# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380>\
**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:** 428

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8544 "2023-12-08T04:55:12Z")

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You know, I may want to change my answer in the light poll. Also, my answer will be different if I’m at home, where we keep a variety of matches and firelighters, or out. I don’t keep matches or a lighter on me. But if you’re in my house, you definitely won’t be smoking, so what exactly **are** you planning to burn?

My days in a front office left me with the habit of keeping disposable pens in a prominent location, so I’m happy to lend you a cheapo pen and I don’t care if you walk off with it.

Now, the phone…well, you can’t touch that. I’m willing to look stuff up for you, but only my nearest and dearest are allowed to hold my phone, and even then, I get antsy after a few minutes.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8545 "2023-12-08T04:55:49Z")

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I always carry a way to make fire, a bandanna, a swiss army knife and a few bandaids.

But if you wanted me to light your cancer stick, the answer is _hell no._

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**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8546 "2023-12-08T09:15:04Z")

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Regarding the warranty cards, I never fill those out. All goods sold in the EU are required by law to have an automatic two-year warranty from the manufacturer; this warranty isn’t contingent on you registering the product. I’ve never seen a warranty card that offered any better or longer terms than the legally required default, so it’s only the manufacturer who benefits (by collecting your personal data and possibly signing you up for junk mail and spam). Well, come to think of it registering the product probably also lets the manufacturer notify you in the event of a recall, but I’m willing to risk not knowing…

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8547 "2023-12-08T09:33:09Z")

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> [@eschereal](#):
>
> The movies are the same thing – if one is not inclined, they are not worth the effort.

I’ve never read the books, nor have I seen the movies. I think I could even stream them, but I’ve got other movies and shows I want to watch. Someday I might start one of them to see what the fuss is about, but not today.

Regarding the poll about being a SDMB mod, I cannot imagine working 40 hours a week as a moderator, paid or unpaid. Maybe if I was in an office, or had real-time contact with other mods, it could be possible, but sitting alone in my office at home? No thank you.

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**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8548 "2023-12-08T13:23:57Z")

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> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#):
>
> Regarding the poll about being a SDMB mod, I cannot imagine working 40 hours a week as a moderator, paid or unpaid.

I’m surprised that there are some people answering that they’d do the job as a volunteer and not also answering that they’d do the job for payment. If you’re doing the work anyway, why not derive some financial benefit from it? Take the hypothetical money!

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8549 "2023-12-08T13:24:29Z")

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Re: Mods. There wasn’t really an option for “I _was_ a Straight Dope Moderator.”

I liked it well enough, the main issue I had was having to moderate threads with triggering content, which is ultimately why I decided to step down, take a break from the boards, and go get some therapy.

The work itself is kind of fun, particularly for me I enjoyed trying to be as fair as possible and as impartial as possible in interpreting the rules - probably the closest I will ever get to being a judge.

One thing I will add, is that some people who are the most unassuming people you see on the boards are absolute flaming assholes to the mods.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8550 "2023-12-08T13:24:54Z")

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Whereas i usually don’t have matches or a pen on me. But i have handed my phone to people to look something up. I find that people always give me phone back, and often wander off with my pen, on the rare occasions when i do have a pen. I use expensive pens, so even if i have one on me, i wait and see if someone else volunteers their pen before offering up mine.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8551 "2023-12-08T13:32:08Z")

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> [@psychonaut](#):
>
> > [@Die\_Capacitrix](#):
> >
> > Regarding the poll about being a SDMB mod, I cannot imagine working 40 hours a week as a moderator, paid or unpaid.
> 
> I’m surprised that there are some people answering that they’d do the job as a volunteer and not also answering that they’d do the job for payment. If you’re doing the work anyway, why not derive some financial benefit from it? Take the hypothetical money!

Well, i am doing the work as a volunteer mod, and i don’t think I’d do it for payment. There’d be a lot of stress for me around “which hours am i actually working, and which hours am i just putzing around the sdmb?” And as a volunteer, i sometimes sit on a report for a while and mull it over. I’d feel really guilty about that if i were being paid. For that matter, as a volunteer, i work exactly the hours i feel like working. And if something more important to my life comes up, i do it. No qualms. (Well, few qualms.)

