# Things Everyone Should Know
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [August 5, 2004, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441 "2004-08-05T13:29:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/41 "2004-08-06T10:46:23Z")
> [@Turkey Curse](#):
>
> Better yet, you’re lucky you have the luxury of having someone prepare your food for you and bring it out to you. So if you aren’t allergic to it, cram it into your pie-hole so I don’t have to listen to you.
While I don’t agree with being rude the the waitstaff, luck has nothing to do with it. I paid for that meal. And, apparantly, the ambiance provided.
Course, you may be working at one of the free Hare Krishna kitchens in which case you’re totally right and I dig your robes!
---
### Author:  [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/42 "2004-08-06T11:17:41Z")
> [@ElectricZ](#):
>
> Wrong. If everybody moves over BEFORE the lane ends, traffic can flow through the bottleneck without stopping. It may be slower because of the construction or narrow lanes or whatever, but it will keep going. Or it WILL keep going until said dumbass zips around to the empty lane, speeds up to the bottneck and forces his way into the line at the front. What happens? The guy behind has to hit the brakes, causing a nifty little ripple of slowdowns and stops down the whole line. This slows traffic down further, making more people try the “faster” lane because they’re in much more of a hurry than all those “dumb” people waiting in line, until everybody just stops and waits for people to let them in.
>
> Of course, the whole “keep one lane moving” concept only works if everybody cooperates. But every day on the highway, the prisoner takes this dilemma for a ride and everybody seems to loose.
Precisely. Also, have you ever noticed the behavior or semi drivers in these situations? They hang back and block traffic behind them, forcing people to merge before the construction point. The reason why they do this is that they have a lot more traffic experience than most people and they know that the smart thing, the thing that keeps traffic moving, is if everyone merges before the construction site.
It is not smarter to merge at the construction site. It is far more dangerous and slows everyone down.
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### Author:  [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/43 "2004-08-06T11:40:29Z")
> [@MaddyStrut](#):
>
> How to address, interpret and respond to printed invitations (this includes knowing who’s invited, what the dress code lingo means, and the difference between RSVP and “regrets only”).
And another corrollary:
Upon receiving a wedding invitation, knowing how to respond when it _doesn’t_ come with one of those pre-printed response cards.
**TJDude** , seeing eye dogs always have a different type of harness on, one that a non-working dog would never wear. It has a hard handle that comes up and across on each side of of the dog’s shoulders that the blind person will be holding. Some wear little vests (not the right word, I know) that identify them as guide dogs.
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### Author:  [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/44 "2004-08-06T14:59:34Z")
> [@Rick](#):
>
> Were are interstates 1, 2 and 3?
Interstates 1, 2, and 3 are in Hawaii. There are actually a fair number of Interstates that are contained in a single state, but are still part of the Interstate Highway System.
I said it was good to know, not that it necessarily made sense!
(And yeah, I should have just said it started in the West, not on the West Coast.)
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### Author:  [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/45 "2004-08-06T15:47:26Z")
- How to make a birthday cake (okay, it doesn’t have to be from scratch, that’s just bonus points in life)
- How to put toghter furniture if it comes with instructions
- How program simple electronic, as my mother still can’t use the CD player we’ve had since before I was born
- How to behave in a polite if not correct form at religious ceremonies that you’ve been invited to
- How to swim
- How to help in an emergency, which might mean doing something and might mean getting the hell out of the way
- How to read a map (knowing how to fold it is also a plus)
- A general point for life, knowing who you can trust to be alone with and who you should leave at least the door open with when they are around
Oh, I like the one about potlucks, my dish is homemade mac and cheese or peach pie, in season, not that I go to potlucks, really
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### Author:  [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/46 "2004-08-06T15:55:51Z")
> [@Silentgoldfish](#):
>
> While I don’t agree with being rude the the waitstaff, luck has nothing to do with it. I paid for that meal. And, apparantly, the ambiance provided.
>
> Course, you may be working at one of the free Hare Krishna kitchens in which case you’re totally right and I dig your robes!
Well, I see your point. I realized after I wrote it that buying it ain’t exactly a luxury…but I still think that a guy is lucky to live somewhere you can go and pay a little extra and have it all done for you. If we’re not careful, we could end up with the Third World thread coming up…
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### Author:  [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/47 "2004-08-06T16:32:08Z")
Another thing I forgot to mention. When you ask someone what their major is and they reply X, do NOT say “I always hated X.” I’m a little tired of people doing that to me.
Chem majors unite!
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### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/48 "2004-08-06T16:42:39Z")
> [@Lsura](#):
>
> I admit that I’ve never noticed this. Is it just a Florida thing? I mean, I’ll watch the next time I’m on the interstate, but it took me a couple of reads to even figure out what you were talking about. But then, there are only 2 left exits in my area.
No, it’s nationwide. I used it up in SC to find an exit. (Didn’t stop me from missing it though, but at least I could point to it and say, “That’s our exit” as we drove by it.)
Sorry for the confusion. Basically, if an exit says “Main Street, one mile” and the little sign up on top says “Exit 12”, whatever side of the Main Street sign that the exit number side is on is the side of the road that the exit is on.
