# Do you have a vice? Or are you straight as an arrow? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 2, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791 "2004-09-02T16:32:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/21 "2004-09-02T20:20:21Z")
I don’t drink, smoke, or use drugs, but I still have some vices. Caffeine – I don’t like coffee, but I love Coca-Cola and Pepsi. I drink way too much of the stuff! Sugar – Chocolate cakes and chocolate chip cookies are my favorite sweets! I don’t like candy, but I just love my cake and cookies! Etc. – I have had a lifelong love affair with Pringles potato chips! Etc. – Fried Chicken. It is really embarrassing how much I can eat at one sitting! And, of course, my comic book collecting. I’ve been a comic book junkie since I was about ten years old. That Wertham guy from the 1950s (I’ve drawn a blank on his first name!) would definitely count that as a vice! Of course, my comic collecting led to my superheroine fetish, which I suppose would be considered a vice… ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/22 "2004-09-02T20:22:40Z")
I still smoke, but I’m getting worried because now my lungs make noises. I know full well that I have to quit, but here’s the thing: I quit cold turkey about 20 years ago, and I’ve never been so sick in my life. I don’t know if I got the flu at the same time, but I’m petrified to go through that again! Maybe they still do those blood changes in Switzerland… I would not pass up an opportunity to take advantage of some of Mother Nature’s Finest, despite it being officially frowned upon. It doesn’t happen very often, though. I don’t drink or gamble or womanize, but I sure likes me a cup of tea. A LARGE cup of tea, all day. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/23 "2004-09-02T20:42:28Z")
I’m the original obsessive/excessive person. As I tell people “If I were compulsive, I’d be dead.” I’ve gotten on and off of uppers & downers, pot, cigarettes, and wine. I had a very bad coffee habit, but I’ve stopped drinking it after 2 p.m., and now it’s just one 24 oz. cup in the office in the morning. Considering what I’ve been through, that’s very very good. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/24 "2004-09-02T20:50:54Z")
None, really. I’m pregnant so I don’t drink at all, but before that I would have maybe one or two drinks in a month. I quit smoking years ago. We don’t make regular coffee because the caffeine does odd things to Dave’s heartbeat. I’m allergic to all forms of cannabis, and don’t like having a blurry head anyway. I guess if the internet counts, that’s the only one. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2004, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/25 "2004-09-02T21:18:20Z")
> [@](#): > > I still smoke, but I’m getting worried because now my lungs make noises. I know full well that I have to quit, but here’s the thing: I quit cold turkey about 20 years ago, and I’ve never been so sick in my life. Goddamn it your body is telling you something, quit already. I thought it would be impossible but I haven’t touched one in three years. I found the patch worked very well for me. No nicotine cravings so I could concentrate on the triggers (Having one with a drink, after meals etc). I feel so much better now, especially in the morning. It was getting to were I had to cough up part of my lung and have a smoke before I felt right in the morning. I won’t try to tell you I don’t miss it sometimes but it is worth it. My big vice is gambling. I love going to casinos. I don’t go more than once or twice a year since I got married because we can’t afford it. I don’t go expecting to win (I am hoping) I just have fun. Of course it is much more fun when you win. ---
**Author:** ![Kuizelemartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19b73/32.png) [@Kuizelemartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuizelemartz)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/26 "2004-09-02T21:24:20Z")
I’m with **Lumpy** , sugar is my uncontrollable desire. I don’t smoke, drink or gamble. I’d love to smoke, but I quit about 5 years ago and I feel so much better. I have no desire to drink or gamble. I even avoid caffeine. Caffeine free Coke is my drug. If I can’t find any, I’ll drink straight Coke. When I’m desperate for sugar, I’ll make Kool-Aid. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/27 "2004-09-02T21:24:54Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > Mountain Dew is my biggest vice. Not necessarily just caffeine, or sugar, or artificial colors and flavors, but that particular combination. Well, all the flavored combinations. Mountain Dew _rocks_. Wanna know what’s _really_ good. Some of the 7-11s near me have Mountain Dew slurpees. I take a 22 oz cup and add an inch or two of regular Dew in the bottom, then add the Slurpee portion. This makes for a very wet, cold and delicious Mountain Dew slurpee. Burp! Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/28 "2004-09-02T21:27:34Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > I still smoke, but I’m getting worried because now my lungs make noises. You should be beyond _getting_ worried and see about getting respiratory tests done ASAP. That is seriously bad. My grandfather and stepfather both died of lung cancer, and it’s really an ugly and painful way to go. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/29 "2004-09-02T21:30:23Z")
I love good food. I’m an unapologetic food snob (it doesn’t have to be fancy, but it’s got to be well-made). I’m an active person, so my weight stays down, but, man alive, do I love to eat! I also looove good beer. Wine is nice, and I like the occasional mixed drink, but good beer is the ticket. Although I’m faithful and utterly enamored of my husband, I lust after other people. I’d never act on that lust, but I suppose that counts. I could give these vices up (okay, maybe not the lust, that would be hardest), but they make my life so much more pleasant! ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/30 "2004-09-03T00:42:51Z")
Coffee. Cigarettes. An occasional beer. An occasional shot of good single malt Scotch. An occasional premium cigar. ---
