# Universal practices that apparently aren’t that universal. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874 "2013-10-10T14:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BrickaBracka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BrickaBracka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickaBracka)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874/121 "2013-10-18T20:40:44Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Face it, smokers are the lepers of 21-century America. As though leprosy was a choice? I have very little personal respect for people who smoke in today’s society. We just know too much about the dangers - and the asshats who smoke in their young children’s faces? If I were emperor… :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874/122 "2013-10-18T22:21:06Z")
> [@Orville\_mogul](#): > > if you weren’t meant to cover the loo, then why have a lid at all? I close the lid to flush, but then wait for it to finish and open it again. Not sure why. Also, I don’t think I have any white sugar or sweetener in the house at all. Unless you count brown sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874/123 "2013-10-19T00:58:53Z")
> [@BrickaBracka](#): > > Everyone I know (other than teenagers in their first place) has one handy, as do I. I’ve never had a sugar bowl, and I’m 50. No need for one, the only sugar in the house is for baking, neither of us drinks coffee or uses sugar in our tea. > [@](#): > > Who DOESN’T have a microwave??? I know a half dozen adults who don’t have one, most by choice. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874/124 "2013-10-19T02:40:05Z")
> [@Gullible\_s\_Travels](#): > > Is this one of those times when bathroom doesn’t mean what I think it means?? > > Every bathroom I’ve ever seen in Australia has a floor drain, for when the bath or basin overflows or when your kid points the shower rose into the room. A toilet in its own little room generally not, but if it’s in the bathroom along with the bath/shower/basin there will be a floor drain. That’s been my experience too - houses have a drain in the floor of the bathroom so you can deal with overflows or make cleaning easier. Bear in mind in Australia, Bathroom = room where the bath and/or shower are (as well as sinks and taps for washing hands, shaving, brushing teeth etc) and Toilet = room which just has a toilet in it. You can, of course, have toilets in the bathroom (and many houses do), but lots of houses also have a separate “toilet in its own room” too (or instead of it being in the bathroom). ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874/125 "2013-10-19T03:02:12Z")
Only a few have mentioned them, but I never did understand the appeal (unless someone _lives_ to cook) of kitchen canisters for Coffee, Flour, Sugar, etc. Always seemed like a lot of counter space simply to avoid opening a cabinet. So, new item for the checklist: Kitchen Canisters - have them? Did your parents have them? Ever see them when visiting? I have never seen them in a home. 3 pairs of scissors + barber shears (beard) nail clippers, pens and pads everywhere I rent out a room - roomie has created a sugar bowl using a condiment bowl and cover. First time I’ve had one in the same house since childhood. I don’t drink coffee or tea, the occasional bowl of cereal does not justify the clutter. He likes coffee. Microwave since mid-90’s (I don’t adapt to new technology easily). Have a CRT TV, never had cable - it is used as a playback device. Hasn’t been used for even that for 4 years. Last time I watched broadcast was when the Simpsons went downhill. The MacNeil-Lehrer and occasional PBS special were the last viewed. Cannot comprehend how some people turn their lives over to what really is a “boob-tube”. Honey Boo-Boo? You’re kidding me! People watch some hillbillies living their lives? And YOU PAY to watch this crap? I saw a couple of episodes of COPS - that was more than enough “reality” for a lifetime. Always carry jumper cables - and buy good ones - they are, like most tools, cheaper in the long run. Pay $50 once, or $20 4 times - your choice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-practices-that-apparently-aren-t-that-universal/670874.md?page=6)