# Low effort ways to improve things **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751 "2013-01-29T23:14:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/21 "2013-01-30T05:44:30Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > 65% of the time when I am touching someone they are a woman because men are less touchy and also more in tune with my boorishness. Ok, let me try to decipher this… Because women _aren’t_ as in tune with your boorishness as men, a larger percentage of the random touching you engage in with people of the general public are women; and this is because you feel that this touching will allow these women to become more in tune with your boorishness? So the women that you touch will be able to realize what a pig you are? And how did you come by this statistic? Anal research? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/22 "2013-01-30T08:15:58Z")
Touching complete strangers is a _terrible_ idea. They may react very negatively. **I** would react very negatively. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/23 "2013-01-30T09:11:51Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > While you’re at it, offer to take the empty cart back from the lady who’s trying to strap her kid into the car seat. I did this the other day. I was walking through the car park carrying one bag. A young woman finished loading her van and closed the back door just as I walked past. I grabbed her cart saying, “I’m parked down where this goes.” She was demonstrably thankful. It’s all in the mindset. Without trying hard you can spot opportunities to do a free good deed every day. But you don’t have to try hard to find reasons to bitch and moan and make the lives of others more miserable. But you do have to be looking for them. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/24 "2013-01-30T10:38:21Z")
When I wash my hands in a public bathroom that has paper towels, I dry my hands and then use the paper towel to quickly wipe the counter and sink before I toss the paper towel. It’s really a very little, low effort thing. But it makes the place look so much nicer, and it makes me feel like I’ve fought entropy just a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/25 "2013-01-30T10:51:50Z")
Random, anonymous acts of kindness can really make you feel like a queen. (or king). Long conversations with old folk. I never walk away without having learned something. > [@Ethilrist](#): > > Only in my nightmares would I intentionally touch a female co-worker, outside of an emergency. In your \*wet \*nightmares? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/26 "2013-01-30T11:02:59Z")
The touching thing; you can really only get away with that if you’re a woman. Even if you mean well. Sorry, but that is how it is. Mine: take one of those thing plastic grocery bags with you when you go out for a walk. If you see litter, plastic, cans, put them in and take them to the nearest trash can. Not only do you make the place look neat, you also prevent others to throw garbage out (garbage attracts garbage) and, you prevent plastic shards and shreds from ending up in the water, where they [end up choking animals.](http://isearch.avg.com/images?s=sideNav&cid=%7b87C2FC1E-16B8-4969-A73F-223EF76D080C%7d&mid=c2b971e0378247d69b15d1191024e9fb-cc21612f095ee8bdba5fc20b3a284f5488dc7af0&lang=nl&ds=AVG&pr=pr&d=2012-12-16+21%3a59%3a04&v=13.3.0.17&sap=dsp&q=plastic+stomach+animals&tc=test3) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/27 "2013-01-30T17:28:03Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > … Long conversations with old folk. I never walk away without having learned something. … I have learned how to increase my tolerance for long pointless conversations. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/28 "2013-01-30T17:37:32Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I have learned how to increase my tolerance for long pointless conversations. Crack jokes if you want, but you will thank me when you start noticing your name turning up in people’s will. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/29 "2013-01-30T17:41:52Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Get more sleep. > Recycle. > Buy local, if possible. > Buy your own ingredients, cook your own food. > Exercise. > Find some time each day to do something fun, just for yourself. All good, except why "cook your own food? ". Something wrong with restaurants or having a chef? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/30 "2013-01-30T18:03:48Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Crack jokes if you want What’s the difference between a crackhead and an alcoholic? An alcoholic will steal your keys… A crackhead will steal your keys and help you look for them. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/31 "2013-01-30T18:52:49Z")
Pick up trash in your neighborhood. Look people in the eye and say “please” and “thank you”, and mean it. Don’t be an ass while behind the wheel - let people merge in front of you, don’t cut people off, use your turn signal. If you see something wrong being done by another, don’t be a bystander, step-in and help correct the issue. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/32 "2013-01-30T19:05:33Z")
Touching people without definite evidence it is desired is definitely NOT improving the world. Please keep your hands to yourself! ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/33 "2013-01-30T19:09:18Z")
Laugh at people’s jokes. Even if they aren’t that funny. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/34 "2013-01-30T19:47:26Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > What’s the difference between a crackhead and an alcoholic? > > An alcoholic will steal your keys… A crackhead will steal your keys and help you look for them. …And then ask for money for helping look. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/35 "2013-01-30T23:33:33Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Ok, let me try to decipher this… > > Because women _aren’t_ as in tune with your boorishness as men, a larger percentage of the random touching you engage in with people of the general public are women; and this is because you feel that this touching will allow these women to become more in tune with your boorishness? So the women that you touch will be able to realize what a pig you are? > > And how did you come by this statistic? Anal research? Nah, what I meant is that it is generally more acceptable for me to behave in a boorish way around men, there are few (non-antipodean) women indeed who appreciate it (or at least when they are sober). Interesting you use the pig word, I actually hadn’t realised that boorish was derived from pig but suddenly now you mention it it makes perfect sense! ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/36 "2013-01-31T01:22:46Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > …65% of the time when I am touching someone they are a woman because men are less touchy and also more in tune with my boorishness (which negates the need for the “softly softly” approach)… He thinks touching women while behaving boorishly somehow negates the boorishness! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/37 "2013-01-31T08:32:43Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > ETA: I just had to say something here about the “touching a person on the upper arm” thing. WTF? > [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > It’s no big deal, you just have to be not compeltely socially inept. I am quite socially inept but not enough I would touch someone who would be uncomfortable with this and also 65% of the time when I am touching someone they are a woman because men are less touchy and also more in tune with my boorishness (which negates the need for the “softly softly” approach). Over all it is a great thing to do if you are reasonably sensible. People like it for connection purposes. Yeah, it’s a bit weird. The more ‘touchy-feely’ a person you are (that is, the more likely you are to be touching people), the less sensitive/perceptive you’re likely to be to those cases who _really don’t want you touching them_. I like the whole ‘be nice’ thing, and personally, I can tolerate a moderate level of touchy-ness and personal space invasion, but it’s a bit weird, and often has the opposite effect to what you intend. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/38 "2013-01-31T12:16:24Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > Nah, what I meant is that it is generally more acceptable for me to behave in a boorish way around men, there are few (non-antipodean) women indeed who appreciate it (or at least when they are sober). > > Interesting you use the pig word, I actually hadn’t realised that boorish was derived from pig but suddenly now you mention it it makes perfect sense! It makes sense, but it’s wrong - [it’s actually from the Latin for cow](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=boor&allowed_in_frame=0) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/39 "2013-01-31T12:25:53Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > Please share some tips of low effort ways to improve the world. > > My “tip” - and it is really just common sense - is to be extra nice to people, to compliment them when they barely deserve it, \*\*and to touch anyone who isn’t overly gruff on their upper arm, when appropriate. \*\* > > . I agree with everything except the part I bolded. Unless you are a very close, long term friend of mine or my family - don’t touch me please. It won’t endear you to me, it won’t comfort me, it makes me cringe. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751/40 "2013-01-31T16:10:25Z")
Gee, I was thinking of a law that makes any elected official taking money or perks automatically loses their salary and pension. No elected official gets over $100,000 for a pension? Make it only legal for native Indians to sell marijuana. We do kinda owe them, and this way they get a little prosperity. But acts of kindness are always good too! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-effort-ways-to-improve-things/648751.md?page=3)