# 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:** 63
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1242 "2024-04-30T15:53:28Z")
Even though I’ve never been squeamish, bad odors would affect me too. The poll was only about sight and discussion so I voted “keep chowing down”. If I was at the table when the above mentioned dog puke incident occurred, I would stop eating, clean up the puke, wash my hands, and then continue chowing down. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1243 "2024-04-30T16:00:05Z")
When I lived in Philadelphia, I went to a cat show. It was interesting. I stopped at the concession stand run by the local cat group and ordered a hot dog and macaroni salad. While eating the macaroni salad I noticed an odd texture in my mouth. I spit the mouthful into a napkin and was disappointed to find a wad of white cat fur. I finished the hotdog, but not the macaroni salad. ---
**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 30, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1244 "2024-04-30T18:22:20Z")
> [@Polls only: No discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/4863): > > What about the $50 gift card I got from my sister for my birthday? I am not an accountant, but my understanding is that “gifts” are not considered taxable income, but “prizes” are. I would have included another option in the poll: “No, because I’d probably forget that I won it by the time I file my taxes.” ---
**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 30, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1245 "2024-04-30T18:39:27Z")
Other: I wouldn’t even think about 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:** [April 30, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1246 "2024-04-30T19:11:17Z")
Yeah, I picked something, but I’m in the “other, i doubt I’d remember it, and i certainly would be arsed to keep track of it.” category. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1247 "2024-04-30T20:46:16Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I am not an accountant, but my understanding is that “gifts” are not considered taxable income, but “prizes” are. Correct. > [@WildaBeast](#): > > I would have included another option in the poll: “No, because I’d probably forget that I won it by the time I file my taxes.” Same here. ---
**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 30, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1248 "2024-04-30T22:37:19Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > Maybe you can print the crosswords from the website. > > You can, but I’m finding I like doing them online. > > mmm don’t they get harder to see over time with all the pen marks on your monitor…or is that what the special pens are for? > [@Polls only: No discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/4863): > > > [@Polls only: No discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/4863): > > > > What about the $50 gift card I got from my sister for my birthday? > > I am not an accountant, but my understanding is that “gifts” are not considered taxable income, but “prizes” are. I thought it was everything \< $100 was considered de minimis. Imma gonna stick with my answer, even if it is wrong > [@WildaBeast](#): > > I would have included another option in the poll: “No, because I’d probably forget that I won it by the time I file my taxes.” Also, this. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1249 "2024-05-01T00:10:55Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I would have included another option in the poll: “No, because I’d probably forget that I won it by the time I file my taxes.” This was my immediate reaction. I’d have totally forgotten by the time I did my taxes. I subscribe to several decor magazines, because I prefer reading the hard copies over online. I also have online subscriptions to the LA Times, NY Times, and Washington Post. As @puzzlegal said, I like to support journalism. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1250 "2024-05-01T16:41:24Z")
I answered the parole poll based on me, myself and I. So at this point in my life, if I’m in for a few decades, I’d be coming out in my 70s or 80s (I’m just shy of 50 now). What would the point be? I’d get out and immediately be both unemployable and without assets. Fast track to the dark situation of the ex-cons in Shawshank Redemption. Or, if it was today, and I’ve just spent, say 30 years (a few decades) in jail, and I have a chance to get out at just shy of 50, would my answer be different? Well, I’d have lived an entirely different LIFE by that point, so how would I know? I think the answer would probably be the same, although I based on the -me- of right now, attempt it, and then write / try to sell all the details as a book to profit on, which, depending on the jurisdiction, might still be taken from me by the state. Again, _probable_ no. TBH, if you’ve spent decades (2+) in the system, even from a young age, by the time you come out on parole, unless you have a strong support from family, community, faith or what have you, it’s going to be unspeakably difficult to return to any sort of life. Of course, if you have a fuckton of assets (such as SBF, who even if he loses everything, will likely be comfortable from his family’s assets) available, the situation is always different. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1251 "2024-05-01T22:00:48Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I thought it was everything \< $100 was considered de minimis. Imma gonna stick with my answer, even if it is wrong You are not too far wrong. And an auditor would only bother with it if there were other things that would lead to a deficiency of more than $200 in taxes- and the goal is at least $1000. However- a correspondence could send a correction notice about smaller amounts. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1252 "2024-05-03T14:18:48Z")
A face-to-face with a man in the woods could very well be friendly. And if not, I can at least attempt to reason with the man. If need be, I like my fighting chances against the man way more than my chances against a bear of almost any size. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1253 "2024-05-03T14:21:19Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > If need be, I like my fighting chances against the man way more than my chances against a bear of almost any size. I figured there is a good chance the bear wouldn’t want a confrontation. I never know about people. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1254 "2024-05-03T14:34:14Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > A face-to-face with a man in the woods could very well be friendly. Our land is all posted No Trespassing. A random man in the woods is problematic at best. A random bear will be a black bear and unless I’m between a sow and cubs, it’s going to run off. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1255 "2024-05-03T15:48:26Z")
I don’t have a preference unless I know more about the attitude of both the man and the bear. As far as the percentages go, I’m more likely to be in danger from the man; but in practice, I haven’t been harmed by either type of encounter, and wouldn’t expect to be harmed by either if/when it happens again; though I wouldn’t walk up and hug either of them. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1256 "2024-05-03T16:00:02Z")
On TikTok, the polling was heavily lopsided in favor of the bear - that is, most women were more afraid of the man. (Of course, the novelty factor of the bear was likely the reason) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1257 "2024-05-03T16:07:43Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > that is, most women were more afraid of the man. For me (a man), it isn’t really “fear”. If I see a bear in the woods, that’s a cool thing. I’d try to get a picture. If I run into a stranger (male or female doesn’t really matter) I’m going to also get a picture, but it would be part of my response to the stranger trespassing. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1258 "2024-05-03T16:53:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Our land is all posted No Trespassing. A random man in the woods is problematic at best. A random bear will be a black bear I didn’t have any specific woods in mind when I answered the poll. I was thinking not just of a “random man” and a “random bear” but a “random woods” (though I suppose I unconsciously assumed I was somewhere in the U.S.). ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1259 "2024-05-03T17:26:38Z")
I’ve had worse experiences with random men than random bears. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1260 "2024-05-03T18:13:55Z")
I clicked “other” for the discussion on books that I’ve enjoyed in audio format when it comes to discussion. Because the only books I’ve bought on audio were ones I already had and enjoyed in paper/e-book format first. Then again, I own probably less than a dozen audiobooks. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/1261 "2024-05-03T18:38:45Z")
I don’t do audio books. (nothing against them, I just don’t). But if I wanted to know if someone _read_ the US Grant biography, I wouldn’t care if they said “yes” even if they listened to it on tape. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=62) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=64)