# Odd little habits you have **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 9, 2000, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239 "2000-10-09T07:41:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2000, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/141 "2000-10-24T02:11:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zebra \* > \*\*During a routine Doctor visit my doc asked me what my stools looked like and I replied “I don’t look at them!”. Then I realised that I don’t look. EVER. > \*\* now THAT’S strange! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![L714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dec6dc/32.png) [@L714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/L714)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2000, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/142 "2000-10-25T13:01:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by They Call Me Sneeze \* > **i buy things so they won’t be lonely.** I do this too. Once bought a cracked figurine of a bunny all dressed up and pretending to lead an orchestra with a wand, because I knew if I didn’t buy him, the store people would just throw him into the trash. The thought was just too sad for me. You know they didn’t even offer me a discount on the broken item! Yet somehow I felt obligated to save him. I often sense thhings want to come home with me. Pretty sure that’s how my husband made it through my door. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2000, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/143 "2000-10-25T21:02:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sn-man \* > \*\*For as long as I can remember, I’ve blown my nose when showering. I never thought anything of it. Mrs. Tinny thinks it’s gross. She refuses to shower with me if I do it. So I’ve had to make a conscious effort to not do it when “we” get wet. \*\* That’s strange, Mrs. Tinny doesn’t mind showering with me, no matter what else I do in the shower. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/144 "2000-10-25T21:21:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mega the roo \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > What does it mean to be fair to burger patties? > > Well you see, I work at Burger King and whenever I have to send product I face some issues. > > Lots of times the patties will be stuck together in fives, and the problem with this is that I can only put four in a row, and the last thing I want to do is exclude one from it’s friends. > > And although I haven’t decided if they actually _like_ going through the broiler or not, this is a SERIOUS dilemma. > > I also try to send all the loose ones together, because I feel bad that they were left out of the little groups, and this way they have someone to go on the trip with. I also do this before sending the clumpy ones. It’s bad enough that they’re all alone in there, that I don’t think they need to wait until the end while the popular patties go first. > > I have problems with the buns, as well. I always have to take them out in some form of a pattern, and I absolutely refuse to leave one in the corner by itself. > > Then I have pickle issues. I have a hard time using the ones with three holes in them (a.k.a. Man Pickles), because they more often than not, look like they’re screaming… and I KNOW that it’s because they see the ketchup bottle in my hand, coming to smother them. > > So sometimes to deal with this I will either make a smiley face with the ketcup, or just save the Man Pickle from it’s misery. In the latter case I would say, “Look! A man pickle!” And it would be thrown in my face. > > I’m beginning to experience problems with spec. product, as well. But I will save that for another day. \*\* Aren’t you glad you asked? ---
**Author:** ![tsarina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/145 "2000-10-26T00:18:50Z")
Jesus , I have a thousand of them, but here’s the good ones: - I constantly bite the inside of my cheeks.I have never met anyone who does this, and sometimes I get such bad sores there that I can’t brush my teeth for a few days (yeck). Still, I continue doing it. - I shake pop cans before opening them. When I was a kid, I used to do this to scare people, and now I do it unconsciously. - I cannot have the seam of my socks touching my toes. - I cannot stand to have my hair touching a certain spot on my neck under my ear. - I can’t stand to have water dripping from my hair after I shower. I wring my hair like mad to avoid this. - I count things as they pass, and I like them to be in multiples of tens (but fives will do). Once I hit ten, I’ll look away so I don’t screw up my perfect-ten count! - If I do something with my left side, I have to do it with my right side as well. And it has to end on my right side, or I go nuts. - I find long strings of digits and add the numbers together to see if it’s divisible by three. - I sometimes translate my thoughts into German after I think them. Ach du lieber! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/146 "2000-10-26T00:43:47Z")
Wow, I don’t feel so lonely now! So many of you have the same weird habits as I do! I just thought other odd quirks: I like the feeling of my skin being cut. Not accidentally cut, but cut by my own hand. I know I used to cut myself because I was upset, but nowadays I do this even when I’m in a good mood. I just like the feeling of a wire slicing across the skin, it welling up, maybe bleeding a tiny bit but never enough for it to make much of a difference. The sting feels nice, too. People think I’m odd and I know Mom would have me put in a loony bin if she ever saw what I’ve been doing to my arm… I like to mutter “How odd” at intervals. I hiss at people for no apparent reason and hold my hand up, claw-like, like I’m going to claw someone. ---
**Author:** ![barflyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@barflyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barflyer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/147 "2000-10-26T03:48:43Z")
I always tip with the quarters face up, facing the bartender. Don’t know why, just seems normal, like stacking cans in your cupboard so the names face front. ---
**Author:** ![Fairy\_Princess\_Kitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fairy\_Princess\_Kitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fairy_Princess_Kitty)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/148 "2000-10-26T04:39:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Welfy \* > \*\*I hiss at people for no apparent reason and hold my hand up, claw-like, like I’m going to claw someone. \*\* I do that but usually playfully _miiieeeooow hissssss claw claw_ _innocent look_ what? Kitty ---
**Author:** ![mega\_the\_roo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@mega\_the\_roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mega_the_roo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/149 "2000-10-26T06:10:24Z")
I remembered yet, some more: When driving down the highway, I lift my bum up when I go over patches on the road. Actually, it’s more of a rocking… first the front, then the back, etc. etc. etc. I have to open my window a crack while crossing a certain bridge in the city. I’d like to get out if the bridge breaks, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/150 "2000-10-26T07:42:52Z")
