# 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:** 93
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1842 "2023-02-05T03:19:30Z")
I’m surprised my “what instrument do you play” had 27% “something else”. I thought I broke up the instrument types logically. Perhaps I didn’t explain enough: - A percussion instrument includes tonal percussion like xylophone, marimba, hammer dulcimer, etc. - I… can’t think of another gap in the categories! Any respondents care to comment? Thanks! ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1843 "2023-02-05T03:45:38Z")
Now that you mention it, I wonder about that too. It looks to me like (as of now) there were 15 people who said they play an instrument, but 18 people responded to the “What instrument do you play?” poll. Maybe at least some of the "something else"s were people who don’t play an instrument but still wanted to respond to the second poll? While we’re at it, what’s the difference between “A woodwind instrument” and “A reed instrument”? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2023, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1844 "2023-02-05T03:56:03Z")
I answered that I don’t play and didn’t respond to the second part. I did play a couple of instruments poorly in high school but nothing since then. I don’t consider that as playing an instrument. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1845 "2023-02-05T03:59:01Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > what’s the difference between “A woodwind instrument” and “A reed instrument”? I’m honestly not sure. A clarinet is both a reed and woodwind instrument. A saxophone is a reed and brass instrument. I cribbed the classifications from an online list that seemed complete (with overlaps) to me. I still think it mostly is. Is a metal didgeridoo a woodwind or brass? It’s always overlaps. What is a harmonica? A harmonica has reeds, right? ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1846 "2023-02-05T04:03:32Z")
Some singers refer to their voices as their “instruments” (seems pretentious to me), but I assumed you weren’t going for that. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1847 "2023-02-05T04:04:10Z")
Well, I figured “you + equipment” = instrument + player. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1848 "2023-02-05T04:23:11Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’m surprised my “what instrument do you play” had 27% “something else”. > > [. . .] > Any respondents care to comment? Thanks! I was mostly joking. I’ve been known to answer that question with “I play “ears”.” I can bang on a triangle or spoons; but not at all well, I wouldn’t really say that I can play either. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1849 "2023-02-05T04:29:06Z")
I played trombone from fourth grade through freshman year of college, and I mean I _played._ Symphonic band, marching band, jazz band, musical pit orchestra, solo & ensemble, you name it, if it had a brass section, I did it. It’s so weird how something can be an enormous part of your life for so long and then one day, you put it down and you never do it again. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1850 "2023-02-05T17:04:58Z")
Like **Loach** and **Spice\_Weasel** I played as a young man but haven’t picked up an instrument in decades. Back when I did play it was like **SW** - in everything I could find. Trumpet, cornet, baritone - if I could stand Norteño music I might still be playing. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1851 "2023-02-05T17:53:10Z")
Because my Swiss tax return has to be done first, the accountant does the American taxes as soon as as the Swiss tax return is completed. In 2020 my Swiss tax return didn’t get completed until August. ☹ Most years are better, but I don’t think my U.S. tax return is usually completed before April 15th. Fortunately I have an automatic extension to June. Unfortuantely taxes are still due on April 15th. I played violin for 8 years, piano for 6, but stopped both when I graduated from college. No desire to play anything else - I prefer to be on the audience side. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1852 "2023-02-05T18:05:42Z")
Where does accordion fit??? I know… use an accordion, go to jail. This is something that could go in the “Show your age without telling your age” thread. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1853 "2023-02-05T22:51:00Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Like **Loach** and **Spice\_Weasel** I played as a young man but haven’t picked up an instrument in decades. Back when I did play it was like **SW** - in everything I could find. Trumpet, cornet, baritone - if I could stand Norteño music I might still be playing. If I had any talent I would still be playing. I could play other people’s music well enough to be part of a high school level band but it didn’t take long to realize my brain was not creative in that way. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1854 "2023-02-05T23:51:28Z")
Fried eggs: I voted up, because that’s my most frequent way of frying them. I put a clear lid over it though so a slight skim appears on the top of the yolk. If I’m adding them to hashbrowns, I might not add the lid as I want them very runny. However, I will go with over easy because that’s what I grew up with… … and, if I am eating them on top of cheese toast, I will go with over medium - just a little bit of liquid in the yolk that won’t end up wasted on the plate. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2023, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1855 "2023-02-05T23:59:25Z")
Voted “Something Else.” I want my fried eggs damn near vulcanized. Useable as an impromptu Frisbee if need be. The slightest bit of wiggly yolk and the cook gets flogged. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1856 "2023-02-06T00:06:34Z")
A local restaurant had a breakfast with a liquid yolk fried egg. When you bit into the yolk and it flowed over the sandwich … divine! ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1857 "2023-02-06T00:07:07Z")
Fried egg: Finally, a poll that understand me! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1858 "2023-02-06T00:12:28Z")
Over medium. It’s the hardest to get just right but easily the best. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1859 "2023-02-06T00:34:16Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Fried eggs: > I voted up, because that’s my most frequent way of frying them. I put a clear lid over it though so a slight skim appears on the top of the yolk. Voted over easy, but I usually accomplish that effect not by flipping the eggs, but by putting a lid on the pan. It’s harder to get the timing right (especially without a clear lid, I should see if I’ve got one and try that), but less likely to break the yolk in the pan. It helps that while I ideally like them a certain degree of doneness, I’ll reasonably cheerfully eat them a bit overdone. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1860 "2023-02-06T00:36:29Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If I had any talent I would still be playing. I could play other people’s music well enough to be part of a high school level band but it didn’t take long to realize my brain was not creative in that way. Yeah, I was a decent player in high school, but I was no virtuoso. I never did get the hang of improv. But I remember it being really, really fun. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/1861 "2023-02-06T00:37:57Z")
Re: Eggs over easy. Today we are at IHOP for the first time. Waiter: How would you like your eggs? Husband: Poached? Waiter: I don’t think so. Cracked me up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=92) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=94)