# 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:** 4
### Author:  [@flamingbananas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flamingbananas)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2004, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/61 "2004-08-07T03:50:10Z")
> [@BytopianDream](#):
>
> 1. Eat your veggies.
> 2. Brush your teeth.
> 3. Floss your teeth.
> 4. And trust me, use lots of sunscreen.
…mom?
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2004, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/62 "2004-08-07T13:43:13Z")
> [@Dante](#):
>
> -Stand up when a lady comes to or leaves the table. **Does not include the waitress.**
Bolding mine. Now THATS funny. I needed a laugh thanks.
My addition. Learn how to pick you fights. Don’t sweat the small stuff. We ALL do things that bug each other.
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/63 "2004-08-07T17:11:09Z")
Gifts should be acknowledged promptly. Someone went to the effort and expense of purchasing or making you a gift, wrapping it, and shipping it; you owe them the courtesy of an acknowledgement. It doesn’t matter if you hated the gift - - you must still thank the person for their thoughtfulness. If you are too immature and self-centered to do this out of common courtesy, you should do it for selfish reasons: (1) failure to acknowledge a gift makes it less likely that you will receive future gifts, (2) failure to acknowledge gifts makes people think you’re a jerk.
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### Author:  [@vexinvixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vexinvixen)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/64 "2004-08-08T02:26:05Z")
If you eat, you should know how to cook, at least a little bit.
If you come to an intersection and you have a stop sign, you should stop. If, at the same intersection you don’t have a stop sign, you should not stop. Not all intersections have 4-way stop signs.
If you want to drive 30 miles over the speed limit, use no blinkers, slam on the brakes without warning, and in general make the road dangerous and miserable for everyone, you should go out and buy yourself a BIG piece of land and build your own road. And then do whatever you want on it. Those public roads you see everywhere belong to everyone, not just you. And part of driving is driving responsibly.
If you are in a doorway, don’t just stand there and look stupid, get out of the way and let others people through. The sames goes for grocery store aisles and stairways.
At the movies, or concerts, plays, lectures – be quiet. Turn off your cell phone. Stop getting up and down. Stop unwrapping candy. Don’t snore. And please keep your children quiet.
Don’t kick or push or put your feet on the back of someone else’s chair.
Don’t look over someone’s shoulder while they are trying to work.
Don’t take chances with other people’s health, safety or money.
If you go to a foreign country, don’t expect the people there to speak your language.
If you have children, please teach them to behave in public. I like children. But nobody likes bratty little monsters – and children only get that way because they are allowed to.
Smile. Your face won’t crack.
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### Author:  [@vexinvixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vexinvixen)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/65 "2004-08-08T02:29:34Z")
Stop for emergency vehicles and school buses and pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Help people who look lost or who are injured or for some reason seem to need help. At least direct them to someone who can help them, or offer to send help to them.
Pets are not disposable.
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### Author:  [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2004, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/66 "2004-08-08T03:58:38Z")
> [@Jenny Haniver](#):
>
> (For people in the US) The Interstate Highway System follows a few rules that are incredibly handy for finding your way around, or figuring out which road to take. Odd numbered Interstates run North-South and are numbered sequentially starting on the West Coast. Even numbered Interstates run East-West, and are numbered sequentially starting in the South.
Conversely, U.S. 1 runs along the Atlantic coast, while the route’s odd-numbered counterparts’ numerical designations increase as you move west. Meanwhile, U.S. 2 is in the northern part of the country, while U.S. 98 hugs the Gulf of Mexico.
> [@](#):
>
> Meteors burn up completely in the atmosphere; Meteorites actually hit the earth. Before hitting atmosphere, they’re called Asteroids.
Actually, the term you want is _meteoroids_ – asteroids are those mini-planets in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. 🆒
Unbelievable as it may seem, there are people who think that they have to throw their old UNUSED postage stamps away if the rates increase! Good news – that 34-cent commemorative you found in your drawer will get your letter to its destination as long as you add 3 cents’ worth of additional postage! Even stamps from the 1930’s and earlier can be used on envelopes as long as the total amount of postage meets 2004 requirements. Pre-Civil War stamps are no longer valid, but their value to collectors is so high that you’d literally be throwing money away if you affixed [these portraits](http://www.1847usa.com/identify/19th/1847.htm) to your bills or postcards.
(Above paragraph is USA-specific – regulations differ from nation to nation, especially when governmental regimes change or hyperinflation necessitates revaluation of currency.)
