Funny Story About Our Name: "The Dopers"

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

A couple of weekends ago, D and I met her niece, husband and some friends at a nice restaurant to celebrate her niece’s birthday. She is one of the few who understands what is going on with me and no way would I miss her birthday.

The conversation turned to income tax, and I spoke about the fact I had turned mine in just as soon as I could, and still haven’t received my refund from the state.

I told them I’d checked several times online by clicking on “Where’s my refund” and have only gotten an answer stating: “We have received your return and it is being processed…” etc.

So Dondra says, “Why don’t you ask the DOPERS, Bill?”

Well you coulda heard a pin drop as all eyes turned to D, who had turned ruby red.

I said, "Gotta go the little boys’ room. While I’m gone, honey, why don’t you explain about our friends, “The Dopers”.

I think you all already know that D is a 180 turnaround from me, has led a sheltered life, but is “coming around”. She knows we are all good people with good hearts, but I have learned to keep her away from the Pit and anything else which might make her have to confession on Sundays.:wink:

So how do y’all interpret that? She knows how good you have been to both of us, and yet she doesn’t feel “comfortable”.

I hope you don’t hold it against her. She’s a totally sweet lady and I am so lucky she took me back.

Q

2

Just trying to understand the situation, was the awkwardness because “Dopers” out of context, or the uninitiated, sounds like a group that smokes weed? Or something else she resents about the board?

3

That’s usually the case if someone walks by my computer and sees Straight Dope at the top of the screen. Normally I just try to explain what the board is about and then hit New Posts (or now, I’ll just pull up GQ) to show them the type of intelligent people we are. Of course, the last time I did that I think there was something about Marijuana which didn’t help my case…hence me now pulling up GQ instead of hitting New Posts.

A few months about I was at my parents house and browsing GB when my mom walked by and asked why I was reading a message board about Giraffes. “No ma, not about giraffes, made by giraffe” didn’t make as much sense out loud as it did in my head.

4

These are, for the most part, older folks.

In earlier times, I tried to explain: (“nothing to do with drugs”, etc) and then my pretty D tried to take over.

5

Hey you know, dope is for dopes. We kind of like the irony there.

6

And like water, we let ourselves find our own level.

I’m totally wrapped up in my family, here.

Quasi

7

I can dig it. :smiley:

8

I try to say “SDMB” or “The Straight Dope” or something like that when I’m in a public place. People will think the oddest things from what one says.

9

When meeting IRL, I like to call us The Friends Of Cecil Adams.

10

In another thread (don’t remember which one) I wrote something like “… this is the number one message board in the world.”, and someone disagreed with me.

I realize my opinion is colored by my love for this place, so I’m wondering if this isn’t the best, then which one is?

Thanks

Q