# Old habits dying hard (...) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 4, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104 "2021-09-04T16:32:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [September 8, 2021, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/41 "2021-09-08T03:14:15Z")
I’ve been using Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength shampoo for literally decades. It’s the only shampoo that adequately controls my seborrheic dermatitis. So last week I was running low, and went to get some more. Lo and behold, H&S has completely renamed its line-up, and no more Clinical Strength. I have no idea what, if anything, of their new varieties is comparable. I bought “Instant Relief,” whatever the hell that means. Time will tell how it works. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/42 "2021-09-08T14:09:30Z")
I used to use Listerine woven floss (it looks like it was called Reach, then Gentle Gum Care). Used it for many years and loved it (I was a kid that needed braces but my parent were poor and I still need braces but I’ve learned to live with my teeth). For some reason, they stopped making it and I cannot find an alternative. I sadly switched to the standard waxed plastic style. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/43 "2021-09-08T17:58:50Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I think the trick is not to think about what you want, but rather, just look at what you can actually have “If you try sometimes, you just might find…” ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/44 "2021-09-08T23:13:40Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > These are habits that will only die if all the relevant companies go out of business or something. So much this. I have my favorites for a reason, dammit. My favorite orange pekoe tea is no longer available so I have to find one from a newer estate owner that I trust to treat its employees well AND produce a fine tea. I’m very picky. I have learned that if I love a clothing item a lot and can afford it, I should buy another (if it is still available). I recently had two pair of birkies resoled and recorked. They asked if I was sure because the cost exceeded the original shoes, but the styles have been discontinued so it’s very worth the expense for me. I did swap junk chips for air-popped popcorn, but that’s not a big improvement. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/45 "2021-09-09T04:54:29Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > I have learned that if I love a clothing item a lot and can afford it, I should buy another (if it is still available). I’ve learned exactly the same thing. Especially shoes. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/46 "2021-09-09T06:32:18Z")
**Improvise, adapt and overcome.** I’m telling you, I’ve learned a lot from Clint Eastwood films. What to do and what **not** to do. When I settle into a new habit, I always say to myself (through gritted teeth), _“Just because we’re getting cozy here doesn’t mean we’re going to take long, hot showers together.”_ 😬 Seriously now, as much as I love clinging to comfy habits and favorite things, there’s a great sense of satisfaction that comes from discarding them. If happiness is a state of mind, embracing change is as important as proper diet and exercise. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/47 "2021-09-09T23:26:37Z")
> [@alovem](#): > > If happiness is a state of mind, embracing change is as important as proper diet and exercise. Indeed, even though they say the only two things that don’t change are death and taxes, the manner in which they are applied change constantly. Embracing change is how I make my living. I can’t possibly keep up with the speed of how things change today so I make my choices to keep up with work changes and some technology changes and try not to worry about the rest. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/48 "2021-09-10T04:17:21Z")
Yeah it ain’t. That’s actually my plan, quit coffee altogether, but I’ve been drinking it for nigh on 40 years now, soooo, I’m trying not to torture myself. I have worse vices and I figure get the easy stuff out of the way first, without unduly hurting myself. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/49 "2021-09-10T23:25:22Z")
> [@DorkVader](#): > > , but I’ve been drinking it for nigh on 40 years now, soooo, I’m trying not to torture m I’m trying to quit diet soda and not having luck. I’ve been trying for years and years, but I like the caffeine, the carbonation, and the flavor. My biggest problem as the alternatives are often full of sugar, take too long to brew (I love certain teas), or are crappy tasting. I do drink lots of water. So now I’m trying brewed cacao. It doesn’t have much caffeine and no sugar but, like tea, it takes a few minutes to brew. But it is delicious. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/50 "2021-09-11T02:04:36Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > So now I’m trying brewed cacao. I’ve heard of ancient american people drinking a beverage made from cacao, but no modern day tales. How is it made? Drip brewed like coffee, steeped like tea? Something else? I’m curious, and perhaps one day I may seek this out to at least try. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/51 "2021-09-11T05:02:44Z")