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### Author:  [@MizQuirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizQuirk)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/67 "2004-08-08T04:09:54Z")
[QUOTE=Sternvogel]
Conversely, U.S. 1 runs along the Atlantic coast, while the route’s odd-numbered counterparts’ numerical designations increase as you move west. Meanwhile, U.S. 2 is in the northern part of the country, while U.S. 98 hugs the Gulf of Mexico.
QUOTE]
Thank you for straightening that out. It seemed to me they would/should have been numbered in the order in which the country was settled–east to west and north to south, and evidently that’s the way it happened.
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### Author:  [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)
#### Post date: [August 8, 2004, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/68 "2004-08-08T05:25:57Z")
[QUOTE=MizQuirk]
[QUOTE=Sternvogel]
Conversely, U.S. 1 runs along the Atlantic coast, while the route’s odd-numbered counterparts’ numerical designations increase as you move west. Meanwhile, U.S. 2 is in the northern part of the country, while U.S. 98 hugs the Gulf of Mexico.
> [@](#):
>
> Thank you for straightening that out. It seemed to me they would/should have been numbered in the order in which the country was settled–east to west and north to south, and evidently that’s the way it happened.
To clarify – **Jenny Haniver** was correct in her description of the [Interstate Highway System](http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa052499.htm), which features the high-speed, limited access, but (IMHO) more boring routes with the green signs. Interstates came along after the [U.S. Highways](http://www.gbcnet.com/ushighways/history.html), such as old Route 66, which provide “local color” as they pass directly through the business districts of towns and temporarily gain such designations as Pearl Road (U.S. 42 in Cleveland, Ohio). Since the U.S. Highways’ numerical designations followed the settlement pattern you mention, the Interstate Highways reversed the order so that residents of a particular area didn’t have to deal with two identically-numbered major roads during their daily commutes.
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### Author:  [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2004, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/69 "2004-08-09T04:31:24Z")
> [@Jenny Haniver](#):
>
> (For people in the US) The Interstate Highway System follows a few rules that are incredibly handy for finding your way around, or figuring out which road to take. Odd numbered Interstates run North-South and are numbered sequentially starting on the West Coast. Even numbered Interstates run East-West, and are numbered sequentially starting in the South.
I do know this, and I think about it every time I take I-94W to go north.
I understand that the stupid road has to go around Lake Michigan, and it will turn west again at some point, but I just find it oddly amusing, not to mention confusing, that around here you have to know the rules don’t quite apply. For some reason it just tickles me.
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### Author:  [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/70 "2004-08-09T15:54:36Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#):
>
> To clarify – **Jenny Haniver** was correct in her description of the [Interstate Highway System](http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa052499.htm), which features the high-speed, limited access, but (IMHO) more boring routes with the green signs. Interstates came along after the [U.S. Highways](http://www.gbcnet.com/ushighways/history.html), such as old Route 66, which provide “local color” as they pass directly through the business districts of towns and temporarily gain such designations as Pearl Road (U.S. 42 in Cleveland, Ohio). Since the U.S. Highways’ numerical designations followed the settlement pattern you mention, the Interstate Highways reversed the order so that residents of a particular area didn’t have to deal with two identically-numbered major roads during their daily commutes.
Another thing everyone should know - when giving directions or planning a route, know what kind of highway the road being used is. (Especially if you live in Lebanon, KS.:))
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### Author:  [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/71 "2004-08-09T20:02:19Z")
Is it just me, or are people interpreting this thread in two slightly different ways? One group seem to think it’s about ‘here’s the right/best way to do some useful things’ and others are just listing ‘things any sane adult should know / be able to do’ without providing any instructions. Oh, and I guess there’s a third group which is exclusively concerned with Pit-style diatribes concerning dryer lint.
A few contributions…
1. When someone has been nice enough to send you something, especially something they have made for you, you should at least say ‘thank you’. I’m constantly surprised by the number of otherwise perfectly nice people who don’t bother. Is ‘thank you’ too much these days? Too out of date?
2. If you have lousy handwriting, don’t just assume everyone else will be able to figure out what you have written. Use block capitals. And in circumstances where confusion may reign, understand that your S might look like a 5 and vice-versa, so clarify!
3. On a phone or answering machine, sounds like ‘s’ and ‘f’ can be hard to distinguish. It doesn’t take much longer to clarify spelling, and it only takes a few minutes to learn the phonetic alphabet so you can be crystal clear: “That’s F Foxtrot / S Sierra”.
4. You like your music, but this doesn’t mean everyone else does. So in public places, keep it to yourself.
5. Guys… when we invite women out somewhere, they really appreciate being told any important factors that might affect what they choose to wear e.g. if there’s a lot of walking involved / whether you’ll be going by car or public transport / what the host said about dress code and so on. They have more choices than we do, they have more practical considerations to bear in mind than we do, and it matters more to them to get it ‘right’.