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### Author:  [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/49 "2004-08-06T17:02:33Z")
> [@gfloyd](#):
>
> Another thing I forgot to mention. When you ask someone what their major is and they reply X, do NOT say “I always hated X.” I’m a little tired of people doing that to me.
>
> Chem majors unite!
Before I decided to get into graphic design/art and I was taking basic classes, people would ask me what I liked to study. I would say history. . “Really? Ugh, I hate history! I’ve never found it interesting. It’s so boring!”
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### Author:  [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/50 "2004-08-06T17:17:11Z")
If you are parking in the hospital’s lot, _and if you’re able-bodied,_ park on the far side of the lot. A lot of folks coming to the hospital are hurt, sick, or disabled; let them have the close spots.
Everything governmental or medical _will_ involve waiting. Take along a book or something to pass the time.
Taking a flash picture of something more than 20 feet away is a waste of time and film.
Learn where the corners of your car are. Parking by ear is never a good idea. :mad:
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### Author:  [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/51 "2004-08-06T17:30:17Z")
I’m going to take a chance and go on the chivalry bent:
-Open doors for ladies. This includes car doors as well as regular doors.
-Pull out your wife’s/date’s/mother’s chair. No, not out from under her.
-Know how to order dinner for the both of you. Don’t assume what she wants. Find out, and order.
-Stand up when a lady comes to or leaves the table. Does not include the waitress.
-Always give up your seat to a lady.
-Help a lady to take off and put on her coat.
And for the ladies:
-Know how to accept the above for the well intentioned and respectful gestures they are. (Woman who yelled “I can open my own fucking door, thank you!”, I’m talking to you…)
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### Author:  [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/52 "2004-08-06T18:58:54Z")
> [@AskNott](#):
>
> Everything governmental or medical _will_ involve waiting. Take along a book or something to pass the time.
Amen. Also on planes, trains, and automobiles. Anybody who doesn’t bring _anything_ to do on a plane ride is an idiot.
-Corollary: don’t assume that a person reading a book is only doing it to get your attention.
-I’m guilty of waiting way too long to learn this, but everybody who drives should know how to parallel park a car.
-Know how to give directions to where you live.
-Know where the nearest hospital is to your house, and how to get there.
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### Author:  [@Spurious\_George](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spurious_George)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/53 "2004-08-06T20:15:41Z")
> [@bughunter](#):
>
> Half the people expect the previous users to extend a courtesy to the next user.
>
> The other half of the people expect that it’s up to the current user to ensure the fixture is ready before use.
>
> I predict there will be _no consensus_.
In SpuriousLand, no consensus is necessary. Helpfully, there are signs posted all around my laundry room and on _every individual lint trap_ saying “ **You must clean out your lint trap after drying a load of laundry**.” If you don’t, Marvin the Muscular Apartment Manager may have some words for you.
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### Author:  [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/54 "2004-08-06T21:10:02Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#):
>
> Both your argument suck ass **bughunter**.
No, they are not my arguments. I merely summarized them.
I was demonstrating my understanding of both sides of the argument.
You are demonstrating an understanding of only one. And it does not automatically make you correct.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/55 "2004-08-06T21:37:23Z")
Summarized them from where? No one else posted arguments as to why one should not clean a lint trap, only you did that.
I demonstrate an understanding of only one? I understand both sides and the arguments you gave are ridiculous.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/56 "2004-08-06T21:59:09Z")
Originally posted by **bughunter** in the **Skid Marks** thread
> [@](#):
>
> I can wipe until there’s nothing left; not even an odor comes off on the paper. And still, a half an hour later, I’ve got to go back into the bathroom and wipe again. There’s always some straggling leakage. I’ve been that way since childhood.
>
> And, surprise… that’s what underwear’s for!.
And you think your lint is clean? :dubious:
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### Author:  [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/57 "2004-08-06T23:01:16Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#):
>
> And you think your lint is clean?
It damn well better be. I washed it. After I wash my underwear, it doesn’t have skidmarks. And neither does my lint.
You are entitled to disagree with “my arguments.” But that doesn’t make them “suck” or “ridiculous.” Your emotionally-loaded characterisations of “my arguments” do more to undermine any objective validity to your arguments than anything I could write.
And for the record, no laundromats I’ve ever used have had patron accessible filters to begin with. And at home, I clean the filter _before_ loading the dryer.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/58 "2004-08-06T23:11:42Z")
As others have mentioned in the **Skid Mark** thread, unless you wash them immediately after the creation of the skids, you’re underwear are going into the dryer with the skid marks too.
No, disagreeing with arguments don’t make an argument ridiculous. I’ve disagreed with people before and don’t always find there rationale ridiculous. In your case, I do.
No one is talking about a home dryer. There talking about public ones, possibly like ones found in a college dorm where the lint traps do have to be cleaned by the users.
Why do you put “my aruments” in quotes? Are you still claiming that they are not yours but summaries of someone elses? Whose?
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### Author:  [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2004, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/59 "2004-08-07T01:28:32Z")
**x-ray vision** and **bughunter** , y’all do realize that you’re both getting in a heated, pissy argument about _dryer lint_, right?
Just making sure.
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### Author:  [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2004, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/60 "2004-08-07T02:06:18Z")
I was waiting for that. 😃
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