I have a friend who volunteers for her church, and works about 15-20 hours a week for free. She says they’ve offered to hire her several times, but she prefers the freedom of being a volunteer.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8552 "2023-12-08T13:34:48Z")

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> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#):
>
> Regarding the poll about being a SDMB mod, I cannot imagine working 40 hours a week as a moderator, paid or unpaid.

This, too. That would be gruesome.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8553 "2023-12-08T14:20:32Z")

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> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> One thing I will add, is that some people who are the most unassuming people you see on the boards are absolute flaming assholes to the mods.

And this is why I would not want to be a mod. The amount of shit they have to put up with must be staggering.

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**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8554 "2023-12-08T14:25:00Z")

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> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> For that matter, as a volunteer, i work exactly the hours i feel like working. And if something more important to my life comes up, i do it. No qualms.

Well, the poll does say “in your spare time”. The moment something more important in your life comes up, you don’t have spare time, right? Though I can see how you might nonetheless feel an obligation to keep working anyway if you were getting paid.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8555 "2023-12-08T14:28:00Z")

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> [@Mollie\_Magill](#):
>
> And this is why I would not want to be a mod. The amount of shit they have to put up with must be staggering.

That’s true, but there’s also a lot of support from other moderators. At least, that was the case when I was doing it. I don’t remember feeling bad about myself or anything when receiving abuse because I had seven other people saying, “You did the right thing.”

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8556 "2023-12-08T14:32:42Z")

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My last car had a locking glovebox, which was usually kept unlocked. If I had to leave something valuable behind, then I would lock it up. My current car has two gloveboxes, neither of which lock. This car also uses an RF keyfob to start and unlock. I suspect the lack of a key may be why the gloveboxes do not lock.

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**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8557 "2023-12-08T14:52:17Z")

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I don’t smoke anymore, so no light.  
I don’t have a smartphone.  
I do have a pen (mainly because i don’t have a smartphone.) You’re welcome.

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**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8558 "2023-12-08T14:59:26Z")

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Our cars are usually inside a garage, but when we are traveling and they will be outside a lot more, and if the car’s glovebox locks, I will lock it. Reason: the car’s registration paper is in there and has our address on it, and anyone breaking into the car can find that. Also, the garage door opener will be on the visor - so if the car does get broken into at least they wont be able to easily find out where we live and access our garage. Probably wouldn’t happen anyway, but why not lock it if you can?

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8559 "2023-12-08T15:58:24Z")

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I’d be happy to be a part-time or full-time Dope moderator at minimum wage.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8560 "2023-12-08T16:26:15Z")

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> [@snowthx](#):
>
> Our cars are usually inside a garage, but when we are traveling and they will be outside a lot more, and if the car’s glovebox locks, I will lock it. Reason: the car’s registration paper is in there and has our address on it, and anyone breaking into the car can find that. Also, the garage door opener will be on the visor - so if the car does get broken into at least they wont be able to easily find out where we live and access our garage. Probably wouldn’t happen anyway, but why not lock it if you can?

I velcroed my garage door remote to the underside of the dash. Unless you know where it is, you won’t find it.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8561 "2023-12-08T16:32:27Z")

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Twice my salary now to be a mod? Sign me up. King Log reporting for duty. I could probably make some side cash betting on when I’d get fired from the position.

I have light gloves in the glove compartment and both heavy duty and nitrile gloves in the kits in the back.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8562 "2023-12-08T16:50:23Z")

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Our Tesla has a PIN unlock feature, which I love. So, it’s always locked. With our other car, I said “sometimes,” but really not that often. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m not sure how it locks and unlocks. I don’t have a “key” for that car. I’ll take a look next time I’m in it.

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**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:** [December 8, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/8563 "2023-12-08T20:23:42Z")

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At the risk of nitpicking, jambalaya _can_ be soup or not, all depending on how watery it is.

Watery? Then it’s soup. Thick? Then it’s “sauce for rice.”

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