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### Author:  [@beltbuckle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beltbuckle)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/72 "2004-08-09T20:18:38Z")
When you are leaving your name & number on an answering machine, leave your number twice. I can not count on both hands how many times I have not been able to return a call because of cell phones cutting out, background noise, bad pronunciation, etc. Leaving the number twice ensures that I will probably be able to call you back. Also speak clearly and don’t talk really fast.
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### Author:  [@beltbuckle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beltbuckle)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/73 "2004-08-09T20:23:59Z")
When you are leaving your name & number on an answering machine, leave your number twice. I can not count on both hands how many times I have not been able to return a call because of cell phones cutting out, background noise, bad pronunciation, etc. Leaving the number twice ensures that I will probably be able to call you back. Also speak clearly and don’t talk really fast.
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### Author:  [@beltbuckle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beltbuckle)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/74 "2004-08-09T20:31:34Z")
When you are leaving your name & number on an answering machine, leave your number twice. I can not count on both hands how many times I have not been able to return a call because of cell phones cutting out, background noise, bad pronunciation, etc. Leaving the number twice ensures that I will probably be able to call you back. Also speak clearly and don’t talk really fast.
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### Author:  [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/75 "2004-08-10T12:50:13Z")
> [@beltbuckle](#):
>
> When you are leaving your name & number on an answering machine, leave your number twice.
> [@beltbuckle](#):
>
> When you are leaving your name & number on an answering machine, leave your number twice.
> [@beltbuckle](#):
>
> When you are leaving your name & number on an answering machine, leave your number twice.
All right, all right already! I’ll do it!!!
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### Author:  [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2004, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/76 "2004-08-10T13:27:05Z")
I almost forgot the most important thing everyone should know…
SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE! 😃
And on that note…
You should know how to tip properly at a restaraunt - 15% for merely adequate service, more if the waitperson did more than was absolutely required. Less if they did a miserable job. But be fair.
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### Author:  [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/77 "2004-08-10T16:34:39Z")
> [@Dante](#):
>
> 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…)
I am going to add a big SECOND to your last statement. So many times I try to be chivalrous only to be yelled at for assuming the woman I am with is incompetant. I’m trying to be nice, give me a break! I don’t do it all the time, mind you. If I go out with a group of friends that includes women, then they order for themselves. If I’m on a date with my special lady (well…first we must assume I have a special lady first) then I try to be chivalrous.
Now, when it comes to giving up a seat to a lady…depends on the situation. Not that I am in an area with a subway, but if I was, and I got there before you, I get the seat. If it were rush hour and we are both on our way to work, I get on a stop before you and nab a seat, and then you get on five minutes later, you ain’t gettin’ it just 'cause you got ovaries, lady! Obvious exceptions include if I am with my “special lady” she gets it, or someone who needs the seat more than me, such as an ill, elderly, handicapped, or pregnant person. I may be a jerk, but I’m not THAT big of a jerk. 😉
I’ll add some of my on stuff here:
Basic computer skills. In this day and age, at the very least you should know how to receive and send email. My mother only in the last year has learned how to do this. We’ve had a computer since I was 8, and internet for the past five years, and she’s had a computer w/internet and email at her job for the past eight or nine years.
I’ll add a BIG second to basic emergency knowledge. This could mean as much as knowing how to perfrom an emergency appendectomy, to as little as knowing how to call 911. Mind you, that DOES mean more than knowing how to dial three numbers, you need to know how to describe where you are, what has happened, etc…
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### Author:  [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/78 "2004-08-10T17:04:35Z")
> [@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!
You think Chem majors get that a lot? Try being a statistics major!
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2004, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/79 "2004-08-10T20:12:07Z")
Everyone should know how to cook at least one weeks worth of meals. I’m up to about 4.
> [@](#):
>
> If you’re in a movie, shut the hell up. If your kid is squawking, get it out of there.
I must make an amendment to this. If it is a kids movie, in the middle of the afternoon, during the week, you better expect children to be there. And guess what, children act like children. Don’t glare at my two year old because she is acting two during _Finding Nemo_. Thats the reason I go at 1:00pm on Tuesday. Its a cartoon what do you expect? If it was the 8:00pm showing I can understand but give me a break.
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### Author:  [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2004, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-everyone-should-know/258441/80 "2004-08-11T06:20:32Z")
> [@](#):
>
> You think Chem majors get that a lot? Try being a statistics major!
There couldn’t possibly be that many people stupid enough to be a stat major in the first place.
🙂
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