times when I’ve had several drinks over the course of an evening, but very rarely have I crossed the line into being solidly drunk, partly because, given what alcohol does to/for me, I don’t see the point. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4527 "2023-05-31T14:15:56Z")
You meant most populous cities I assume? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4528 "2023-05-31T14:20:20Z")
I’m assuming it’s a typo and you really meant “Mesa, AZ.” The whole “Over” or “Under” rated thing is throwing me. Bakersfield, CA is the Armpit of Creation and everybody knows it. So is it over or under rated? ---
**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:** [May 31, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4529 "2023-05-31T14:36:15Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m assuming it’s a typo and you really meant “Mesa, AZ.” Yeah, Mesa. I just caught that. > [@DCnDC](#): > > You meant most populous cities I assume? Man, I have to stop polling when I’m in a rush. (thanks, mod, for fixing this) mmm ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4530 "2023-05-31T14:44:31Z")
“Overrated” was easier than “underrated.” I put DC in the latter because I think people tend to forget it’s an actual city where real people live. Also I think people forget there’s actually a nice part of Baltimore, it’s not all “The Wire.” ---
**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 31, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4531 "2023-05-31T15:29:57Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m a sleepy drunk, and antisocial. I just want to sit in a corner by myself and go to sleep. I don’t drink much at parties, and it’s not because I’m worried about losing control or driving home, it’s because it’s a great way to ruin the party for me. I am also a sleepy drunk. When I was traveling and hosting events, I would very carefully nurse that one beer and often not finish it. ---
**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 31, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4532 "2023-05-31T15:31:15Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Turns out, what he meant was, he would drive us, but drive drunk. “I have a lot of practice driving drunk,” in his words, and - he did indeed drive quite safely, drunk. Apparently you got where you were going without hitting anybody. But I doubt that any of the rest of you were in any condition to judge whether he was driving “safely.” I think you were just lucky. – I haven’t been in any of those cities in, probably, over 40 years, and therefore have no opinion. I don’t know if I’d have an opinion if I were familiar with them – under or overrated for what? Safety? Restaurants? Arts? Walkability? Public transportation? Ease of getting around in a car? Affordable housing? Ritzy housing? Shopping for routine items? Shopping for non-routine items? Diversity of population? Friendliness of population? Air and/or water quality? – I could go on. ---
**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 31, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4533 "2023-05-31T15:46:20Z")
I considered only cities I’ve actually visited and know a bit; this means that although I suspect Austin and Tampa may be overrated, I don’t actually know. I was shocked to see Albuquerque on the list - have we grown that much? Is this metropolitan area and not just city limits? I’m stunned! But, like some other cities on the list (I’m looking at you, Oakland), I’ve never thought my hometown was rated highly to begin with, so it can’t really be OVERrated. But Las Vegas? Stinks of cigarette smoke everywhere you go, it’s loud, and you never see the sun. As for Colorado Springs, it’s in a beautiful setting, but the Focus on the Family folks have poisoned the place in the past few decades. I have seen the Milky Way in all its glory. Even though I apparently live in one of the most populous cities in the US, until fairly recently you could see a night sky with very little light pollution at my inlaws’ house about 30 miles north. Nowadays, since Santa Fe and Albuquerque have sprawled so much, it’s less impressive, but it’s still worth setting up the telescope. And there are still wide swathes of unpopulated areas within easy driving distance here. Which, of course, is one reason I don’t think the place is overrated. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4534 "2023-05-31T15:46:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > As we settled in, I ordered a double scotch on the rocks. The bartender gave me a weird look and told me he couldn’t serve me, I was designated driver. I pointed out that we wouldn’t be leaving for 3-4 hours, so a drink now was ok. He still refused. That was my last time being “official” designated driver. Probably too many liars or also, ‘free drink’ meant a soda, not pricier booze. When I was in Iceland the BAC limit was 0.01% instead of the 0.10% as in most of the US at the time and both the base security and Icelandic Police were serious about it. When drinking in a group we had a ‘duty-sober’ long before ‘designated driver’ was common in the US. I answered Secret in the poll because I rarely drink more than enough to get a mild buzz in social situations. The last time I got drunk at home was last year when we put one of our hounds down. I literally fell out of bed that night and debated a while whether I wanted to go through the effort of climbing back in or just spend the rest of the night on the floor. It being August in Arizona, lack of a blanket was not an issue. I wasn’t sure how to answer the job-length poll. Two jobs were 11+ years each and the naval enlistment six. The remaining ones were no more than two. