# 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:** 380
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7582 "2025-07-16T20:57:25Z")
I’m not convinced my parents loved each other, at all. That should have probably been a poll option. ---
**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:** [July 16, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7583 "2025-07-16T20:58:27Z")
I answered “other” for the poll on my parents, as it was missing the kind of obvious option of “mother and father loved each other at a comparable level.” I never have seen any sign of their being any real imbalance in the level of affection between my parents, either when I was a kid, or now as an adult (and they’ve now been married for 62 years). They care deeply about each other, have always supported each other, and are close friends and partners as well as spouses – made even more remarkable by the fact that neither of them had good role models in their own parents (my grandparents), as far as strong, loving marriages go. ---
**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 16, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7584 "2025-07-16T21:36:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I answered “other” for the poll on my parents, as it was missing the kind of obvious option of “mother and father loved each other at a comparable level.” Ditto. I don’t think they understood each other very well. But I think they loved each other. ---
**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 16, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7585 "2025-07-16T21:37:27Z")
My parents loved each other. Even when my father had an affair and left. They weren’t particularly good at it, but they loved each other. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7586 "2025-07-16T21:44:57Z")
We were not a touchy-feely family. My parents did not write sappy poetry on birthdays and anniversaries, but by 1950s suburban standards, they loved each other. To the best of my knowledge and belief, there was never any infidelity, there was never any violence, arguments were short-lived, each had skills that the other lacked. They rarely said, “I love you”, but they frequently worked their tails off to take care of each other. ---
**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 16, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7587 "2025-07-16T21:45:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I answered “other” for the poll on my parents, as it was missing the kind of obvious option of “mother and father loved each other at a comparable level.” Ditto. If one of them loved significantly more or less than the other, it wasn’t anything I ever picked up on. ---
**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:** [July 16, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7588 "2025-07-16T22:24:04Z")
I don’t think my parents were capable of a healthy adult love at the time they were married. When I was a kid, it was more like friends who just happened to be raising the same kid and work at the same job, while negotiating families at a similar level of dysfunction. They were married for over 20 years, and have been divorced for over 30. They still care deeply about each other, so it’s a kind of love, I guess, but hard to assess for the poll. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7589 "2025-07-17T00:27:44Z")
I’ve never had Hamburger Helper. Other than mini-eggrolls and a very occasional frozen pizza, we just didn’t have prepared or processed food. My parents appeared to love each other equally. ---
**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 17, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7590 "2025-07-17T03:08:33Z")
When my kids were young we had hamburger helper a lot. Since there isn’t just one kind it’s hard to answer. Some of types were good, others not so much. It was a good quick meal for busy parents to make. The only bad thing about my parent’s marriage was that my father died long before my mother. They had a wonderful marriage for over 30 years. I would say they loved each other equally ---
**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 17, 2025, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7591 "2025-07-17T06:10:59Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I answered “other” for the poll on my parents, as it was missing the kind of obvious option of “mother and father loved each other at a comparable level.” Same. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7592 "2025-07-17T10:41:35Z")
I voted Other because it was between them and none of my business. ---
**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 17, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7593 "2025-07-17T12:44:59Z")
I really do not like being touched, and I find hugging a rather intimate act. As a result, the only person I like hugging is **Mrs Magill**. I have a couple of friends who are huggers, and I tolerate it because I don’t want to offend. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7594 "2025-07-17T13:26:28Z")
I did the hugging poll because I was pondering how I morphed into an (almost) automatic hugger over the years, even with folks I am meeting for the first time. During my working years occasional situations arose where hugs were appropriate (holiday parties, retirement goodbyes), and I had to be careful to respect other cultures’ preferences. Also, I have a family member who could not be more uncomfortable when the hugs start going around. Hugging them is like hugging a cigar store statue. mmm ---
**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 17, 2025, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7595 "2025-07-17T13:40:10Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Also, I have a family member who could not be more uncomfortable when the hugs start going around. Hugging them is like hugging a cigar store statue. I’m sure that’s what it’s like hugging me. I immediately tense up then force myself to relax and return the hug, so I may get out of it as soon as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7596 "2025-07-17T13:43:11Z")
I don’t mind being hugged in the least, but I’m terrified of hugging (or kissing) someone who doesn’t want to be hugged or kissed. Since in my culture everybody greets each other with at least a kiss in the cheek and often a hug, the first 10 or 100 social interactions with people I don’t yet know are extremely stressing for me. ---
**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 17, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7597 "2025-07-17T14:33:53Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I have a family member who could not be more uncomfortable when the hugs start going around. Hugging them is like hugging a cigar store statue. Please stop hugging them. I very much like hugging some specific people under the right circumstances. I very much dislike and will go to significant lengths to avoid hugging otherwise. I voted ‘somewhere between the extremes’. I don’t want either a canary dog or a dog canary because either of them would shortly die an unpleasant death; or at very best would have a difficult and massively frustrating life. Those parts just wouldn’t work together. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7598 "2025-07-17T15:03:11Z")
Dog Canary - it could just fly up & give you big, wet, sloppy kisses; no strain on your back anymore! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7599 "2025-07-17T15:11:23Z")
and yet, _you know where that tongue has been_ ---
**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:** [July 17, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7600 "2025-07-17T15:13:46Z")
but that’s just the thing, it hasn’t been _there_ because birds aren’t as flexible as dogs are. ---
**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:** [July 17, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/7601 "2025-07-17T15:46:06Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Please stop hugging them. I have. mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=379) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=381)