# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Ender\_Will](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ender\_Will](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ender_Will)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/41 "2003-05-06T05:12:48Z")
Should I shave the goatee? Should I listen to _Live aus Berlin_ or _Sehnsucht_? ---
**Author:** ![KeithT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KeithT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithT)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/42 "2003-05-06T07:26:33Z")
SARS or syphilis? ---
**Author:** ![brainfizz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/da6949/32.png) [@brainfizz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainfizz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/43 "2003-05-06T10:55:33Z")
Chinese food or chicken burger for lunch today? ---
**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 6, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/44 "2003-05-06T12:21:50Z")
DISCLAIMER: While I try to provide timely responses to these pressing problems, sometimes it just doesn’t happen (like while I’m sleeping). I apologize to anyone whose life was adversely affected by my failure to communicate this earlier. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfbabe \* > \*\*Kelly green or olive green? \*\* Kelly green, of couse. And you call yourself an elf. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Super Gnat \* > **Lab report or two page paper?** Lab report. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BadBaby \* > **Cook a healthy dinner or more candy?** Mmmmm, candy. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kat \* > **Should I go to bed at a reasonable hour, or stay up reading the SDMB?** If you stayed up waiting for my response last night, the decision was pretty much made for you. For the future, try to avoid doing anything that includes the word “reasonable”. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jweb \* > **When I fall asleep watching TV tonight, should I be tuned to the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, or TLC?** If you’re still up waiting for my answer, you should now fall asleep at work. ---
**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 6, 2003, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/45 "2003-05-06T12:54:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Goofus \* > \*\*Six of one or a half dozen of the other? \*\* Half a dozen of the other, definitely. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KCSuze \* > \*\*Should I have that glass of chocolate milk now, or save it for later? \*\* Again, I apologize for the delay in my answer. You should’ve had it then, but if it’s still sitting out, throw it away. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Ender\_Will_ > **Should I shave the goatee?** > –\> No, it makes you look very distinguished and literate. > **Should I listen to Live aus Berlin or Sehnsucht?** > –\> Both, in that order. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KeithT \* > \*\*SARS or syphilis? \*\* Not arbitrary. SARS can kill you, and there is no known cure. Syphilis is easily treatable. Also, you’ll have more fun getting syphilis. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by brainfizz_ > \*\*Chinese food or chicken burger for lunch today? \*\* Chinese food. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![Wintermute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@Wintermute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wintermute)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/46 "2003-05-06T14:41:04Z")
Actually, the arbitrary nature of your judgement was not in question. I was challenging the arbitrary nature of the question, as there established rules about how to dress fashionably. I would point you to Susannah and Trinny of _What Not to Wear_, but it could be argued that their rules are just as arbitrary as yours. So I won’t. I will however, say that if you chose your clothes arbitrarily, you probably don’t look good. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/47 "2003-05-06T14:49:32Z")
Scylla or Charybdis? ---
**Author:** ![mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmm.forbidden_doughnut)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/48 "2003-05-06T15:09:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\*Scylla or Charybdis? \*\* If I may: Scylla. He’s a hoot! ---
**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 6, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/49 "2003-05-06T15:21:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mmm… forbidden doughnut \* > \*\*If I may: Scylla. He’s a hoot! \*\* Feel free to jump right in (especially if you have a cool user name and have basically been lurking for 2 years). The beauty of the truly arbitrary decision is that one person’s is as good as another’s. ---
**Author:** ![mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmm.forbidden_doughnut)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/50 "2003-05-06T15:45:06Z")
lainaf, I can’t tell if you’re truly being amiable and conciliatory or if you’re telling me to butt the hell out. I apologize if I’ve stepped on toes. 😕 ---
**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 6, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/51 "2003-05-06T16:20:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mmm… forbidden doughnut \* > \*\*lainaf, I can’t tell if you’re truly being amiable and conciliatory or if you’re telling me to butt the hell out. I apologize if I’ve stepped on toes. 😕 \*\* How could I have been any nicer about it? Seriously, was my reply (unintentionally) snarky in any way? ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/52 "2003-05-06T16:33:45Z")
Not to my eye. This thread is wonderful. How much time in my life have I spent agonizing over truly meaningless decisions. What a relief. **lainaf** , I would also like to know what to eat for my mid-morning meal. Egg rolls or corndog and fries? ---
**Author:** ![mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmm.forbidden_doughnut)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/53 "2003-05-06T16:39:20Z")
No, no, no. I apologize. You have to understand…I teach highschoolers and am used to sarcasm. I must have inserted a sarcastic voice, myself. I am just too accostomed to snarkiness IRL. Again, my profound apologies. That’s the pitfall of a written medium. Again, so so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/54 "2003-05-06T16:41:17Z")
In **lainaf** ’s place, I arbitrarily forgive you. I’m really hurting for an answer here. I’m flip-flopping like mad and it’s driving me nuts. Anybody? ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/55 "2003-05-06T16:51:13Z")
Egg rolls and fries. Can’t get much better than that. ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/56 "2003-05-06T17:49:22Z")
Wow, egg rolls and fries sounds like a little greasy piece of heaven, right now. Wish I hadn’t missed lunch… Should I visit my parents over Memorial Day weekend, or Columbus Day weekend (they live 9 hours away)? ---
**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 6, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/57 "2003-05-06T18:30:11Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > \*\*Wow, egg rolls and fries sounds like a little greasy piece of heaven, right now. Wish I hadn’t missed lunch… > > Should I visit my parents over Memorial Day weekend, or Columbus Day weekend (they live 9 hours away)? \*\* Go see the folks on Columbus Day. On Memorial Day, go ride a roller coaster. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/58 "2003-05-06T18:56:03Z")
Egg rolls and fries. You were right! ---
**Author:** ![Marine\_One](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marine_one/32/3461_2.png) [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/59 "2003-05-06T20:49:19Z")
Bowcaster or laser-carbine? Both are priced the same… ---
**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 6, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247/60 "2003-05-06T21:50:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marine\_One \* > \*\*Bowcaster or laser-carbine? > > Both are priced the same… \*\* If you are a Wookie, the Bowcaster; otherwise, go with the laser-carbine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-make-your-arbitrary-decisions-for-you/173247.md?page=4)