# Weird habits of the SDMB dopers... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 28, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355 "2003-07-28T02:18:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Great\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_One)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/1 "2003-07-28T02:18:47Z")
Some people smoke. Others bite their fingernails. I had one friend who bit her toenails. But me? I chew on coke can tabs. By coke can tabs I mean the little metal thing on pop cans you open the can with. And I chew them. The worst tab for chewing is pepsi–the blue dye starts to peel off the longer I chew, making me wonder if the lining of my stomach has turned blue yet. Generally they’re silver, so that it’s easier to forget all the dire warnings I’m sure my health teacher would be showering upon my poor, tab-chewing head. I remember when one time my Grandma left the house and just before closing the door, sticks her head in, and tells me to make sure I don’t suck on pennies, as I could choke on one and die. She was completely serious. So she left and I had a good laugh. I mean, who would be stupid enough to suck on pennies? And now I chew on coke can tabs. Check-up soon. I wonder if the doctor has ever seen blue stomach lining before? ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/2 "2003-07-28T03:40:58Z")
Because of the way I hold my pencils, I like to buy the mechanichal pencils that have the clicky tops to make the lead longer. When I’m writing, and the lead gets too short, I hit my pencil against my shoulder in a Tourettes-esque motion. Much faster than clicking it with my finger. I also tap my thumb ring against things. That’s the only reason I really wear a thumb ring, is to whack it on various surfaces. And I cut my fingernails off almost to the nail bed. I hate having fingernails, also because of the way I hold my pencil. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/3 "2003-07-28T05:03:16Z")
I click my trackball left button compulsively in this pattern: Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. Click. Click-click-click-click. it drives ME nuts, I can only imagine how annoying it must be for other people. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/4 "2003-07-28T05:12:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by The Great One \* > \*\* I chew on coke can tabs._\* So how are your teeth? ---
**Author:** ![IDemandBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e57/32.png) [@IDemandBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDemandBeer)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/5 "2003-07-28T06:02:45Z")
I keep my hand in my pocket and constantly flick my lighter. I’ve burned holes in the pocket of several pairs of pants this way…ya think I’d learn. Every time I open a beer bottle, I shoot the cap at various things and/or people. Never strangers though - they get mad when they get pelted in the ass by a fast-flying beer cap propelled by some drunk guy they don’t know. I tap my rings against various surfaces to the beat of whatever song is in my head at the moment. Beer bottles are great 'cause they make this “clinka clinka clinka” noise that annoys people to no end. I fiddle with my earrings incessantly. To name just a few 😉 –IDB ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/6 "2003-07-28T07:05:25Z")
> [@](#): > > I had one friend who bit her toenails. I do this myself. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/7 "2003-07-28T08:18:32Z")
Must… pop… bubblewrap!! ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/8 "2003-07-28T09:19:06Z")
The first thing I do after peeing and putting coffee on in the morning is sitting down in front of the computer to read the board. Sad, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/9 "2003-07-28T09:52:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*The first thing I do after peeing and putting coffee on in the morning is sitting down in front of the computer to read the board. > > Sad, isn’t it? \*\* Me, too. _sigh_ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/10 "2003-07-28T10:10:44Z")
Make that another one who does that. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/11 "2003-07-28T11:52:23Z")
There’s no other way to do it. You get up, get the coffee, and then sit there, glazed eyes, dazed expression, sort of how economists look when they discuss deficit spending, and then the coffee’s ready, so you slide over on your rolling chair to get a cup, eyes still transfixed to the screen - must Reply to Topic, must Reply to Topic… ---
**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/12 "2003-07-28T12:01:36Z")
You pee first? Slack-asses! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/13 "2003-07-28T12:07:59Z")
Liversausage sandwiches. On cinnamon raisin bread. Yummy. ---
**Author:** ![thinline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@thinline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinline)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/14 "2003-07-28T13:03:41Z")
Well, this being my # 1 post… I’m gonna tell off on myself and get it over with here in as good a place as many. First I get confused… more than I am. It’s like confused"er". AND I’m bad about “gommin” which isn’t worth as much as doin nothin. There it is. I think it’s alot… but it might be more. I’m a slower typer than normal too! Maybe it’s not more it’s just where it happens to be. Or is it just me that’s not?.. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/15 "2003-07-28T13:45:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mirror Image egamI rorriM \* > **Because of the way I hold my pencils, I like to buy the mechanichal pencils that have the clicky tops to make the lead longer. When I’m writing, and the lead gets too short, I hit my pencil against my shoulder in a Tourettes-esque motion. Much faster than clicking it with my finger.** I do this with ball point pens! The one’s that have the ‘click’ thing up top! I am SO there, dude. Me? I won’t use straws unless absolutely forced. They’re an abomination. ---
**Author:** ![CharlesW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@CharlesW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CharlesW)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/16 "2003-07-28T14:04:02Z")
I used to chew on the can tabs, but I don’t drink soda anymore. So what did I do? I now eat wodden toothpicks. Whenever we go out to eat I get a toothpick on the way out, and about an hour later I will find it half gone. Guess I get my daily dose of fiber. I also have the annoying habbit (at least to my friends) of twirling stuff in my fingers. Pens, screwdrivers, straws, etc. Have to be doing something with my hands. Another one, not sure if it is weird or not. When ever I get to my destination in my truck I have to set all switches and knobs to a specific setting. Turn AC off, AC speed to low, Turn lights off, radio to a specific station, set e-brake, put trans in nuetral, make sure seat is as far back, and as far up as it will go. Then I get out. ---
**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/17 "2003-07-28T14:22:34Z")
I rub my hair. I mean, I take some hair between my fingers and rub it back and forth. I have no idea why, but it feels nice. My parents tried for years to break me of it. And thank you, **Mockingbird**. Suddenly I feel less lame. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/18 "2003-07-28T14:35:30Z")
I do the same as **Bren\_Cameron** , but I do it with my beard. It ends up looking kind of lopsided, but I suppose whatever keeps me from chewing my fingernails… And welcome to the SDMB, **thinline**! ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/19 "2003-07-28T15:03:38Z")
Another pen-clicker. It’s just that I don’t use my shoulder. I use my forehead. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355/20 "2003-07-28T15:19:45Z")
I twist locks of my hair. Round and round my index finger (loosely, so it slides) then round and round my middle finger, then back to the index finger… I’ve done it since I was a little girl, and nobody’s ever been able to make me stop. If I have both hands free I divide up the lock and make a tiny little braid. Then I pull it out and do it again. Or else go back to twisting it. I also mentally count all the time. The constant background noise in my mind is “1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4.” or whatever, depending on the “beat” in my mind at that particular time. Once when I was on a long bike ride and started feeling bad, I started counting pedal revolutions. I had a bike computer, so I knew how far I still had to go, but counting pedal revolutions made it easier to tell when the odometer was going to click over to the next tenth of a mile. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-habits-of-the-sdmb-dopers/191355.md?page=2)