# Things that are staples in other houses, but not yours. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 23, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526 "2005-06-23T13:44:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/81 "2005-06-28T02:00:16Z")
There is no meat in my house. I am a vegetarian for more than 15 years now. There is no television in my house. Hasn’t been one in more than 20 years. There is no booze in my house. I haven’t been a drinker for about 16 years now. Also: no eggs, no ketchup, no mustard, no BBQ sauce, no mayonaisse, no lettuce, no crackers, no sliced bread, no noise restrictions, no bedtime, and no reason not to pet the cat. My lifestyle is ascetic, to some, but it works for me. 😛 Bo ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/82 "2005-06-28T03:02:36Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > No offense, but I think I might understand your father. Your brother and sister sound like absolute freaks, and it seems as though your father is (imperfectly) attempting to control obsessive/very odd behavior that he **not** does understand. I certainly don’t understand it. They sound like they have prader willie syndrome or something. What is this? I eat multiple bowls of cereal at least 3 or 4 times a day! Sometimes, numbers exceed that. It’s quick and easy, with plenty of variety, and tastes delicious. My family jokes (or maybe it’s actually pretty true) that without cereal, I wouldn’t be alive. What’s this prader willie syndrome? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/83 "2005-06-28T03:19:25Z")
> [@Sunshine and Smiles](#): > > \ I eat multiple bowls of cereal \tastes delicious. \ Not to hijack or anything, but seriously? Cereal tastes delicious to you? It tastes like a quick way to get my belly full in the morning so I can start my day to me. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/84 "2005-06-28T14:06:29Z")
> [@Sunshine and Smiles](#): > > What is this? I eat multiple bowls of cereal at least 3 or 4 times a day! Sometimes, numbers exceed that. It’s quick and easy, with plenty of variety, and tastes delicious. My family jokes (or maybe it’s actually pretty true) that without cereal, I wouldn’t be alive. What’s this prader willie syndrome? I tried to phrase what I wrote without coming across as far too harsh. I still came across as too harsh, but my point is that the brother and sister do sound odd. Aside from your cereal thing, we’ve also learned that if there is cheese in the house, the brother will simply sit there and eat all of it. I’m just linking up the various comments made about the siblings, (will just eat all the cereal; will just sit there and eat all of the cheese; will drink all of the milk really quickly) and wondering whether there are some really big food issues going on in the family (besides the father). ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/85 "2005-06-28T15:01:34Z")
Something missing from my place that everyone else has? A significant Other. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/86 "2005-06-28T15:28:00Z")
> [@SlyFrog](#): > > I tried to phrase what I wrote without coming across as far too harsh. I still came across as too harsh, but my point is that the brother and sister do sound odd. Aside from your cereal thing, we’ve also learned that if there is cheese in the house, the brother will simply sit there and eat all of it. I’m just linking up the various comments made about the siblings, (will just eat all the cereal; will just sit there and eat all of the cheese; will drink all of the milk really quickly) and wondering whether there are some really big food issues going on in the family (besides the father). Right. Like a scavenger, he is. Walks to the fridge. Takes out a couple of slices of cheese. Walks away eating them. Comes back to repeat. This is, of course, the same brother who used to drink maple syrup from the bottle, and eat honey and cheese sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/87 "2005-06-28T16:29:47Z")
[Prader Willi Syndrome](http://www.moddrc.com/Information-Disabilities/FastFacts/prader.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/88 "2005-06-28T17:21:46Z")
Well, that sounds not so good. Rest assured, SDMB, I am not afflicted, though my fanatical cereal habits could very well be something else. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/89 "2005-06-28T17:28:06Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > [Prader Willi Syndrome](http://www.moddrc.com/Information-Disabilities/FastFacts/prader.htm) Thanks, sorry I forgot to respond to the request for more information myself. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/90 "2005-06-28T17:48:53Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > I didn’t really realize how well-stocked my kitchen was until reading this. I have everything, and fairly fresh and ready to use, too. I rock! (Oh, except crap like baloney and spam. We are spam-free.) I know exactly what you mean! Me too - I’m feeing quite virtuous!! And to top it off, I have baloney - Oscar Meyer as a matter of fact - AND I have a can of Spam! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/91 "2005-06-28T23:01:48Z")
I _could_ have baloney, if I wanted to. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/92 "2005-06-28T23:44:23Z")
Doesn’t anyone spell it b-o-l-o-g-n-a anymore?? 😉 > [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Something missing from my place that everyone else has? A significant Other. Not “everyone,” my self-pitying friend… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/93 "2005-06-29T00:05:48Z")
I spell it l-i-p-s-a-n-d-a-s-s-h-o-l-e-s myself. But maybe that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![gfloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d2c977/32.png) [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/94 "2005-06-29T02:13:34Z")
I just moved in, but I don’t have any soup or spices yet. My parents said they’s send me spices for my birthday, which is in a few weeks, so I didn’t buy any other than salt, pepper and cinnamon. I don’t drink coffee, so I don’t have any. I might buy some instant stuff if I ever entertain. ---
**Author:** ![RunAmok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@RunAmok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunAmok)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/95 "2005-06-29T03:28:04Z")
**gfloyd** , it would probably be kinder just to tell your coffee-drinking friends that you don’t have any coffee. :shudder: Instant coffee :shudder: My kitchen, though? Probably somewhere on the ridiculous side of well-stocked. I live about three miles due east of the Epicenter of Nowhere, but I’d feel absolutely weird without flour, sugar, salt, basic (dried) herbs and spices, fresh fruit and veggies, garlic, meat and poultry in the freezer, pasta, rice, cereal, milk, cheese, butter, etc. Maybe because I do live in the boonies – restaurant take-out and delivery around here consists of burgers, fried chicken, and pizza. Maybe also because I’m poor: I can’t afford take-out or delivery for my family all that often. Besides, I like my own cooking better than most things I’m able to buy. I’m proud to say, though: No Spam. Ever! ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/96 "2005-06-29T15:59:17Z")
No instant mashed potatoes - apparently they’re the big thing now (from what I hear tell in Cafe Society). _No_ canned peas. Ever. Nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/97 "2005-06-29T21:00:39Z")
> [@RunAmok](#): > > I’m proud to say, though: No Spam. Ever! I like spam. It’s great in jaffles with tomato, cheese and onion. We always take it camping purely for making jaffles. mmmmm ---
**Author:** ![Thirty-Nine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@Thirty-Nine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thirty-Nine)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/98 "2005-06-29T22:47:17Z")
We only ever have **ketchup** with fish fingers… Heaven knows why this particular meal has earned the distinction. **Soda** , **Sugar** and **Ice Cream**. On the other hand, chocolate is basically fuels our household. We need to have planned something involving **eggs** before they appear in our cupboards. Personally, I don’t buy **milk** (I like my cereal dry and coffee black). \You philistines, you… I don’t see you putting milk in your wine!\ Any **hard liquor** other than a lonely bottle of Gin, which will be drained into glasses of tonic over a period of several years. I’ve also come across the “There’s no point buying things that go quickly.” logic. I think it can be more a case of “There’s no point in buying things that go before I get to them.” I suppose this is fair if a single person is ploughing through stuff that other people want. It really depends on who’s paying for it. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/99 "2005-06-30T01:28:59Z")
> [@Burnt Sugar](#): > > I like spam. It’s great in jaffles with tomato, cheese and onion. We always take it camping purely for making jaffles. mmmmm What the hell are jaffles? Jellied waffles? ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526/100 "2005-06-30T16:55:19Z")
I was just going to ask that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-staples-in-other-houses-but-not-yours/309526.md?page=6)