# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 29, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157 "2026-01-29T18:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 106
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2101 "2026-06-23T13:26:13Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And whether the ship sank or sunk depends on the rest of the sentence. The battleship sunk three ships. Then it sank. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2102 "2026-06-23T13:34:57Z")
Yes! I was trying to figure out why I use both (for simple past). One is transitive, the other intransitive. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > The thing i drink on airplanes and almost nowhere else is tomato juice. A question (well, answer) on today’s _Jeopardy_ noted that this is rather common. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2103 "2026-06-23T13:43:58Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > For psychonaut’s “disadvantages of a car with steering in the side you’re not used to” poll, I couldn’t vote, because there was no “other” option. I voted, but what i find hardest is centring the car in the lane. Everything else was an easy adjustment. And I did glare really hard at a teenager in the driver’s seat looking at her phone instead of the road…. Until her dad behind the wheel on the “passenger” side waved at me. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2104 "2026-06-23T14:28:42Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Until her dad behind the wheel on the “passenger” side waved at me. Ha! Yes, I’ve had moments like that, in Malaysia, Ireland, etc. Child drivers! ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2105 "2026-06-23T15:44:13Z")
“Other” on **John\_DiFool** ’s hardness poll. 1. I regularly listen to a lot of different and diverse music, so it’s impossible to choose just one point in the spectrum. 2. The article is ridiculous. It’s easy to be an authoritative expert on something you just made up. When it got to the part about each of the 11 levels being divided into 5 subcategories, I was out. 3. Hi, Opal! ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2106 "2026-06-23T15:57:40Z")
The only custom option I want in my car is a decent place to stow my purse when I’m the driver. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2107 "2026-06-23T16:06:56Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > “Other” on **John\_DiFool** ’s hardness poll. > > 1. I regularly listen to a lot of different and diverse music, so it’s impossible to choose just one point in the spectrum. > 2. The article is ridiculous. It’s easy to be an authoritative expert on something you just made up. When it got to the part about each of the 11 levels being divided into 5 subcategories, I was out. > 3. Hi, Opal! This. I voted “5,” trying to take the average, but I think it’s more that my range is around 3–8 or 9. I like a couple of hard songs, but dislike the sound of electric guitars, so it’s rare. On the other end, I like classic country and traditional ballads, but generally dislike Classical music. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2108 "2026-06-23T16:09:32Z")
I loathe ranch dressing _as it exists today._ When it was still a local product, sold in paper bags you mixed yourself it was tolerable. But the commercial dressing is total crap. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2109 "2026-06-23T16:22:21Z")
Regarding the music poll, I often listen to Opeth. Who is included in the article as an example of a band that ranges from 1 to 10. Which basically describes my musical tastes. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2110 "2026-06-23T16:26:38Z")
Most of the music I listen to is in the 2 to 4 range, with 3 probably being the best descriptor of my favorite bands and styles of music, so that’s what I chose. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2111 "2026-06-23T16:27:12Z")
I didn’t agree with some of the descriptions of the scale but I voted anyway. I voted 7 since I interpreted that bands like Queensryche and Dream Theater are there. Much of what I listen to are well below 7. Since you used the word like instead of love I could vote affirmatively for ranch. It’s not my number one for salads but it will do in a pinch. I like it to dip carrots and wings but for a salad I prefer some sort of balsamic vinaigrette. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2112 "2026-06-23T16:44:14Z")
That’s a pretty silly scale. Heavy Metal and its spin-offs aren’t the ghost peppers of hard Rock. I’m a Garage Rock guy, and I’ve heard Surf and Rockabilly that’s “harder” than any death metal. Re: Ranch. I don’t dislike it but there a dozen dressings I would rather have. Blue cheese is usually my go-to. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2113 "2026-06-23T16:56:26Z")
I like ranch, but I did not have to travel to the U.S. to try it, you can get it here in big(ish) stores. (probably not in the local bodega). It’s not very popular. ---
**Author:** ![Thumper668](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thumper668/32/20803_2.png) [@Thumper668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thumper668)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2114 "2026-06-23T17:02:46Z")
Ranch is one of my least favorite for salads (except for Ken’s Peppercorn Ranch). I do use it on sandwiches (turkey, swiss and bacon with a dollop of ranch is high on this list). Wendy’s used to have a ghost pepper ranch dipping sauce that was pretty good as a condiment too, but I’ve never seen anything like it on store shelves. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2115 "2026-06-23T17:26:21Z")
In the music poll, I’m all over the scale with my selections. I guess most of what I listen to falls into the range of 3 or 4 to about 7, but I couldn’t pick one number that would be typical for me. And there’s stuff I like all the way to each end of the scale. So I voted “None of the Above.” I’d say that overall, I tend to prefer music that I’d describe as having some “bite” to it. “Hardness” can provide that quality, but it’s neither sufficient nor necessary (to my ear) when I’m deciding whether I like a song. The Stones’ “Sister Morphine” certainly isn’t hard, but it has plenty of bite. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2116 "2026-06-23T17:55:29Z")
I’m not really into salad dressing on salads. And i hate soggy sandwiches, and would never put it on a sandwich. (If i can’t order a sandwich without the soggy dressing, I’ll get something else.) So, while i tolerate a little ranch dressing on a salad, i voted, “no”. I can’t remember the last time i had ranch dressing. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2117 "2026-06-23T19:08:59Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Re: Ranch. I don’t dislike it but there a dozen dressings I would rather have. Blue cheese is usually my go-to. Right, So, I dont dislike or like Ranch. It is just okay. Not bad as a dip for veggies. > [@Frodo](#): > > I like ranch, but I did not have to travel to the U.S. to try it, you can get it here in big(ish) stores. (probably not in the local bodega). Here? ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2118 "2026-06-23T19:32:12Z")
I tolerate the bottled ranch, but I don’t have it very often and I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I do like the version that you make from powder. Anyway, pass the blue cheese. mmm ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2119 "2026-06-23T20:04:03Z")
The center of the universe, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/2120 "2026-06-23T20:49:00Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > > [@Wheelz](#): > > > > “Other” on **John\_DiFool** ’s hardness poll. > > > > 1. I regularly listen to a lot of different and diverse music, so it’s impossible to choose just one point in the spectrum. > > 2. The article is ridiculous. It’s easy to be an authoritative expert on something you just made up. When it got to the part about each of the 11 levels being divided into 5 subcategories, I was out. > > 3. Hi, Opal! > > This. I voted “5,” trying to take the average, but I think it’s more that my range is around 3–8 or 9. I like a couple of hard songs, but dislike the sound of electric guitars, so it’s rare. On the other end, I like classic country and traditional ballads, but generally dislike Classical music. I almost did a 3 parter, average, highest artist, lowest, but that risks confusing people I’ve found. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=105) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=107)