# 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:** 296
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5904 "2023-07-28T13:56:52Z")
Hmm, my kids are mostly self-taught, although they may also have had lessons at summer camp. At least, they both swim pretty well, and I’m struggling to remember any classes we arranged for them. (We did take them to ponds a lot when they were little, and they both loved splashing in water with supervision. They really may have just learned in their own.) ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5905 "2023-07-28T13:59:00Z")
I have never been inside the Pentagon, or particularly contemplated it from the outside. I can’t remember whether I’ve ever been near enough that I could have seen it briefly from a plane or car window. I used to have relatives in the general area, and was in the general area for several days about 40-some years ago, but I was thinking about my dying uncle and about assorted family relationships, and don’t remember what we may have driven or flown past. ETA: > [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I was literally taught to swim in the kitchen sink of my parents’ kitchen. Your parents had a bigger kitchen sink than my parents. I may well have been bathed in mine; but I can’t imagine actually swimming in it, even while too young to 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:** [July 28, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5906 "2023-07-28T15:40:07Z")
I was in the Pentagon once for a tour in 1985. Don’t remember much about it. I forget my pocket calendar just today when I went to work, as it happens! I’ve forgotten my ID card, which opens some secure doors, a few times before, and had to ask others to let me in. It’s a PITA. We haven’t had pizza delivered to our house in a lonnnnnnng time. Our favorite pizza place isn’t far away - we usually just order for takeout, or go there and eat. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5907 "2023-07-28T15:41:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Additionally we don’t really want people knowing our farm exists. We are on a private road that turns off of a back street. That’s why my wife won’t let me order pizza delivered. (Although she has no problem with Amazon coming to us almost daily). I guess she has a bias against pizza delivery drivers. (and she doesn’t mind sending me out to pick it up) ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5908 "2023-07-28T16:02:15Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > In my class both the valedictorian – a girl – and the salutatorian – a boy – had a reputation for being bright. Not being in their circles I have no idea whether either took easy classes but I doubt it. I do know that when it became time to select them, they both had all As in their senior year, so the administration started going back through their transcripts. All As in their junior, sophomore, and freshman years so back to the elementary school records it was. There it was As all the way down to the second grade where the salutatorian got a B in reading. Oof. My husband makes fun of me for how mad I still get about various academic injustices I suffered in high school. That was my whole life back then. We had the crap Valedictorian who was your typical spoiled rich stereotypical jock who got away with all kinds of shit and took easy classes, and then there was my friend who exceled at everything she touched and had research experience in chemistry for god’s sake, and went to Yale. If I were her I would have been so pissed to share a podium with that guy. He was really the worst. I was Salutatorian because of an A- in English which was my best subject but I had trauma going on at home the night before our midterm exam, and I did not do well on it. BUT that same incredibly bright young woman was unfairly awarded the AP English Award when I deserved it. She too was set to receive an A- in English, but her parents pressured the teacher into changing it to an A. I was the only student in the history of the school who received the top score on my AP exams the first year of testing, and I did so well they told me not to take AP English for year two, so I did a college course instead. And then my friend’s fucking parents bitched and moaned that I didn’t deserve the award because I didn’t take it for two years. I was so mad. The teacher straight-up told me and the rest of the class that I deserved it but the decision was over her head. Years later I touched base with my friend on Facebook and I didn’t even bring it up, but she told me how much she thought I deserved the AP English award and her parents were stupid. She had no small amount of trauma from all the pressure on her to excel at everything. Yes, I remember all of this. Vividly. LOL. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5909 "2023-07-28T16:06:03Z")
I had and have no idea who was valedictorian or salutatorian at my high school. I was asked to speak at graduation. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5910 "2023-07-28T16:12:19Z")
IIRC we had two Valedictorians and two Salutatorians and all four of us spoke at graduation. I read a poem that I wrote for the occasion. It was pretty cheesy. Oh yeah! And I subtly worked the word “emancipation” in there which pissed my Mom off so much. That alone was worth it. She had told me she wasn’t going to bother to show up, but then she did go, and then she solemnly presented me a signed book about near-death experiences, apropos of nothing. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5911 "2023-07-28T16:22:38Z")
I skipped all three of my graduations. I didn’t care, my parents didn’t care, and it just didn’t seem worth the effort. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5912 "2023-07-28T16:24:15Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Yes, I remember all of this. Vividly. LOL. Man, and I thought _I_ could hold a grudge! 🙃 Not as bad as my sister, who will _still_ bring up the 1972 Munich Olympics men’s basketball final. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I skipped all three of my graduations. I didn’t care, my parents didn’t care, and it just didn’t seem worth the effort. I went to my high school graduation, because my friends and I had plans immediately after. I didn’t go to my college graduation, first, because I finished a quarter early, and, secondly, because this was UCLA. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5913 "2023-07-28T17:37:13Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Man, and I thought _I_ could hold a grudge! I’m only like this with academics, I swear! I’m normally not very competitive. I’m glad my academic days are behind me because that shit’s exhausting. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5914 "2023-07-28T18:19:54Z")
