# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 118
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2342 "2024-07-18T19:24:22Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Ugh. Sorry about that. No, the other one was better- a groan level pun. 🤪 ---
**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 18, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2343 "2024-07-18T20:12:51Z")
I pronounce "dour’ like “flower,” but I always want to pronounce it like “tour.” ---
**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:** [July 18, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2344 "2024-07-18T20:18:09Z")
If you’re paying for the electricity, aren’t you, _ipso facto_, a customer ? ---
**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:** [July 18, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2345 "2024-07-18T20:19:55Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@DrDeth](#): > > > > If you pay for the electricity- which is how it is going to be- you are not stealing anything. > > Some businesses around here have free L2 charging (rare, but I know of two). They don’t restrict via sign to only customers, but if they did, I think you’d be steeling. Pun aside the question has to be clarified whether you think it’s actually illegal or technically legal but the moral equivalent of stealing. You would have to look at your state but in general signs that are put up in quasi-public spaces like parking lots do not have the force of law. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2346 "2024-07-18T20:55:09Z")
So I admit, the cafe WiFi poll is based on something I actually did. A little over a decade ago I was in Australia. I had a smartphone, but I did not have a SIM card that worked in Australia, so I was completely dependent on WiFi for internet access. The hostel where I stayed in Melbourne charged for WiFi, but my first morning went to a cafe down the street and got a coffee and a pastry or something like that, and used their free WiFi. And then I realized the cafe never changed their WiFi password. So for the rest of my stay in Melbourne, whenever I wanted to use the internet I would go and stand on the sidewalk outside that cafe and connect to their WiFi. Darwin, on the other hand was very generous with the free WiFi – there was a plaza about a block from my hostel that had completely free public WiFi courtisy of the city. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2347 "2024-07-18T22:20:19Z")
By coincidence I am just now reading a new translation of “The Count of Monte Cristo”. (A book I’ve wanted to read my whole life, but never got around to.). The translator’s introduction goes to page xxviii. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2348 "2024-07-18T23:15:48Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Pun aside the question has to be clarified whether you think it’s actually illegal or technically legal but the moral equivalent of stealing. I would say- if you pay for it, you are not stealing. And what is a 'customer" anyway- say i shop there every Friday, but not today- Thursday when I am chagring- am I a customer? I got a Loyalty card and everything. ---
**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 18, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2349 "2024-07-18T23:24:12Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > The translator’s introduction goes to page xxviii. I voted I don’t care. But more accurately, it would be _I don’t notice_. Who looks at page numbers when reading a book? ---
**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 18, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2350 "2024-07-18T23:26:13Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Pun aside the question has to be clarified whether you think it’s actually illegal or technically legal but the moral equivalent of stealing. I didn’t think the poll was asking about the legal status, i thought it was asking about the moral status. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2351 "2024-07-18T23:45:01Z")
I think the underlying question is “How many pages is too many to have to skip over before the book actually begins?” ---
**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 19, 2024, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2352 "2024-07-19T00:49:44Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I didn’t think the poll was asking about the legal status, i thought it was asking about the moral status. Same. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2353 "2024-07-19T00:55:22Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > By coincidence I am just now reading a new translation of “The Count of Monte Cristo”. (A book I’ve wanted to read my whole life, but never got around to.). The translator’s introduction goes to page xxviii. Now that’s a good example of where Roman numeral page numbers should be used. The translator’s introduction is not part of the book itself, it postdates the existence of the book, and many readers may want to skip it. On the other hand, I’ve seen (IIRC) Roman numeral page numbers used for an introduction or prologue written by the author of the book and intended to be considered as part of the book itself; and I consider that bogus. So, it’s not an issue of _how many_ pages should have the Roman numeral numbering, but _what kind_ of pages. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2354 "2024-07-19T01:00:20Z")
I think a translator’s introduction should use Roman numerals, a preface should use Egyptian hieroglyphic numbers, and a foreword should use cuneiform numbers. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2355 "2024-07-19T05:52:31Z")
Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2356 "2024-07-19T12:58:23Z")
And acknowledgements should use Mayan numbers. ---
**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 19, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2357 "2024-07-19T18:51:57Z")
Drinking containers go right side up unless the environment’s particularly dusty or otherwise dirty; then they go upside down to keep the insides clean. I put shampoo in my hair, then soap my body while the shampoo’s holding my hair up out of the way, then rinse both hair and body off simultaneously. There wasn’t an “other” option. ---
**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 19, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2358 "2024-07-19T18:55:57Z")
I am surprised that (so far) I’m the only EV owner to vote in the poll. I do know other dopers have EVs, so I expect it will change somewhat. Of the 10 people or so who work in my office, half own EVs. Of my friends and family, it’s about half as well. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2359 "2024-07-19T19:06:26Z")
One year for Christmas my mother-in-law bought us a set of V-shaped glasses and tumblers. The whole set only fits in my cupboard if I alternate them rim up and rim down. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2360 "2024-07-19T19:17:40Z")
Rim up for me. I feel that if the environment is dusty, the shelf is already dusty, so putting the glasses rim down is just going to get dust on the rim. I cycle through my glasses frequently enough than any dust buildup on the glasses should be minimal. But I clean my shelves much less frequently, so dust on the shelves would not be unexpected. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/2361 "2024-07-19T19:34:48Z")
The poll about Wifi- the restaurant should define what they consider 'customers". Say you are a person who eats lunch there every week day. But you drop buy some evening and use the wifi- yes? No? Or you come in, buy a coffee and sit their for 8 hours using the wifi? yes? no? See, there can be no hard & fast rule- obviously customer #1 is a customer- he spends $ there every day. The second person has bought something that trip- but is taking up a seat and abusing the privilege. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=117) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=119)