# New to the Dope **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 24, 2025, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013 "2025-12-24T03:07:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/1 "2025-12-24T03:07:27Z")
Occasional lurker throughout the years and newly retired, I’ve decided to make the jump into joining The Straight Dope Message Board. Rather than make my presence quietly known by a comment or two on already started topics, I’ve audaciously started my own. I’ve lurked in the Cafe Society - being interested in music and literature; scanned The Game Room to see comments on the NHL and NFL; enjoyed a chuckle and outright laugh courtesy of Prof. Pepperwinkle in the MPSIMS; and am now sadly spending too much time in the Politics & Elections forum to see what further BS comes out from your country’s leadership - a country which I have spent a lifetime defending and loving and still trying my hardest to continue to do so. Feel free to ask any introductory questions. Feel free to give any posting advice. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all and I hope to Christ I’m posting this in the right forum. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/2 "2025-12-24T03:26:03Z")
> [@stopnonstop](#): > > from your country’s leadership Hi. Where are you from? I kind of like it when new people start asking questions right away, or reply with new info. to older threads. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/3 "2025-12-24T03:26:15Z")
A hearty welcome to you! I also lurked for a long time before I started to post. This is my favorite internet spot. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/4 "2025-12-24T03:27:52Z")
Welcome! No question this is still, by far, the best message board on the intertubes. You have lurked so you know. Good community. Good times! ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/5 "2025-12-24T03:28:55Z")
Hi DaveUnknown. From Canada, lived in Europe and Asia, and am now back in a different part of Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/6 "2025-12-24T03:29:39Z")
Our 51st state! 😉 (I hate that too) ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/7 "2025-12-24T03:31:16Z")
You are welcome to be our fourth territory. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/8 "2025-12-24T03:32:22Z")
These days I would actually like that. Where do we sign up? ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/9 "2025-12-24T03:33:44Z")
Chalk board is up front. Beer in the back. Sorry, no bourbon these days. ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/10 "2025-12-24T03:37:09Z")
Thanks for the welcome Ellecram. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/11 "2025-12-24T03:37:39Z")
Have you found the Canadopers thread? ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/12 "2025-12-24T03:39:12Z")
No, I haven’t needscoffee. Will look for it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/13 "2025-12-24T03:46:47Z")
Here you go: > [@Welcome to the Canadoper Café, 2025!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-the-canadoper-cafe-2025/1012410/832): > > Wine is good, but screech?? I don’t think I’ve ever had it, but it’s always been my understanding that this is the sound that a drinker makes the first time they try this Newfoundland abomination! How about Havana Club Cuban rum or Bacardi Gold instead? (The Ontario government recently decreed that Puerto Rico is not really, technically, part of the USA proper, and shouldn’t be subject to the liquor embargo, so Bacardi Gold has been back in stock for quite some time. I swear I must be the … Not sure why it links to that particular post, but that’s the thread. And welcome! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/14 "2025-12-24T03:53:11Z")
Hi there. Bad is my name Bad is my game One extra bad cause I’m so extra. Nice to meet you. Canada dopers are so nice. ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/15 "2025-12-24T03:57:34Z")
Three bads could make four. You are well known to a lurker Beckdawrek, need not say more. ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/16 "2025-12-24T03:58:57Z")
Thanks Spoons. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/17 "2025-12-24T04:17:32Z")
Welcome, enjoy the ride! ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/18 "2025-12-24T04:24:08Z")
Thanks Patx2. Makes it sound like someone is putting a tab on my tongue for the first time - ah the memories. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/19 "2025-12-24T04:55:44Z")
Welcome, @stopnonstop. You look like you’re going to do just fine here. I’m glad you felt comfortable to delurk. Sounds like you’ve already sized up most of the fora so you know where to hang out and get the most satisfaction from your time here. I think you’ve got us figured out well enough. Have fun, and let us know if you have any questions. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013/20 "2025-12-24T05:06:12Z")
Thanks Aspenglow. Would it be be fine for me to use this thread to practice things like adding pics and videos and how to quote previous posters etc.? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-to-the-dope/1026013.md?page=2)