I pull at the hairs in my beard. Not pulling hard, mind you, but every once in a while one comes out and I stop. For a couple of minutes. Then I start again. Drives my wife nuts… ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/151 "2000-10-26T17:58:04Z")
I eat paper. Looseleaf, tissues, and printer paper. With no ink on it of course. Usually I do it without even realizing it. All of my notebooks have the corners torn off, or the paper ripped around the stuff I wrote in it. Been doing it since I was like 3 (I’m 23 now). Doctor says it’s probably some sort of deficiency. It keeps me regular though :). ---
**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/152 "2000-10-26T18:32:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c\_goat \* > \*\*I eat paper. > > Looseleaf, tissues, and printer paper. With no ink on it of course. Usually I do it without even realizing it. All of my notebooks have the corners torn off, or the paper ripped around the stuff I wrote in it. Been doing it since I was like 3 (I’m 23 now). Doctor says it’s probably some sort of deficiency. It keeps me regular though :). \*\* Quasi-hijack here. I used to do this occasionally too. In fact, in Jr. High we had some event where each class would challenge the others to some bizarre feat. Our challenge was a toilet paper eating race (unused, naturally). 15 sheets of toilet paper. I won. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/153 "2000-10-26T18:59:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fairy Princess Kitty \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Welfy \* > > \*\*I hiss at people for no apparent reason and hold my hand up, claw-like, like I’m going to claw someone. \*\* > > I do that but usually playfully > _miiieeeooow hissssss claw claw_ > _innocent look_ what? > > Kitty \*\* My 13 year old daughter’s friend occasionally does this if she is PO’d at something. Perfect imitation of a cat. “HISSSSS!!!” The sound is scarier than hell. ---
**Author:** ![Tommy\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Tommy\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tommy_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/154 "2000-10-26T19:04:40Z")
When I’m walking on a tiled floor, I’ll pay close attention to make sure that I only step in the tile. I have to make myself look up and make a concious effort to break the pattern. Screwy, huh? ---
**Author:** ![annalamerino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@annalamerino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annalamerino)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/155 "2000-10-26T19:48:27Z")
I always unplug things that have on/off switches, like irons and toasters and coffee pots and stereos. Had a TV start smoking out the vents on me when it was “off”, and it made quite an impression. Apparently they are OFF only until the switch fails, and they tell me none are going to last forever. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/156 "2000-10-26T22:43:48Z")
You people are really strange. Not like me… I talk to the computer, but it is not a bad habit because people leave me alone when I am working. I curse, coax, instruct, and rebuke the computer to get it to do what I want. A good smack to the monitor helps as well. When I walk into the building I work in, I MUST step exactly once on every concrete square. When I am going out of the house to go to work, I have a competition. I see if I can lock the back door, throw my briefcase onto the seat next to me, and get the car door closed BEFORE THE GARAGE DOOR IS FINISHED OPENING. If I can do this, I have won for the day. If I am not parked too close to the trash can, I can make it 67% of the time. My next goal is to get my seat belt fastened as well. I listen to talk radio in the car and talk back to the callers. I worry that I am using one hand more than the other. Sometimes I brush my teeth left-handed to try to balance the load. I spend a lot of energy on things that nobody else worries about. Except SDMB’ers. ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/157 "2000-10-26T23:32:47Z")
_whisper_ Sometimes I don’t eat entire candy bars. ---
**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/158 "2000-10-27T00:43:46Z")
welfy, as long as you’re not saving the candy bar butts in a can under your bed, I wouldn’t be too concerned. jb ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/159 "2000-10-27T14:11:38Z")
Laundry must be washed in the correct order, separated properly, and undergarments and socks are ALWAYS washed last. Once dried, each item must be hung or folded in the proper manner. This drive my hubby crazy - if he tries to help, I wind up refolding T-shirts and towels. You’d think after 17 years he’d learn!! Ice cream is eaten so that the goodies - nuts, chocolate chunks, bits of candies, whatever - are saved for last. I won’t even try to explain the arrangement of desktop icons or the ordering of bookmarks. You’d just mock me… ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2000, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239/160 "2000-10-27T16:03:37Z")
1. I must always read in bed for at least half an hour before going to sleep. If I do not read a book for that time, it will take me _forever_ to get to sleep. The habit has become so ingrained in me that if I were to read while lying down on the couch during the day, I start getting very sleepy. 2. All the bills in my wallet must be arranged in order of denomination, with the lowest denomination being the “facing out” one when you open the wallet. They also must be arranged all facing in the same direction, same side up. 3. No matter where I sleep, if there’s a closet door, it must be shut. The reasons I have for this are too weird to explain. 4. I don’t like tomatoes. I will pick them out of any hamburger or salad before eating. 5. I have a habit of flipping pens in the air and catching them. I’ve done this for years. 6. I can’t stand to be late for anything. I would rather show up twenty minutes early than be five minutes late. 7. On my bookshelf, I have my non-fiction books grouped not by author, but by subject (science, history, sports, etc). 8. Even though I’m aware that the practice was dissed in **Pulp Fiction** , I dip my french fries in mayonnaise. I think ketchup is a nasty thing to put on french fries. 9. I never turn the heat on in my bedroom. Ever. As for the rest of the apartment, I only turn the heat on the living room, and only when the temperature inside drops below 60 degrees Farenheit. I live in in the Portland, Oregon metro area…this morning the temperature in my apartment was 62 degrees. That’s all I can think of for now… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-little-habits-you-have/36239.md?page=9)