# 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:** 325
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6482 "2025-04-21T12:59:32Z")
I remember the _Myth Busters_ guys testing out the toilet plume thing. If I remember correctly, their results were that “contamination” was minimal enough to be insignificant, for whatever results coming from those guys might be worth. (I do think they understood [understand] proper science quite well, but I also think their first priority was to entertain. I mean, let’s face it: The reason you’d watch that show was to see them blow up a cement truck in a rock quarry.) In any case, I’ve lived as long as I have with no concern about that particular question, and I’ve suffered no ill effects I can attribute to it. So why start worrying now? But as others have said, I do put the lid down for aesthetics. It’s zero effort. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6483 "2025-04-21T13:25:51Z")
A paper saying that closing the lid just blows the fomites out along the rim and changes the trajectory of the spread. [https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(23)00820-9/fulltext](https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553%2823%2900820-9/fulltext) ---
**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:** [April 21, 2025, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6484 "2025-04-21T13:58:00Z")
The only time I ever think about it is when I gotta go #2 in a (public) bathroom w/ automatic flushers. It seems they’re _designed_ to flush as the exact same moment that you’re face is the lowest in the process of pulling attire back up. When I flush I am both standing (more distance from the start of the plume) & then turning away after I flush. We did a fundraiser / PR thing where we rode stationary bikes in the lobby of my friend’s office building as the leadup to a charity bike ride. I went in street clothes & then got changed into our team cycling kit in their ~~locker room~~ stall. I swear that thing flushed a good ½ dozen times or every time I leaned forward to put something in/take something out of my bag. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6485 "2025-04-21T14:11:21Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I always put the lid down on the toilet, if there is one. I think it looks nicers. > > I did this before knowing anything about the plume. I put the lid down, because it keeps cats from getting in, and also keeps things (such as those on shelves above the toilet) from falling in, and because I think it looks better. However, I don’t always close the lid before flushing. By the time I heard of the toilet plume I’d already been flushing toilets for maybe fifty or sixty years, and I figure that if I were going to get sick from the plume I’d have long since done so – along with just about everybody else on the planet who lives with flush toilets, over most of the years since they were invented.. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I try to leave other people’s toilets however i found them, because that feels polite Ditto. I’ve noticed, however, that few people who use the toilet in my house put the lid down, even though they found it that way. – I have no idea what name the new Pope is going to choose. I’m more concerned about what policies the new Pope is going to choose. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6486 "2025-04-21T19:59:43Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I have zero worries at home, because consuming a handful of bacteria that already live in my gut is harmless. Good point. Besides the most dangerous germy thing in the house is people kitchen sponge anyway. > [@dirtball](#): > > I remember the _Myth Busters_ guys testing out the toilet plume thing. If I remember correctly, their results were that “contamination” was minimal enough to be insignificant,… Another good point. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6487 "2025-04-22T01:00:37Z")
Most hot dogs are fully cooked, but I don’t think all of them are. In any case, I don’t eat them without cooking them (again) first. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6488 "2025-04-22T03:13:28Z")
I think I’ve had a cold hot dog, as a kid. All the hot dogs i buy are fully cooked and safe to eat without further cooking but they aren’t very tasty without further cooking. So i don’t do that. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6489 "2025-04-22T13:14:17Z")
The Easter egg-roll options made my teeth hurt just by reading them. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6490 "2025-04-22T14:00:47Z")
If they elect a Mexican Pope he can be Pope Ocatépetl. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6491 "2025-04-22T14:47:19Z")
I would have to first do a good bit of research in order to decide which specific car I wanted, and then would have to figure out which of those categories it’s considered to belong in, and what it would cost. If somebody actually offers me that deal, then I’ll bother doing that; but not otherwise. Didn’t vote in those two. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6492 "2025-04-22T16:30:53Z")
