# What is the worst they could say? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 21, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619 "2005-12-21T14:54:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/1 "2005-12-21T14:54:50Z")
This morning, Mrs. Magill asked me to ask our son’s daycare if they could hold onto his carseat tomorrow, so his grandparents could pick him up. I told her that they were unlikely to do that, but I’ll ask anyway. (I’m the husband - I do as I’m told.) She told me, “the worst they can say is no.” That got me thinking. They could say, “You moron! How dare you ask that? No day care for you! One year!” “That stupid question! You die now!” is another possibility. I think it’s unlikely they’d say these, Mr. Jason, the director, is a pretty nice man. The point still stands though; there are a lot worse things they could say than “No.” Now I turn to you all. What is the worst they could say? ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/2 "2005-12-21T15:08:56Z")
“Congratulations! Yours was the fifth stupid question of the day, and your son has been chosen for our New Years ritual sacrifice. We’ll continue billing you for the rest of 2006.” ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/3 "2005-12-21T15:11:08Z")
“Yes Mr. Maus, we’d be glad to. Make sure he’s strapped in securely, so he doesn’t escape during the night” ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/4 "2005-12-21T15:17:05Z")
They could say, “We were happy to help you out, Mr. **Maus**. Feel free to ask anytime. By the way, your dad sure doesn’t look very old but he’s a little forgetful, isn’t he? He didn’t know your son’s name, just pointed and asked if he could have “that one.” And I don’t know why you wanted us to keep the car seat. Mr. Itchy doesn’t drive, he just took your son and wandered off into the woods over there…” That’s a little _too_ much, isn’t it? If so, I’m sorry. How about: “Sure, Mr. **Magill**. Hey, a car seat? You really go overboard on the safety thing, don’t you? No wonder your kid’s such a wimp in the death-cage matches.” Or even just: “What’s _this_ crazy thing?” Felicitations to you, Mrs., and up-and-coming **Mause** , and the grandparents as well. May your son grow up and grow old knowing the world as a just, safe and endlessly entertaining place. Merry Christmas and/or Happy Hannukah and/or please accept my very best regards and wishes in the best spirit of the coldest month. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/5 "2005-12-21T15:25:03Z")
When your grandparents arrive, they could say, “Car seat? What car seat?” Then call the cops when your grandparents drive off with an unrestrained child in the car. ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/6 "2005-12-21T15:28:24Z")
Meanwhile they were happy to do it, weren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/7 "2005-12-21T15:45:05Z")
This just baffles the shit out of me. That is a common request in a day-care or at least it is in the one my daughter goes too. With these types of things, you have to think about what business these people are in and what type of things other customers are likely to ask of them. Ask a hotel to hold onto your luggage for a while after you have checked out? Sure, that is a very common need of their customers. Parents often need to leave the car seat for this very reason. I did it last week. Why on earth would they say no to something like that and how would they phrase it? They just throw the thing in a corner or closet. It doesn’t cause anyone discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/8 "2005-12-21T15:50:37Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > What is the worst they could say? “Sure, no problem. That’ll be $500 handling charge. Cash. In advance.” OK, maybe that’s not the worst, but it would be pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/9 "2005-12-21T15:50:37Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > When your grandparents arrive, they could say, “Car seat? What car seat?” > > Then call the cops when your grandparents drive off with an unrestrained child in the car. Don’t tempt me. They were supposed to come Friday evening - meaning we could have a GI party Friday morning to make the hose ready. We found out yesterday they were coming a day early and are bringing some other guests. That - and my MIL is commandeering MY kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/10 "2005-12-21T15:55:02Z")
I can think of some really dark answers to this that are orders of magnitude worse than anything posted so far, but I think posting them would be contrary to both board rules and common decency. ---
**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:** [December 21, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/11 "2005-12-21T15:57:12Z")
They _could_ steal your _good_ car seat, leave a crappy _old_ one in it’s place, & then shrug when you complain. They could do _that_. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/12 "2005-12-21T15:57:32Z")
> [@Caricci](#): > > Meanwhile they were happy to do it, weren’t they? I dunno. I haven’t asked yet. I got the request after I dropped Fang off. > [@Shagnasty](#): > > This just baffles the shit out of me. That is a common request in a day-care or at least it is in the one my daughter goes too. Is it? I had no idea. Now I won’t feel quite as stupid when I ask… unless they want the $500 holding fee. > [@Mangetout](#): > > I can think of some really dark answers to this that are orders of magnitude worse than anything posted so far, but I think posting them would be contrary to both board rules and common decency. Ah, but they _would_ be worse, wouldn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/13 "2005-12-21T15:58:42Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > Don’t tempt me. They were supposed to come Friday evening - meaning we could have a GI party Friday morning to make the hose ready. What’s a GI party? One with lots of returning troops? One where the digestive system is celebrated? And what preparations have to be done with the hose? Do the leaks need to be mended, or something? And what would that have to do with soldiers or your food metabolism? I’m confused, here. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/14 "2005-12-21T16:02:35Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > Ah, but they _would_ be worse, wouldn’t they? I’m afraid you’ll have to take my word for it, or not - either way, they’ll be staying beneath the trapdoor in my brain. People think bad things when I let these monsters out for exercise. ---
**Author:** ![kelvinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@kelvinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelvinator)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/15 "2005-12-21T17:54:24Z")
> [@Scribble](#): > > What’s a GI party? One with lots of returning troops? One where the digestive system is celebrated? And what preparations have to be done with the hose? Do the leaks need to be mended, or something? And what would that have to do with soldiers or your food metabolism? I’m confused, here. If a GI party does involve the digestive tract, I don’t want to think about why you’d want a hose! :eek: With friends like that, who needs enemas. Sorry, couldn’t resist ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/16 "2005-12-21T18:46:31Z")
Despite having finally won, I still have many, many battle scars from the Dating Wars. “No” was pretty devastating all on its own, without any embellishment. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/17 "2005-12-21T18:48:06Z")
“Car seat? Children don’t need car seats! Who cares if they get into an accident?” ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/18 "2005-12-21T19:04:04Z")
> [@Scribble](#): > > What’s a GI party? One with lots of returning troops? One where the digestive system is celebrated? And what preparations have to be done with the hose? Do the leaks need to be mended, or something? And what would that have to do with soldiers or your food metabolism? I’m confused, here. A GI party is basically a house cleaning party. Top to bottom. Everyone works. No lolly-gagging. It was a term my father would use. In college, my Fraternity would hold regular Saturday morning GI parties - particularly before mixers and parents’ day. As to the hose - well, that’s a product of spell-check checking the words I wrote, rather than the words I meant to write. ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/19 "2005-12-21T19:06:46Z")
I know I’m not in the spirit of the thread, but you might want to consider families that have one car seat and two cars and what they do? ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619/20 "2005-12-21T21:01:46Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > They were supposed to come Friday evening - meaning we could have a GI party Friday morning to make the hose ready. “It puts the car seat in the basket or it gets the hose again.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-they-could-say/336619.md?page=2)