# 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:** 294
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5862 "2025-02-27T03:58:49Z")
I voted “yes”, because I have plans for Friday that will preclude my doing any shopping. But… is there some organized movement to not buy stuff that day? I’m feeling very out-of-it. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5863 "2025-02-27T04:05:14Z")
> **[Talk of a "Feb 28 Economic Blackout" is spreading on social media. What is it?](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/economic-blackout-feb-24-hour-february-28-2025-peoples-union/)** > > A grassroots effort is asking American consumers to refrain from making purchases at major retailers for one day in February. It’s not exactly the most _organized_ thing, but it is a thing. I think the poll was as much about finding out if anyone was even aware of it. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5864 "2025-02-27T04:15:30Z")
so…my answer is wrong. Or at least, misleading. I’m going to be traveling that day, and very busy, and I won’t be doing any shopping, in person or on-line. But it’s not because I’m aware of this thing. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5865 "2025-02-27T05:47:21Z")
I think the one-day boycott is utterly pointless, in that no corporations care about day-to-day purchases, but I won’t be spending money just by coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5866 "2025-02-27T10:30:45Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > Fewer is used for countable objects, less is used for non-countable objects, more is used for both Interestingly, there are separate words for “more” in Swedish: fler - more countable things, opposite of “färre” mer - more of an indeterminate amount (sugar, milk, etc.), opposite of “mindre” “färre” sounds like “fewer” to me, which is how I remember it. But “fler” I’m still having trouble with. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5867 "2025-02-27T10:34:21Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I think the one-day boycott is utterly pointless, in that no corporations care about day-to-day purchases, but I won’t be spending money just by coincidence. Agree with the good doctor. I suspect that one of the effects of the boycott is a jump in sales on March 1, more or less equivalent to any dip in sales on February 28. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5868 "2025-02-27T13:37:43Z")
I don’t think the one-day boycott is about making any measureable difference. It’s about bonding people together with a first simple action. A start, not a goal. ---
**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 27, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5869 "2025-02-27T13:42:42Z")
I don’t expect to be buying anything on Friday except for making the first payment on my organic certification fees, which probably doesn’t count (and the certifying organization is pretty strongly DEI.) But to be honest I probably wouldn’t have anyway. I have a lot of days when I don’t buy anything. I lead a stock-up-at-intervals sort of life. ETA: I thought I’d posted something to this effect, and then couldn’t find it in the thread – but then I found it partially loaded in another window and stuck somewhere in the process. I couldn’t seem to do anything about it other than close the window, but if it shows up sometime eventually, apologies for the accidental double. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5870 "2025-02-27T14:15:41Z")
Did not know about this boycott, find it pointless. One day lost in the monthly sales figures, it won’t even be visible. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5871 "2025-02-27T14:20:30Z")
One day’s revenue account for about 3.5% of monthly trade figures which is significant. Of course it will be nothling like that as a lot of people will just spend the money on the 27th or 1st instead. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5872 "2025-02-27T14:25:11Z")
Oh sure, if every single person did it, but most people don’t know about it…and if they did, half of them would go buy something on purpose that day. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5873 "2025-02-27T14:37:52Z")
Maybe this needs its own thread, but any attempt like the 28th to organize democrats is like the proverbial herding of cats. Republicans are just as fractured, but they respond to charismatic authoratative figures and church/FOX news telling them what to do as a group whether they agree on any individual action or not. Democrats have no such corresponding leadership, and grass roots efforts usually fail to garner national support. ---
**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 27, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5874 "2025-02-27T15:44:24Z")
ITSFORSALE. Because I wouldn’t own that car any longer than it took me to sell it. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5875 "2025-02-27T16:54:44Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > so…my answer is wrong. Or at least, misleading. I’m going to be traveling that day, and very busy, and I won’t be doing any shopping, in person or on-line. But it’s not because I’m aware of this thing. This. I hadn’t heard about the above but have plans for a group dinner tomorrow night so I will be buying food (atcually both lunch & dinner) but just due to schedule hadn’t planned on any purchases other than food to be consumed then & there (so, not groceries) & possibly a tank of gas, which I will be needing by Sat afternoon anyway. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Did not know about this boycott, find it pointless. One day lost in the monthly sales figures, it won’t even be visible. Feb is already the shortest month, I’m guessing that sales figures take this into account when they’re reported, though. ---
**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 27, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5876 "2025-02-27T16:59:43Z")
This is the first I’ve heard of a boycott. Sounds pretty useless to me. I’m not planning on buying anything but if my wife tells me she needs me to get something I will. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5877 "2025-02-27T17:39:41Z")
There have been similar one day boycotts spread on social media in the past, e.g. “No one buy gas on this specific day.” They were pretty ineffectual. If people still buy the same stuff they were going to buy anyway, just on a different day, it pretty much has no impact. As for the DeLorean vanity plate, definitely **not** something related to Back to the Future. BTTF references on DeLoreans has become such a tired cliche. I went with something related to my own personal interests, although I’m not sure exactly what I’d pick. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > ITSFORSALE. Because I wouldn’t own that car any longer than it took me to sell it. I wouldn’t want one as my regular daily driver, but if I had the resources to own a collectible/classic car in addition to my normal car I think it would be fun to own a DeLorean and take it to car shows and other car related gatherings as well as the occasional joyride. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5878 "2025-02-27T17:44:56Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > As for the DeLorean vanity plate, definitely **not** something related to Back to the Future. BTTF references on DeLoreans has become such a tired cliche. I went with something related to my own personal interests, although I’m not sure exactly what I’d pick. > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > ITSFORSALE. Because I wouldn’t own that car any longer than it took me to sell it. > > I wouldn’t want one as my regular daily driver, but if I had the resources to own a collectible/classic car in addition to my normal car I think it would be fun to own a DeLorean and take it to car shows and other car related gatherings as well as the occasional joyride. Minor quibble. The only reason I’d _want_ a DeLorean would be _because of_ BTTF, OR so I could put a bunch of bumper stickers on it about how it’s the OG Cybertruck and telling Elon to Suck It. Of which, the first is more likely than the second, since I don’t want some Elon Fanboi shooting me. So, not fighting the hypothetical of the poll, I went with the BTTF plate. Not that I have _any_ intention of buying one for any reason. I take that back, I can think of a third reason. If I wanted to cosplay Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, I could do a weird paintjob and the like to try to make a DeLorean look close. Maybe if I somehow luck into a few dozen billion dollars and somehow run out of _useful_ things to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5879 "2025-02-27T17:50:46Z")
If you answer “no” to the question about buying stuff on February 28, does it still count if you never had any intention to to any shopping on that day? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5880 "2025-02-27T18:52:06Z")
I actually owned a DeLorean for a time, inheriting it from my father. I didn’t bother with custom plates, generic ones were just fine. Damn thing broke down a LOT, took special tools to fix, and the frame rusted after 10 years of Midwest winters. But it was cool to drive. ---
**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 27, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5881 "2025-02-27T18:58:02Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > if I had the resources to own a collectible/classic car in addition to my normal car I don’t. I couldn’t afford to keep it running. And I need the money. It’s not remotely anything I’d use as my normal car. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=293) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=295)