# 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:** 349
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6964 "2023-09-25T19:51:26Z")
I knew most of those fictional characters (and I like the Do You Recognize polls). Sherlock Holmes’s adversary was Prof. James Moriarty. Conan Doyle, never much of one for continuity, later gave the late professor’s brother the same freakin’ first name. My wife is definitely more into Christmas decorating than I am, and we always have a fully-trimmed tree, a wreath with a red ribbon on our front door, some outside lights, an Advent wreath and/or calendar, and some Yuletide doodads on our bookshelves. I find clowns kinda scary. Certainly in the last twenty years the vast majority of them in pop culture have been scary ones. Soft tacos, definitely. Hardball, most definitely. I gave hard drinks my vote, but I like a ginger ale, orange pop or root beer on occasion. I agree with **thorny** that either hard or soft sf can be worthwhile, depending on the author’s skill and my own mood. I regularly fly a flag, often one from U.S. history, from our front porch (right now it’s one of these: [Bennington flag - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennington_flag)). I’ve been interested in flags since my Boy Scout days. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6965 "2023-09-25T20:11:31Z")
Kinsey? Scientist? Heh. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6966 "2023-09-25T20:13:44Z")
Bread: I needed an “other” option. My wife likes the heel of bread, so I never actually think about 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:** [September 25, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6967 "2023-09-25T20:15:04Z")
I eat both ends of the loaf of bread; but I might either eat each end as I come to it, or I might use both ends together to make a sandwich, as opposed to making a mis-matched sandwich with one end and a larger middle slice. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6968 "2023-09-25T20:24:20Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Bread: I needed an “other” option. So was I. I do as I was taught: leave the heel in place to help keep the rest of the loaf fresh, then eat both heel pieces last. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6969 "2023-09-25T20:38:37Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > So was I. I do as I was taught: leave the heel in place to help keep the rest of the loaf fresh That’s what I do, but I was never taught to do that. I came up with that on my own. If we get to the end of a loaf, and either of the two ends are still there, I won’t eat them. My sister might. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6970 "2023-09-25T20:53:33Z")
We don’t have kids or family, aside from my husband’s brother, but we do have a husky and a Heeler so no decorating for us. Our parents are all gone, BIL has no wife or kids, and the dogs will eat or knock over anything not nailed down. The three of us are in our mid-50s and not overly religious. Our big concession to the holidays is getting together for a meal at Cracker Barrel. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6971 "2023-09-25T21:10:22Z")
That’s what I do. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6972 "2023-09-25T21:22:14Z")
I already give blood regularly, but if they’re offering money, I’ll not turn it down. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6973 "2023-09-25T21:26:56Z")
I like those names polls. I find it fascinating that there are some people I recognize immediately that others don’t know, and vice versa. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6974 "2023-09-25T21:29:21Z")
Every time I’ve tried to donate blood I’ve been turned away due to low iron count, and once I almost passed out. I don’t know why this is. I’m not afraid of needles at all and whenever I get my blood tested at the doctor, my iron levels are fine. I’m not sure what could convince me to try again, because I find the whole process stressful, and so far unsuccessful. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6975 "2023-09-25T22:43:12Z")
I used to give blood, when my health was up to it, and should probably ask my doctors whether there’s any reason I shouldn’t now when I feel up to it. But not every two months, because it would reduce my strength for a couple of days, so I only gave in the winter when I wasn’t doing as much physical farmwork. If they started paying for it, I’m broke, so I’d take the money. But it would still depend on when I was up to it. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6976 "2023-09-25T22:56:28Z")
Spearchucker. He only had to show up every 3rd week or so, dated a hot nurse so he’d be out of the tent every night and went home after the 1st season. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6977 "2023-09-25T22:57:37Z")
Twice I have ghosted someone that I remember. 1st time (early 20’s) it was very very casual, one date, no chemistry, tho I did get a couple of phone calls from her where she expressed her loneliness. Regret that now. 2nd one I didn’t. Semi-long distance hookup (300 miles), met in between our towns for one date. She then got weirdly obsessive towards me while continuing to refuse to meet face-to-face again, quirky lovey dovey greeting cards every week. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6978 "2023-09-25T23:08:28Z")
Ghosted: Never ghosted or been ghosted by a romantic partner. Ghosted my high school best friend and was ghosted by a different high school best friend. Ghosted my biological father. It would take a lot to get me to ghost someone after having the experience and knowing how much it hurts. I did get the chance to apologize to my high school best friend and she was very gracious. But I think one reason when women ghost men is that if they don’t, they end up subject to a lot of abuse, men who don’t take no for an answer, insults etc which can still happen if they’re ghosted but probably not to the same intensity. That’s just my observation from women’s reported experiences on the Internet. I haven’t been on a proper date in twenty years. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6979 "2023-09-25T23:12:32Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I find it fascinating that there are some people I recognize immediately that others don’t know, and vice versa. Yeah, this (although “fascinating” might be a slightly stronger word than what I’d use). For instance, I was a bit surprised at how few Dopers had heard of Ramanujan. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/UDd9yMpKY_k/hqdefault.jpg "Ever heard of Ramanujan scene from Good Will Hunting 📖") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDd9yMpKY_k) ---
**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:** [September 26, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6980 "2023-09-26T00:06:11Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > > > Bread: I needed an “other” option. > > So was I. I do as I was taught: leave the heel in place to help keep the rest of the loaf fresh, then eat both heel pieces last. I wasn’t taught that, but in practice, it’s what i do if my husband doesn’t eat the outer heel first. Two heels works just fine for pb&j ---
**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:** [September 26, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6981 "2023-09-26T00:10:14Z")
I used to give blood from time to time, but the last several times i did it, i got a horrible itch inside my vein for about 3 days after donating. And it was getting worse. I’m afraid i was becoming allergic to something they used, and thought i might be in trouble if i ever needed an IV or something. So i stopped. Maybe i should try again and see if whatever it was has gone away. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6982 "2023-09-26T00:14:59Z")
I’ve fainted the two times I tried to give blood (it’s a blood pressure thing, I’ve also fainted when vomiting), so it depends…I’ll do it for free if I know I won’t faint, but I don’t know that with any certainty. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2023, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/6983 "2023-09-26T03:13:35Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Maybe i should try again and see if whatever it was has gone away. If you do: tell them about it, when they’re going through all the medical questions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=348) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=350)