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4535 "2023-05-31T15:57:07Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > also, ‘free drink’ meant a soda, not pricier booze. Yeah, I would always assume “free drinks for the designated driver” meant soft drinks, both because the designated driver is assumed to be abstaining from alcohol for the night and because that’s what they can afford to give away for free. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4536 "2023-05-31T16:10:40Z")
I have no earthly idea of how, say, Fresno or El Paso are “rated,” or by whom. Since I’ve been to most of the cities on the list, I chose “overrated” for the places I enjoyed less than I thought I would, and “underrated” for the places I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Some of my picks are based on a single night’s stay, so you can take them with a grain of salt. I’m generally a mellow, chill drunk. “Happy” doesn’t really describe it, because I’m not always; more like whatever emotions I am feeling tend to get smoothed out. So “something else” it is. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Yeah, I would always assume “free drinks for the designated driver” meant soft drinks, both because the designated driver is assumed to be abstaining from alcohol for the night and because that’s what they can afford to give away for free. Agreed. Thinking they’re going to pour you free scotch because you’re the DD is… missing the point. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4537 "2023-05-31T16:15:02Z")
Liquor makes me happy, more outgoing, and affectionate. I love it so much I try to avoid drinking too much. Maybe three times a year, and rarely more than two drinks. ---
**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:** [May 31, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4538 "2023-05-31T16:22:59Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Yeah, I would always assume “free drinks for the designated driver” meant soft drinks, I should have been more clear. I wasn’t trying to scam for a free drink\*, I totally was expecting to pay. The bar’s policy was that the designated driver could have free “soft drinks” but would not be served alcohol. \*That’s not to say I would never try to scam for a free drink! This past weekend my gf ran with Kizzy in a pets&pints 5k race sponsored by a local dog friendly brewery. All runners got their first pint free. I waited for her at the brewery. I asked the brew-master if support crew got their first drink free and he poured me one, laughing at the concept. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4539 "2023-05-31T17:55:21Z")
> I was around when the song was released but it doesn’t evoke any nostalgia for me That’s what I voted for, but I honestly couldn’t tell from the link _when_ the song was released, so I have no idea if I was around then. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4540 "2023-05-31T17:56:38Z")
The post identifies the year as 1959. It very much sounds to me like a product of the 1950’s even without knowing the year it was released. ---
**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 31, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4541 "2023-05-31T18:18:40Z")
I didn’t think I remembered it until I tried the link; but yes I definitely do remember that, though I don’t think that I ever knew Sleepwalk is its name. I turned 8 in 1959; I must have heard it playing on the radio, but doubt I was paying it any particular attention at the time. Weird to realize how familiar it sounded. So I suppose that must be choice #1 – though I don’t know that I was “listening” to it exactly, maybe more like hearing it in the background. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4542 "2023-05-31T18:25:55Z")
I’ve always loved that song, but it’s from before my time, so it can’t really qualify as “nostalgic.” But definitely cool! ---
**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 31, 2023, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4543 "2023-05-31T18:48:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bakersfield, CA is the Armpit of Creation and everybody knows it. So is it over or under rated? The way I interpreted the question was thus: I have a low opinion of Bakersfield, but everyone else seems to have a low opinion of Bakersfield as well. Therefore, Bakersfield is properly rated; it is neither overrated nor underrated. > [@DCnDC](#): > > “Overrated” was easier than “underrated.” I actually found “underrated” easier because of basically the thing you said about Baltimore. Everyone who’s never been there thinks Baltimore, and Oakland are just crime ridden hellholes, but there are actually nice parts of those cities, so it was easy to pick those as underrated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=226) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=228)