# 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:** 88
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1741 "2026-05-18T19:06:17Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Definitely a tree. But I,m dithering over which tree. — if a willow keeps sending up shoots from its roots, is that still the same tree? A tree is a good, but boring answer. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2026, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1742 "2026-05-20T11:36:16Z")
I probably have this conversation with the senile person many times, and i probably play it different ways depending on my mood and my patience. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1743 "2026-05-20T19:24:59Z")
My mother had advanced Alzheimer’s by the time she fell in her home and had to be hospitalized. At the hospital, she told me that she needed to get home because her mother would be worried about her (her mother had been dead for 50 years at that point). I told my mom that her mother was dead, and she freaked out: “What? No! That’s impossible, I would remember that!” etc. An hour later she again told me that she needed to let her mother know where she was. I again told her that her mother was dead, and got the same reaction. The third time she told me that she needed to contact her mother, I just told her that I had already contacted her mother and let her know where my mom was. I felt very bad about lying to her, but I saw no point in repeatedly putting her through that distress, and I believe that I did the right thing. ---
**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 20, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1744 "2026-05-20T20:42:54Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > By far, my most-often-heard full original soundtrack was not on this list: _ **Godspell** _. I played the full LP maybe fifty times between about age nine and fourteen, and maybe another twenty times since. I won tickets to a special showing on a radio call-in show. I liked the movie a lot, and since part of the winning package was an LP of the soundtrack, I played it a lot, too. I was older than you, though. I was late teens. I also love _Enchanted_ and _Wicked._ I saw a production of the latter at the Pantages that was quite good – got tix as a present from a friend who wanted to see it again and didn’t want to go alone. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > There are spiders living in the house, but I don’t think there are. any resident in the car. It used to drive me crazy when I lived at home, and my brother would move my car (to play street hockey in the garage). He’d always leave the driver’s side window a little, moths would _always_ get in overnight. Then, the next morning when after I’d driven a block or two, some giant moth would fly in my face and try to make me have an accident. I’m sure it was intentional. Harrumph. > [@markn\_1](#): > > I felt very bad about lying to her, but I saw no point in repeatedly putting her through that distress, and I believe that I did the right thing. Yes, my sister worked on a geriatric floor for years, and she said the best thing to do is agree with the person and try to change the subject if it distresses them. As @markn_1 said, they won’t remember what you said, and they’ll just keep re-living the trauma. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1745 "2026-05-22T19:31:18Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Yes, my sister worked on a geriatric floor for years, and she said the best thing to do is agree with the person and try to change the subject if it distresses them. As @markn_1 said, they won’t remember what you said, and they’ll just keep re-living the trauma. That is the only thing to do. I have dealt with this professionally and now in my private life. You agree with them and steer the conversation away. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1746 "2026-05-22T20:17:10Z")
Duh. Weddings are the number one reason there are tuxedo rentals. I’m renting my costume and going to the wedding. I ain’t buying shit. That option wasn’t included, so I didn’t vote. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1747 "2026-05-22T20:21:42Z")
I have a dark suit, though it’s not truly black, and no black tie. I’d rent a tuxedo for the event. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1748 "2026-05-22T20:31:46Z")
I have a black suit in the closet, but I doubt I can still fit into it. I guess I’m renting too. I voted “I’d have to buy part of the outfit”; I took it to mean I’d have to do somewhere to obtain the required outfit, which you may or may not literally buy. ---
**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 22, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1749 "2026-05-22T20:32:44Z")
I don’t want to fight the hypothetical, but none of the responses fit what I’d say. I’d jerryrig a black outfit that looked formal-ish. I would _not_ go out and buy an evening gown that I’d never wear again in my life. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1750 "2026-05-22T20:38:26Z")
I’ve never worn a tuxedo in my life, and I assumed that buying one would run me over $1000. But a quick online scan shows that you can get one for around $150. It’s undoubtedly not high quality, but for something I will be wearing for a few hours, I might just buy one. Otherwise I’ll rent it. I’m not going to upset the bride or groom or other participants to save a few bucks or to make some kind of narcissistic statement. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1751 "2026-05-22T20:38:41Z")
I’m not actually certain whether i have that in my wardrobe. But I’d buy that parts i need and wear a black suit, black tie, and white shirt. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1752 "2026-05-22T20:43:33Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I have a black suit in the closet, but I doubt I can still fit into it. I guess I’m renting too. I voted “I’d have to buy part of the outfit”; I took it to mean I’d have to do somewhere to obtain the required outfit, which you may or may not literally buy. Yes I would count that as buy part of the outfit. You are putting out money in order to follow the dress code. That counts. > [@carrps](#): > > I don’t want to fight the hypothetical, but none of the responses fit what I’d say. I’d jerryrig a black outfit that looked formal-ish. I would _not_ go out and buy an evening gown that I’d never wear again in my life. I would consider that to fall under the choice that you have it in your closet. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1753 "2026-05-22T20:45:12Z")
Rental. The hypothetical doesn’t include this very common solution. I do look fetching in a tux. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1754 "2026-05-22T21:08:40Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Rental. The hypothetical doesn’t include this very common solution. I had a tux, but I doubt if it fits. Yeah, rent on, easy peasy. ---
**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 22, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1755 "2026-05-22T21:53:11Z")
It would depend on whether I could find something at the used store, cheap, that came somewhere near fitting me. Didn’t vote. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1756 "2026-05-22T22:18:20Z")
Nobody who knows me would ever invite me to something with those restrictions. Wouldn’t attend and they know it. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1757 "2026-05-23T00:23:26Z")
Same. Have never even been in the same room as an evening gown. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1758 "2026-05-23T01:05:29Z")
Last time i was invited to an event with a rigid dress code, o wore a nice suit instead of dealing with gowns. ---
**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 23, 2026, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1759 "2026-05-23T07:14:21Z")
I have a black suit and a tux in my closet. I’d probably wear the black suit, since a tux is pretty formal if you’re not in the wedding party. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157/1760 "2026-05-23T15:15:22Z")
I don’t notice that the coin is valuable, and so do nothing. If i noticed, say, that there was a surprisingly shiny coin, and peered and saw that it was a silver quarter (no idea what that’s worth today, but I’m sure it’s worth more than 25¢), i honestly don’t know what I’d do. Probably tell the cashier. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=87) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-3/1027157.md?page=89)