# 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:** 300
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5982 "2025-03-11T15:29:18Z")
I’ve been an advertising strategist for most of the past 25 years. In recent years, reading/writing emails is probably no more than 10% of my work time. What _is_ the lion’s share of my work time is now being on Teams/Zoom video calls, with colleagues, clients, and/or consumers (part of my role is conducting “usability testing” research on our client’s websites) – there are days in which I’m on video calls for 80+% of my day. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5983 "2025-03-11T16:04:23Z")
For the FAQ pronunciation - I never pronounce the acronym. I say the entire phrase: _Frequently Asked Questions._ I don’t want to be accused of saying a word genetically close to FAQ lol. 😱 It’s rare that I ever need to use this particular acronym/phrase in any offline conversations anyways. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5984 "2025-03-11T16:43:56Z")
According to the poll, the consensus is that there should be ~10.3 new polls each day, but according to my calculation we are currently only adding ~4.7 That’s less than half !! I’m off to do my bit… ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5985 "2025-03-11T18:02:05Z")
Unlisted other: I pay one fixed bill (health care) because I’m afraid of fucking it up by forgetting it, and some variable bills where they either forced me into it, tricked me into it, or gave me a discount. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5986 "2025-03-11T18:08:19Z")
I have an unholy hybrid of auto pay, pay online and a couple pay by check (local water bill and plumbers). Last year I attempted to clean up some of this mess but ended up creating a wreckage of epic proportions. I actually paid my electric bill three times - once in each category (auto pay, online and check). After that I decided to let it all simmer and shake out until I was in a better state of mind That was a year ago and the better state of mind has not yet arrived. It’s on my to do list. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5987 "2025-03-11T18:24:00Z")
FAQ rhymes with Iraq. I try to do the q properly (IPA /q/). ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5988 "2025-03-11T18:49:14Z")
FAQ - depends, I’ve said both. I’m more _likely_ to say Eff-aaay-que though - because, well, depending on how you pronounce it as a “word”, your company, and context, it can be taken the wrong way. Especially if someone only hears half the conversation. 😉 Auto-pay. Things that I can set up for autopay that include a discount (Cell service, Cable Internet) absolutely. Things that at least don’t charge a fee for autopay, almost always. Services (my stupid local utility and mortgage company) that charges a FEE (da faq? 😜 ) for autopay? They get checks in the mail the bastards! ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5989 "2025-03-11T18:58:20Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > According to the poll, the consensus is that there should be ~10.3 new polls I’m wondering what the range is, and also whether we have a few people wanting a huge number of polls but most people wanting less, or the other way around, or numbers desired scattered more or less evenly over the voters. All I can see is the average rating; it’s not offering me any other options. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5990 "2025-03-11T19:14:48Z")
Yeah, the average isn’t always the best statistic to use in every situation, since it can be skewed be a few large outliers. The median would probably be a better statistic here. Alas, the board software doesn’t give us the option for anything other than average. As an aside, I believe that’s why you typically hear about median home prices rather than average home prices. An astronomically priced mansion or two would totally skew the average price for a home in a town of otherwise modest homes, but the median will give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay, give or take. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5991 "2025-03-11T19:21:08Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Alas, the board software doesn’t give us the option for anything other than average. It does, however, give the option to have the poll show a choice between number of voters for each, and percentage of voters for each. Somebody who really wants to know the average could work it out from there; but not vice versa. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5992 "2025-03-11T20:00:49Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Yeah, the average isn’t always the best statistic to use in every situation, since it can be skewed be a few large outliers. Hey ! Who are you calling a large outlier ?! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5993 "2025-03-11T20:05:54Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > FAQ - depends, I’ve said both. I’m more _likely_ to say Eff-aaay-que though - because, well, depending on how you pronounce it as a “word”, your company, and context, it can be taken the wrong way. I will say either, depending but mostly FAK. At school we had “Bermuda days” on most fridays during the nice weather- kids were allowed to wear shorts and the girls could wear pants. My little group wore dress shirts and ties to protest the idea. At one of my jobs, and my wife’s job, there were days you were encouraged to wear a Team shirt or a favorite movie shirt or something. Totally optional. My wife wears her Uni shirt, refusing to honor any pro teams. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5994 "2025-03-12T03:56:04Z")
I hardly ever need to say “FAQ,” but when I do, it’s by saying the letters one by one: “eff aaa cue.” Both my current employer and the previous one have casual Fridays, as well as game days on which staff are permitted to wear Cleveland Browns, Cavs or Guardians fan clothing. Five polls a day would be great. Less is a little disappointing, when I take a look at the thread; more would probably be asking too much of my fellow Dopers. I’ve read too many stories of hacked corporate databases to set up autopay. I’m Old School, and write checks (I know, I know: that’s not perfectly safe, either). My work email rarely takes me more than ten minutes or so. I do it first thing in the morning and get it out of the way. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5995 "2025-03-12T04:01:40Z")
I spend more time deleting emails that I don’t need to read than actually reading emails ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5996 "2025-03-12T04:51:11Z")
I thought i spent a lot of time reading email at work, but i picked the smallest category. Who actually alternate all day reading email? At some point, you have to do something. (Which might be writing emails, but…) When i went on vacation for a week or two, i sometimes spent much of my first day back catching up on email, but that was pretty much the only time i spent more than an hour in a with day reading emails, and often it was less. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5997 "2025-03-12T10:57:49Z")
I’m not sure how to assign a time to emails, but after the Great Email Purge (when I got my inbox down from almost a thousand to a running \<=20), I figured out that I received 50-60 emails a day that required some kind of actual response, and 20-30 that I could file away or delete. Bear in mind that I was also writing emails (which generated some of those responses), which could require significant thinking time. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5998 "2025-03-12T12:23:03Z")
I did not include time writing emails in my estimate of “time reading emails”. As you say, writing emails can require significant work, and is (hopefully) creating something of value to your employer. Reading emails is learning the things you need to know to do your job. And yes, that takes a certain amount of time. I guess people who manage a lot of people need to do a lot more that might be done by reading emails than people with other sorts of jobs. I don’t think i ever managed more than 6 or 8 people, and at that level, most of my work wasn’t “keeping track of what others are doing via email”, but directly working with my employees or doing work myself. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5999 "2025-03-12T12:49:43Z")
Time for my semi-annual rant. We need to go back to DST starting at the end of March and ending at the beginning of October. The original schedule was closer to the equinox, so the time shift was less jarring then, and we were not sending our kids to the bus stop in the dark for five months. Fuck Hershey and M&M/Mars. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6000 "2025-03-12T13:25:19Z")
I am not certain whether you are holding the chocolatiers responsible for your kids’ tenebrous journey to the bus stop, or the shift in the time shift. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6001 "2025-03-12T13:36:23Z")
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