My undergrads and colleagues were always stunned when I revealed that I was a B student. It was much more restful. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5915 "2023-07-28T19:21:29Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’m only like this with academics, I swear! I’m normally not very competitive. I’m glad my academic days are behind me because that shit’s exhausting. I mean, I meant this as a compliment! 🤣 ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5916 "2023-07-29T00:25:37Z")
As I recall, our valedictorian ended up dropping out of Community College. But I didn’t know her too well and don’t know what her story was, so I can’t judge. I’ve seen her on Facebook and she seems to be doing just fine. I was 64th in a class of 660, so I felt happy just to be in the top 10%. I was never very competitive and didn’t worry too much about grades, as long as I passed. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5917 "2023-07-29T03:15:23Z")
> [@susan](#): > > My undergrads and colleagues were always stunned when I revealed that I was a B student. It was much more restful. One of my favorite quotes from an ADHD coach is: B- work can change the world. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5918 "2023-07-29T04:15:48Z")
Ehhh, I don’t think a “grudge” is the right term (the term the other guy used to describe your fixation), I think “intense focus/concentration on a specific goal/thing” is more apropros here. You weren’t being hateful or vengeful, so it’s not a negative behavior. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5919 "2023-07-29T04:24:51Z")
I’m going to assume that pig Latin and ubby dubby speak don’t really count as other constructed languages, but if they do, I can go back and change my vote. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5920 "2023-07-29T18:05:03Z")
Re: giving up on family members. I’ve never done so (or even considered doing so) for my immediate family members / blood relations. That said: - Over the last five or so years, I’ve reduced my interactions with my sister-in-law (my wife’s sister) and her family, largely because I simply can’t get along with my SIL, and I find that the way she interacts with my wife is emotionally abusive. My wife doesn’t disagree with this assessment, but she’s unwilling to reduce her ties to her sister, largely due to guilt, I think. - I have a cousin, with whom I’ve been close since we were kids, though he now lives 6 hours away from me. In recent years, it’s become clear that he’s a MAGAt, and I’ve had no direct communication with him in several years. I’d still talk to him if he reached out, or if we had a family gathering, but I’m not sure how much I want to reach out to him anymore. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5921 "2023-07-29T18:29:47Z")
I’ve never given up on a family member. My mom and dad were both only children, and they’re both gone. I have one brother and one sister. My sister has three sons, my brother has one son, and I have one son and one daughter. Everyone is cool. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5922 "2023-07-29T18:43:30Z")
I haven’t given up on a family member, but I have a family member who has given up on all of us (other than her own children.) I think I was just collateral damage in a problem between her and other people, but as she won’t speak to me it’s hard to be sure. I’m not leaving the country willingly even if the Opposition takes over everything; but I might find myself evicted. Or possibly shot. Even if I don’t get shot (or otherwise murdered), I’d probably die sooner than I’m likely to otherwise because I suspect the medical coverage and other benefits I’m getting would disappear. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/5923 "2023-07-29T18:46:05Z")
For family members, I selected the ‘not quite’ option, but actively avoid interacting with them. Two in fact, although one has since passed, so it’s back to one. The first is/was my maternal grandfather. I did love him, and think he was a great person, but the woman he married during my childhood was out and out poisonous, and she largely prevented him from interacting with my mother and uncle, to keep him entirely focused on her. She was also likely certifiable, and was on multiple medications, and often went on ‘trips’ with a ‘friend’ who paid for everything but was never seen. Before dying, she saddled him with incredible debt that only became clear once my mother and uncle tried to settle his estate during his final illness, and in fact prevented him (or so says my mother) from coming to my wedding (his first and eldest grandchild) and that of my brother. So I never really considered her family, the ‘not quite’ applying to my grandfather. The second is my step-father. Who was a deeply angry man. He was verbally abusive and manipulated both my mother and half-brother, is a barely functional alcoholic, and has followed various conservative media down the JAQ path of not believing anything told by people he doesn’t personally consider trustworthy, and always ‘doing his own research’. Which ended up leaving him quite ill and alone during COVID, as he has long since separated from my mother and my half-brother also wants to have nothing to do with him. The last time I saw or interacted with him was at said brother’s wedding, where he was constantly drinking Walker out of a flask. -sigh- But I understand it hurts, although more for my brother than me. And you never want to give up on someone who you have good memories of. As for the even more depressing political uni-party scenario, I voted for a lower life expectancy, because I see that scenario as the Xtian Supremacy party winning, and I’m a (secular) Jew, so hate crimes would be normalized if not promoted. And I doubt I’d relocate, as what’s happening in Israel is likely on a similar path to a militant Theocracy. Then again, my wife finished her PhD and is now working in a related field… she might qualify to emigrate somewhere vaguely safer, but at our age and limited wealth, it would be very hard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=295) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=297)