# Let me make your arbitrary decisions for you **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 5, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247 "2003-05-05T19:01:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/1 "2003-05-05T19:01:01Z")
I stink at giving at advice, but I’m excellent at making arbitrary decisions. I’m talking about decisions where the pros and cons of the alternatives seem to balance out and there’s no good reason for choosing one alternative over the other. Don’t waste your time agonizing over a thorny dilemma – let me make the decision so you can get on with your life. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/2 "2003-05-05T19:04:18Z")
The anklestraps or the boots? With jeans. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/3 "2003-05-05T19:06:00Z")
Naptime, TV time or time to write the paper (not due until midnight tomorrow)? ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/4 "2003-05-05T19:13:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\*The anklestraps or the boots? With jeans. \*\* The boots. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/5 "2003-05-05T19:15:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lsura \* > \*\*Naptime, TV time or time to write the paper (not due until midnight tomorrow)? \*\* You know quite well what the answer to this one is, young lady. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Smasho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@El\_Smasho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Smasho)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/6 "2003-05-05T19:19:30Z")
Boxers, briefs, things, or al fresco? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Smasho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@El\_Smasho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Smasho)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/7 "2003-05-05T19:19:33Z")
Boxers, briefs, thongs, or al fresco? ---
**Author:** ![Janx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/8 "2003-05-05T19:30:02Z")
Spit or swallow? And why? ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/9 "2003-05-05T19:31:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by El Smasho \* > \*\*Boxers, briefs, things, or al fresco? \*\* Briefs. I have a degree in microbiology, and I can tell you that thongs and _al fresco_ are not good ideas. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/10 "2003-05-05T19:35:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lainaf \* > \*\*You know quite well what the answer to this one is, young lady. \*\* Nap time? ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/11 "2003-05-05T19:35:55Z")
Going to the movies in a few hours. _Phone Booth_ or _Identity_? I really, really don’t care one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/12 "2003-05-05T19:42:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jackelope \* > \*\*Going to the movies in a few hours. _Phone Booth_ or _Identity_? I really, really don’t care one way or the other. \*\* _Phone Booth_. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/13 "2003-05-05T19:51:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Janx \* > \*\*Spit or swallow? And why? \*\* If it’s truly all the same to you, swallow. It will make your partner happy. This issue has been discussed at “great length” at [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=173531](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=173531) ---
**Author:** ![Wintermute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@Wintermute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wintermute)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/14 "2003-05-05T20:03:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lainaf \* > \*\*The boots. \*\* See, now, this is not an arbitrary decision. How high are the boots? How high are the ankle straps? How long are the jeans? What else are you wearing? What’s the weather like where you are? And, of course, where are you going? (Because even I think there is nothing more stupid-looking than a woman in inappropriate footwear) Normally, I don’t like ankle straps with jeans because I think it creates too many horizontal lines around your ankles and breaks up the lovely vertical line of your leg (and it’s all about line), but if the jeans are long enough, it could work. Also, it is May, and getting late in the season for heavy boots (although I am wearing a sweater today because it’s _cold_). So, the boots could be the right choice, but maybe not, depending on these other factors. Therefore, it’s definitely not an arbitrary decision, because there is one _right_ choice. We just don’t have enough information. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/15 "2003-05-05T20:19:27Z")
**Wintermute:** Here’s M-W’s definition of “arbitrary” (it was free online, so I assume it’s okay to post it): 1 : depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law \ 2 a : not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority \ b : marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of power \ 3 a : based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of something \ \ \ b : existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will \ You may question the wisdom of someone asking for my arbitrary opinion, but there’s no question that my opinions are arbitrary. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/16 "2003-05-05T20:20:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lainaf \* > \*\*You know quite well what the answer to this one is, young lady. \*\* You’re not my mother. You can’t tell me what to do. Ok, I’ll write the paper. But only because I _want_ to, not because you told me to. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/17 "2003-05-05T21:02:33Z")
Paper or plastic? ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/18 "2003-05-05T21:12:36Z")
Should I stay or should I go? ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/19 "2003-05-05T21:20:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zoid \* > \*\*Paper or plastic? \*\* Plastic. Didn’t you see “The Graduate”? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eva Luna \* > **Should I stay or should I go?** You go, girl. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/20 "2003-05-05T21:20:16Z")
Shave the beard off? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247.md?page=2)