I use a brand named Choffy; you can find it on Amazon. It is delicious! ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/52 "2021-09-11T16:25:52Z")
> [@DorkVader](#): > > I’ve heard of ancient american people drinking a beverage made from cacao, but no modern day tales. > How is it made? Pretty much [like we would](https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/history-of-chocolate1.htm) but with peppers and no sugar… > The Mayans consumed chocolate by first harvesting the seeds – or beans – from cacao trees. They fermented and dried them, roasted them, removed their shells, and ground them into paste. (Much of that process remains unchanged to this day.) They often combined this paste with water, cornmeal, chili peppers, and other spices, then poured the spicy, bitter mixture back and forth between two containers to create a frothy head (a very popular feature). ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2021, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/53 "2021-09-11T22:22:30Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Pretty much [like we would](https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/history-of-chocolate1.htm) but with peppers and no sugar… There’s lots of different ways to make it just like with other food items. I started with steeping in a French Press and added a bit of cream once it is poured into a cup. Like hot chocolate without the sweet. I’ve added a touch of chili powder and some cassia cinnamon, which is also delicious. I’m also looking at doing some dessert-y type things with it because I don’t know how to leave well enough alone in the kitchen. Mad food science. 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/54 "2021-09-17T15:36:07Z")
Whenever I read this, I wonder how and why they decided, let’s harvest these tree beans, ferment and dry them, roast them, remove their shells, grind them into paste and mix it with water and stuff…seems so…complicated. I mean, I’m glad they did this, but just looking at raw cacao beans (pretty icky looking IMO) and deciding to do all that stuff? Why? ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/55 "2021-09-17T19:01:16Z")
I think it often has to do with the ingredients being available in abundance where the products are made. Maybe the ingredients are used for a non-food purpose, and, when they’re stockpiled and/or partially processed, someone discovers a way to use them for food. I’ve never even seen cocoa beans, but I imagine that they smell good (?), which would be enough incentive for someone to figure out how to make them edible. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/56 "2021-09-17T19:44:48Z")
lol sounds like they almost drank mole sauce …thank god someone figured out how to add sugar and milk ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/57 "2021-09-17T23:11:37Z")
Nicotine. I saw an ad on TV a few years back where a young guy goes to pay for a pack of cigs, and instead of just paying the money he has to pull out one of his teeth. That might have impacted me more when I took up the habit. But also, erectile dysfunction. FTR I did try vaping. Yeah, no. I have a very definite preference for Diet Coke. I’ve tried different store brand knock offs, but nah…nothing else satisfies. Coke Zero comes close. Mrs. L brought home the Wally copy of Zero, and it wasn’t bad. Hmm, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2021, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/58 "2021-09-18T03:35:53Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > thank god someone figured out how to add sugar and milk I have said changing from peppers to sugar is about the only good thing Spain did in the New World. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/59 "2021-09-18T04:16:45Z")
I first heard about a brand called Crio Bru here on the Dope. Me: There was a specific blend of tea from Teavana that I loved. I’d splurge on some, and eke it out as long as I could. Then the chain closed. I bought a big tin of it as they were winding down, and hoarded it… and while I still have a lot left, I don’t know that it’s still any good (2-3 years now). I’m actually fine with regular brewed iced tea (when I bother) or Constant Comment (ditto) but the stuff from Teavana was always just a bit better. On the braided belts: best purchase from something like LL Bean, where you can be guaranteed to get something that is, in fact, leather. Too many reviews of belts on Amazon that are touted as leather, and turn out to NOT be so. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2021, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104/60 "2021-09-18T12:46:02Z")
I’m still addicted to old cartoons. They were a mainstay on Saturday mornings and on school afternoons in the 60s. During the 70s through the early 2000s, I didn’t see any at all. Then youtube came along, as well as other video websites. Now I have them all at my fingertips! There’s not a day that I don’t watch a Loony Tunes, a Fleischer, or a Terrytoons cartoon. I even got my husband hooked on Heckle & Jeckle 'toons. A 65 year old woman watching 'toons every day. Sheesh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-habits-dying-hard/950104.md?page=4)