**Author:** ![ShadiRoxan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@ShadiRoxan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadiRoxan)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/31 "2004-09-03T01:26:22Z")
I was never really a drinker. An occassional beer was nice, but that was one every three months or so. My weaknesses were Dr Pepper and cigarettes. I tried to quit the cigs, but I could never make it beyond 48 hours. I felt this need for both of them. I just didn’t have the right incentive to get off either of them. Then I found out I was pregnant. Within five days the cigs were gone. It’s not that I even miss them, I just miss having that something extra to do. Something to take up the breaks at work or to break up a boring stretch of time with nothing to do. The Dr Pepper for the most part has been cut out. I drink a bit on occassion when I miss the taste, but the lack of caffiene doesn’t bother me any more. The question is, can I continue not doing this after I have the baby. ---
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/32 "2004-09-03T02:05:54Z")
See, I had convinced myself I was a good girl until your thread came along. I drink. Not a lot, but every day. I love good beer and wine. I smoke. I’ve tried to quite twice, but I really do enjoy smoking. Caffeine. I must have a cup of coffee in the morning. No exceptions. And I drink an obscene amount of Diet Coke every day. I even got a little bitty fridge for my office. It fits exactly six cans of Diet Coke. I eat fairly healthily, but I really enjoy good food. Before I had my stomach issues, I was a total food slut. I seriously wanted to be a food writer and I use cookbooks as a form of food porno. i don’t know if this qualifies as a vice, but I must have reading material available. I get antsy if I don’t have a new book around. I spend a great deal of free time at Half Price Books, recycling my old stuff for new material. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/33 "2004-09-03T04:16:54Z")
I’ve got a normal vice - coffee. I get caffeine withdrawal headaches if I don’t have some in the morning. I’ve also got an incredibly stupid vice that my husband makes fun of me for constantly: computer solitaire. Yes. Solitaire. My husband’s always asking, “Why are you addicted to such a lame game? Can’t you at least get addicted to Diablo or Splinter Cell? That would be understandable. But solitaire! Why, why??” I can’t explain it. But I can tell you that I am the Queen of Solitaire! :wally ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/34 "2004-09-03T04:34:49Z")
Coffee (current) Sex (current) Sugar (struggling) Booze (past) Weed (past) Cocaine (past) LSD (past) Assorted painkillers (past) I guess that’d be a big ‘yes’ for me! ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/35 "2004-09-03T06:11:19Z")
Let’s see: Not alcohol: I’ve had maybe 10 drinks this year. Not caffeine: I don’t even touch soda – of any kind. Not nicotine: Never. Not drugs: I’ve been stoned once, took mushrooms once. Not gambling: it can be a rush, but done it in years. Not sweets: I like good dark chocolate, but can do without it. [Adam Ant]Goody two, Goody two, Goody-goody two shoes.[/Adam Ant] Huh? Oh, wait. **Internet porn** (female domination sites, specifically) knocks me to my knees and pummels me without mercy. Straight [Dope.com](http://Dope.com) is my methadone. BDSM? Counter with SDMB. Lusting after women is another one, but I never take it any farther than looking, or maybe an occasional flirt. And I really dig **playing dodgeball**. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/36 "2004-09-03T06:17:05Z")
I’m loaded with vices, similar to the way a good oatmeal cookie is loaded with raisins. I eat too much, I stay up way too late, I laugh too loudly (if you don’t think this is a vice, you’ve never heard me laugh), I’m lazy, I spend a lot of time on the internet (which will only get worse, I fear). I don’t take drugs except for the very occasional painkiller and I hardly drink. Sex would be a vice, if I had it more often. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/37 "2004-09-03T06:29:28Z")
Psychedelic drugs. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/38 "2004-09-03T06:45:35Z")
Check my post count for one. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/39 "2004-09-03T12:31:37Z")
Doping at work (I don’t have a computer at home!) Coffee, like nearly everyone else. I quit smoking years ago, but I’ve been going through a lot of bad things lately, so on particularly bad days I have permitted myself a cigarette. The most I have had in a day has been two cigs, then I go for a few weeks before it happens again, so I think I can do it at this level as long as I keep a careful eye on it. I will drink or smoke pot on occasion, but those are rare occasions and I don’t care for either of those things much. And I have a very low threshold of tolerance, so I wind up making myself sick instead of having a good time. Good thread! ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2004, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791/40 "2004-09-03T13:05:56Z")
I have vices, but I’ve been fighting them off, one by one. **Drugs** - I got over that one once I got out of college, it was never really a big problem. **Coffee** - I used to love that jolt in the morning to get going, but I realized that I really didn’t like the taste all that much, so I quit (took a week or two to be headache free, though). I learned how to wake up without it. **Smoking** - Thank og I wasn’t as addicted as my husband is - I was able to quit without too much trouble, though it was years before I didn’t want a cigarette when I had a drink. **Drinking** - that’s a big one for me, I love the taste and feel of a good stiff bourbon and coke. I was drinking every night, and I realized that it was controlling me more than I was controlling it. Quitting was hard, and I don’t think I’m there yet. **Food** - I love good food. I still have that one. There’s a fine line between wanting something and being addicted to it. I think the line is crossed when your vice starts controlling you rather than the other way around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-vice-or-are-you-straight-as-an-arrow/262791.md?page=3)