# Things that you don't have in your house, but everyone else does **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 23, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005 "2005-12-23T20:00:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/21 "2005-12-23T23:35:27Z")
My dad doesn’t have: a fridge (he cooks without one) a tv (he says it saves him time) a kitchen (well, a self made one of bamboo) heating (he did a year without, but his self-built furnace was finished last week) OTOH, he does have: a very well equipped carpenter’s workshop highspeed internet and several laptops; half a factory to himself to tinker in My dad is 72 years old. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/22 "2005-12-24T00:10:07Z")
An answering machine. An ironing board. I have the _iron_ , just no board. I iron on the kitchen counter if I must iron at all. Premium cable. No HBO or Showtime or Cinemax for me. Another vote for no Coke or Pepsi. The only carbonated drink I keep is Sprite or the generic form thereof , for when I have heartburn. Otherwise I drink tea or juice or water. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/23 "2005-12-24T00:26:09Z")
No coffee maker, electric can opener, food processor, cable or satellite dish, high speed internet, dvd player, ironing board or iron, doorbell, dishwasher, bed (mattress on floor), couch, comfortable chair (just kitchen chairs), art other than what my child drew (some of it is framed though), answering machine, garlic press…my GOD what DO I have??? I have a TV, a VCR, six cats, two kids and a microwave, that’s what I have. And a Bible, somewhere. Oh wait…I don’t have a HOUSE either! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Emeria](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@Emeria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emeria)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/24 "2005-12-24T00:51:25Z")
I had a boyfriend once whose family did not buy paper towels. Ever. Neither did they have anything that could be used to substitute - there are some times when a dish towel or regular towel is just inappropriate!! I didn’t understand this. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/25 "2005-12-24T01:09:30Z")
A porch light. The house has one, of course, but my apartment has no switch for it, so I fumble with my keys at the door or not, at the mercy of my downstairs neighbors. Who, incidentally, appear to be merciless. I’ve spoken to them about it, but they \*never \* turn the damned porch light on. I also don’t have any photographs on the walls. At last count, though, I had 72 paintings. (Most of them are small, and grouped together.) ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/26 "2005-12-24T01:21:57Z")
cable tv, an iron, microwave, nor toaster. nor beds. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/27 "2005-12-24T01:24:45Z")
I don’t have grapefruit spoons, answering machine, potted plants, or a toaster-oven–and there’s no cellphone service at my house, so my cellphone doesn’t come in the house much. > [@ThePCapeman](#): > > One of those steaming insert jobbers that looks like a collapsible mini satellite dish. Alton Brown tells me everyone has one - just go look. I did. I don’t. I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. Is this one of those humidifiers that goes on top of a wood stove? And who’s Alton Brown? > [@Thread Title](#): > > Things that you don’t have in your house, but everyone else does > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > We don’t have…Close neighbors If they’re in your house, they’d have to be pretty close neighbors, indeed 😉 I don’t have a paved driveway, either, BTW. My nearest neighbors are just shy of a half-mile away. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/28 "2005-12-24T01:43:35Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > … > I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. Is this one of those humidifiers that goes on top of a wood stove? And who’s Alton Brown? … [Collapsible steamer](http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/pages/moreinfoa.asp?pe=BCEAHCHQ_+grunwerg+collapsible+steamer+insert&cid=880) [Alton Brown](http://www.altonbrown.com/) ---
**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:** [December 24, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/29 "2005-12-24T03:46:46Z")
[ul][li]a coffee maker[/li][li]a toaster[/li][li]a toaster oven[/li][li]a crock pot[/li][li]digital cable (I only get 80 channels instead of 400+)[/li][li]ice[/li][li]anything to drink other than water[/li][li]a food processor[/li][li]a land line[/li]any video games or gaming systems, except my [Atari 10-in-1](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000645DD/103-2211157-3655805) (I bought it for “Breakout” :))[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/30 "2005-12-24T03:54:09Z")
A landline phone Coffee maker Pictures on the walls (I have exactly one) Coffee table TV stand (my TV sits on the floor) ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/31 "2005-12-24T08:08:33Z")
Air conditioning Game console of any sort (plenty of computer games though) Toilet plunger (never used one, never needed one) ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/32 "2005-12-24T14:12:05Z")
[ul] [li]No coffee maker- I rarely drink coffee, only when I go out for breakfast, and even then I don’t always drink it.[/li][li]I don’t have an iron, and I rarely wear shirts or pants that require ironing. If I do need something ironed I just go to my mom and dad’s house.[/li][li]Beer/alcohol- I don’t drink the stuff, and not for religious reasons; I just don’t see a need or have a desire for consuming it.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/33 "2005-12-24T15:01:05Z")
I didn’t think about the lack of a game console. Very few people I know have one. If I had teens in the house maybe it would seem odd. But my kids are young. We have 4 computers (hand built) and a laptop instead. Jim ---
**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:** [December 24, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/34 "2005-12-24T17:48:19Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > A landline phone Copycat. 😉 > [@dwc1970](#): > > Beer/alcohol- I don’t drink the stuff, and not for religious reasons; I just don’t see a need or have a desire for consuming it. I _do_ drink the stuff, but I still don’t have any in my house. I decided a long time ago that it was probably best for me to not drink alone, and I live alone so I never drink at home. The only time there is alcohol in my house is if I know someone will be coming over to drink it with me, but usually if I’m drinking it’s out at a bar/restaurant/party and not at my place. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/35 "2005-12-24T18:02:35Z")
a dishwasher I’m not against them… I live in a small rental house built in the 50’s. The kitchen would have to be completely remodeled to accomodate a dishwasher and I don’t think my landlord wants to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/36 "2005-12-24T18:16:57Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > A porch light. The house has one, of course, but my apartment has no switch for it, so I fumble with my keys at the door or not, at the mercy of my downstairs neighbors. Who, incidentally, appear to be merciless. I’ve spoken to them about it, but they \*never \* turn the damned porch light on. Put one of [these](http://www.photonlight.com/?Source=Google_photon) on your keychain. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/37 "2005-12-24T18:36:26Z")
Potato chips MP3 personal player Cola drinks Anything with a Nike swoosh on it. Video camera Any credit card that isn’t paid off completely every month. Fish sticks People magazine House plants Ice cream ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/38 "2005-12-24T21:13:45Z")
A garage or carport. We needed to convert ours into a library. We thought of building an add-on carport, took a look at the car and thought “it’s a Volvo! They’re tough! It can take it!” So it sits under a blanket in the driveway. My books, however, have a lovely home! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/39 "2005-12-24T21:20:05Z")
> [@mamboman](#): > > A garage or carport. I used to have a garage, but the termites (that I didn’t know I had until it was too late) decided they wanted it more. It had to been torn down. I don’t miss it, though. It was full of junk. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005/40 "2005-12-24T21:39:13Z")
Piles of junk food. Sodas. Cable. Video games. iPod. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-you-dont-have-in-your-house-but-everyone-else-does/337005.md?page=3)