# Things that infuriate you well beyond their actual importance **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 4, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712 "2024-09-04T02:18:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 78
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1541 "2025-04-23T17:38:52Z")
KILowatt, KILogram, KILoton, KILometer. Or, if you prefer, MILlimeter, CENtimeter, DECimetre, KILometer. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1542 "2025-04-23T18:17:19Z")
Well then, that’s one more thing to laugh at us Americans about! I have never heard kilometer spoken with the strong first syllable in the States. Maybe it’s a regional thing, but I always hear the strong second syllable in New Jersey. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1543 "2025-04-23T18:31:55Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > something that has always infuriated me is that they don’t let you copy and paste a phone number from email or another app to Skype. A few years ago my company took away our desk phones and replaced them with a “soft phone” app on our computers called Cisco Jabber. It has the opposite problem. I don’t have my work phone number memorized, so if I need to supply my phone number in a form or email I go look at my number in Jabber. Except Jabber will _display_ my phone number, but I can’t highlight it or copy it and paste it elsewhere. I can only look at it and type it by hand. And while I’m complaining about Jabber, a more annoying problem is that whenever some calls me it defaults to using my laptops internal speaker and microphone, even though my headset is plugged in. I have to tell the person to wait a second while I go into Jabber’s settings and change the audio device to my headset. Thankfully that’s a rare occurrence as we use Teams for internal communication and I rarely need to call or receive calls from people who are using actual phones. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1544 "2025-04-23T18:47:09Z")
Here on the North Shore of Boston, I’ve noticed a number of flags at half staff today. I was wondering who had died, and thought it might be for the pope, which would be okay if it was a private home’s flagpole, as the first few I saw were. (Plenty of Catholics around here.) But then I saw official flag poles at Peabody Town Hall, fire stations, libraries, etc. Grrrrr. The US flag is not lowered to half staff anytime someone famous dies, and in a country that is supposed to separate church and state, certainly not a religious figure. The whole tradition of flags at half staff has become practically meaningless, since these days you ever know if its for the latest mass shooting, the death of a pop star, to signify a political position, or just because the owner feels sad that day. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1545 "2025-04-23T18:54:16Z")
This came straight from the White House. > **[Honoring the Memory of His Holiness Pope Francis](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/honoring-the-memory-of-his-holiness-pope-francis/)** > > By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested And to be fair, Biden ordered the same thing when Queen Elizabeth died. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1546 "2025-04-23T18:59:23Z")
I was wondering about the flags! The furniture store near us has theirs at half-staff, but the post office across the street does not. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1547 "2025-04-23T19:09:56Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > This came straight from the White House. Well, dammit, I guess that explains it, but it feels wrong to me. Anyone happen to know if previous presidents have done it for previous popes? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1548 "2025-04-23T19:24:51Z")
W ordered flags at half-staff for JPII > **[President Bush Orders Flags Flown at Half Staff in Honor of Pope John Paul II](https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050402-3.html)** > > As a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope John Paul II, President Bush on Saturday proclaimed the flag of the United States shall be flown at half staff. I found a statement from Biden about Benedict’s death, but it doesn’t look like flags were lowered. Before that you have to go to microfiche. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1549 "2025-04-23T19:35:06Z")
Thanks for checking. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1550 "2025-04-23T19:35:19Z")
Remember that the Pope is also a head of state - which also explains why Biden wouldn’t have ordered flags at half staff when Benedict died, as he had retired and was no longer the Pope/head of state ( I think he used Pope Emeritus as his title) ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1551 "2025-04-23T19:35:58Z")
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind while I was writing. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1552 "2025-04-23T19:39:06Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > so if I need to supply my phone number in a form or email I go look at my number in Jabber. How about typing your phone number into a text or Word document and saving it on your desktop? Then it’s readily available for copying and pasting whenever needed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1553 "2025-04-23T19:51:39Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > People saying “kiLOMeter”, with the accent on the second syllable. > [@minor7flat5](#): > > I guess not only are Americans laughed at for using ancient customary units, but we also say kilometer wrong? People have to understand there are different way of pronouncing words, especially Brit vs Yank. Laboratory and Lieutenant for example. > [@minor7flat5](#): > > I have never heard kilometer spoken with the strong first syllable in the States It is a normal Yank vs Brit thing. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1554 "2025-04-23T20:26:20Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > How about typing your phone number into a text or Word document and saving it on your desktop? Then it’s readily available for copying and pasting whenever needed. Yeah, or I probably wouldn’t even need to do that. I’m sure my number is in my Outlook profile, or I could look myself up in the company phone directory, and I’m sure it would be copyable from either. It’s just that the Jabber app is the most convenient place to find it. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1555 "2025-04-23T20:29:20Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I’m sure my number is in my Outlook profile, or I could look myself up in the company phone directory, and I’m sure it would be copyable from either. Or, alternatively, you could memorize your phone number… ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1556 "2025-04-23T20:45:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > It is a normal Yank vs Brit thing. There was never any doubt in my mind. No, it is not surprising that people say things differently. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1557 "2025-04-24T02:15:24Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Or, alternatively, you could memorize your phone number… Do people still do that? I’m only half joking. I still remember my friends’ phone numbers from high school but I don’t remember anyone’s now. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1558 "2025-04-24T02:18:30Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Do people still do that? Do you know your cell number? I certainly know mine. And I certainly knew my phone number at work. (I retired about 8 years ago.) ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1559 "2025-04-24T03:10:49Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Do you know your cell number? I certainly know mine. When I lived in Taiwan, it took me a long time to have mine memorized because I used it so rarely. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712/1560 "2025-04-24T10:49:27Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Do people still do that? I know mine; I know my ex-wife’s. The former because filling in forms, the latter because of … divorce stuff. I still remember my home phone number in the small Zimbawean town where I grew up: 3915. I have trained my kids (and probably my ex has too) to remember her 10 digit cell number, and they know their home address. I don’t know any other, not my mother’s, brother’s or sister’s. I mean laziness is part of it, so I have only myself to blame if I get the allegorical one post-arrest phone call, and all I can recall is my ex… she’s not going to bail me out. But this is a problem beyond just memory. I used to be able to solve fast fourier transform equations on paper without references, now we have the internet… I have forgotten what I knew. Because I never practice them, not for years. I rely on the crutch that is my phone’s list of contacts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-infuriate-you-well-beyond-their-actual-importance/1006712.md?page=79)