We got rid of the landline in January. We only had it because elderly relatives weren’t comfortable texting or emailing when they needed something; it was like that for years, and then we told them we really didn’t want to be paying $250/year, and that seemed convincing enough. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6493 "2025-04-22T16:53:07Z")
I _had_ a landline, then Verizon rolled out Fios to our neighborhood, which was both more expensive & lesser service/more annoying features than the copper wire service that I had. There was a bunch of mail, “Hey, switch over to this new & wonderful (for us) service”. I didn’t & then was actually a bit surprised when they cut off copper. Oh well, it’s not like I used it much anyway; mostly to give out a phone # when I had to give out a phone # but didn’t really want to talk to whomever I gave the phone # to (car salesmen & the like) ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6494 "2025-04-22T17:33:28Z")
I tested positive for COVID just once. It felt like a somewhat-bad cold and I just kept to myself, and read and slept a lot, for a few days. I’ve had Big Macs, but prefer McDonald’s bacon double cheeseburger or McNuggets. Arby’s has long been my favorite fast food, though. Never went to a school dance at any time - too shy and nerdy. Although I had several girlfriends over the years, I didn’t at the time of any such dances (including senior prom). Been summonsed for jury duty four times: twice I didn’t make it out of the waiting room, and twice I made it to the courtroom but not into the jury box. I’ve been dealing with juries since the mid-Nineties in one capacity or another, and would love to see the process from the inside, but have just never had the chance. I’m a bit envious of those who have, frankly. I’ve paddled canoes and rowed rowboats (and taught both at Scout summer camp). I’ve also been on kayaks, rubber rafts and small sailboats. I’ve steered power boats a few times, and once, aboard the replica of the slaveship _Amistad_, had the chance to briefly take the helm while underway. Only been drunk once, in college (at a cast party, on delicious screwdrivers), but have been pleasantly tipsy probably a dozen times or so over the years. I almost never drink that much, though. I prefer hot ham to cold, but will gladly eat either. Better yet if it has a tasty glaze, or if I have a sharp mustard to put on it. I’ve eaten cold hot dogs but really prefer not to. A hot hot dog is much better IMHO. I would never willingly destroy a book, even if I hated it, but I have sometimes sold, often donated or rarely recycled them. I’m aware of toilet plumes, and always try to put the lid down before flushing. If I have to unclog a toilet, I’ll even remove nearby toothbrushes, cups and towels so they don’t get any bacteria on them once I’ve unclogged the toilet and am flushing with the lid up, although I know it’s probably unnecessary. We haven’t had a landline at home in, jeez, six or seven years now. We just use our cells. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6495 "2025-04-22T19:06:46Z")
I am struck a fell blow and hang my head in poignant shame, now break my empty heart, as I remain a wretched wrack that was once a pollster most welcomed. 😉 ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6496 "2025-04-22T19:06:47Z")
I live in a faraday cage, and have terrible cell service. And also, my landline has better ergonomics than a cell phone. So yes, we still pay for a landline. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6497 "2025-04-22T19:09:25Z")
For the new car poll, when I voted I was thinking I would choose a Polestar 2 (an EV designed by Volvo), which I thought was maybe just a little over the $50K limit, but it turns out the MSRP has increased to $64,000, so I guess that’s out. But I’d still probably choose some sort EV hatchback that meets the price limit. I assume there’s some car that fits that description that isn’t a Tesla. Maybe a Hyundai Kona EV? So I’m not changing my vote. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6498 "2025-04-22T20:11:55Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > For the new car poll, when I voted I was thinking I would choose a Polestar 2 (an EV designed by Volvo), We used to be a Volvo family, having three at one point- but then Volvo was sold to China and the quality went way down. I would pick a top of the line Honda Accord (hybrid), so 40K or so. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6499 "2025-04-22T20:20:56Z")
I’m trying to figure out why you’d vote for more than one in those particular polls. Maybe the complaint’s about one earlier in the thread? ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6500 "2025-04-22T20:29:54Z")
I assumed that they are torn between one or more possible vehicles. Which could be fair. I just took it as an opportunity to engage in some faux-Shakespearean melodrama! ---
**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:** [April 22, 2025, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/6501 "2025-04-22T21:02:13Z")
We shall post of this anon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=324) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=326)