# What Unconventional (but still good) Advice Do You Have? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 12, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691 "2018-02-12T16:08:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/41 "2018-02-14T10:51:16Z")
I realize this doesn’t apply to everyone but: “Your income doesn’t matter – it’s the ratio of income to housing that matters.” In other words, there’s an arts scene, or theater, or some group doing the things you like in every city, and you’ll probably be surprised at the level of sophistication and creativity as well. You’ll have a much happier and stress free life in Wichita\* spending 10% of your income on rent, than in San Francisco forking over 60%. And have much nicer digs to boot. From a (friendly) argument with a Seattle friend struggling with their insane housing costs. Friend: “But pullin, I can see Mount Rainier every day on the way to work”. Me: “You’re staring at the car in front of you, just like me – and I can see Mount Rainier from my airplane window if I want.” Friend: “Yeah, but you have to buy an airline ticket to do it.” Me: "You’re not grasping the words _my airplane_. " 😉 My claim is always: Disposable income adds far more to your life being than able to dine/see “the” trendy restaurant/theatre/sights/etc. \*Substitute any reasonably sized city; Cincinnati, San Antonio, Tulsa, you name it. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/42 "2018-02-14T14:14:38Z")
I’d rather take the time to do it right rather than take the time to fix the mistake. And if you are wrong ADMIT IT! The “yeah, buts” of the world are not worth wasting your time on. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/43 "2018-02-14T14:31:19Z")
My brother told me a long time ago, “if you go anywhere that has a boat ride, take it.” That has proven to be great advice over the years. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/44 "2018-02-14T14:48:30Z")
From the woman who cared for my son when I went back to work after my maternity leave- “[As a parent], you have to say no so often, say yes whenever you can” It’s actually pretty good life advice- say yes to as much as you can. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/45 "2018-02-14T16:00:46Z")
If you don’t know what to say, don’t say anything. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/46 "2018-02-14T16:46:08Z")
Google the side effects of every drug you’re taking and all possible interactions. Because God knows, your doctor won’t. Hell, my niece was put on a drug because of her growth issues when she was younger. I googled the drug right there and read off a list of possible side effects. My sister got pretty silent and angry, then said she’d be talking to the doctor about it the next week. Sure enough, my niece was having unpleasant side effects and they pulled her off that drug immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/47 "2018-02-14T17:04:59Z")
When my oldest son was considering not going to college, I pointed out the teeming masses of people working in jobs with their name stitched on the front (me included at the time) and asked him if that was what he wanted to do. He replied in the negative, so I told him ‘Well, if you stay uninformed, you’re likely to end up uniformed.’ He looked puzzled at first, then started to smile as he got the word play. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/48 "2018-02-14T18:04:07Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/49 "2018-02-14T18:04:34Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > Here’s one I heard recently that I’ve been thinking about: > > Don’t persevere - be a quitter. > > Rather than sticking with an activity or endeavor and working really hard at it, try a lot of things until you hit on one for which you have talent. This is contrary to what I’ve always believed, but I wonder if there might be something to it. I’ve said this elsewhere on this board, but I once read some great advice: “Fail fast” The message was that successful people actually make a lot of mistakes (primarily because successful people aren’t afraid to try new things). But, once they make a mistake, they quickly change their behavior to avoid making it again. They don’t continue to put more time and effort into fruitless endeavors, and they don’t dwell on their mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/50 "2018-02-14T19:59:55Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > When my oldest son was considering not going to college, I pointed out the teeming masses of people working in jobs with their name stitched on the front (me included at the time) and asked him if that was what he wanted to do. He replied in the negative, so I told him ‘Well, if you stay uninformed, you’re likely to end up uniformed.’ He looked puzzled at first, then started to smile as he got the word play. I like a lot of what’s been said, but this is my favorite so far ---
**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:** [February 14, 2018, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/51 "2018-02-14T20:13:13Z")
When playing pool, if you \*think \*you need the bridge, you do. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/52 "2018-02-14T20:28:52Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > When my oldest son was considering not going to college, I pointed out the teeming masses of people working in jobs with their name stitched on the front (me included at the time) and asked him if that was what he wanted to do. He replied in the negative, so I told him ‘Well, if you stay uninformed, you’re likely to end up uniformed.’ He looked puzzled at first, then started to smile as he got the word play. Just used this in starting [another thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=849265) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/53 "2018-02-14T20:51:23Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > nm And there^ is the best advice in the entire thread! ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/54 "2018-02-14T20:51:48Z")
If you can’t fight or flee, learn how to flow. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/55 "2018-02-14T21:01:41Z")
When I was a teen, my brother (10 years older) sort of played the father role with me. One thing he said that always stuck with me: “Never talk a fight. If someone gets up in your face, haul off and hit him with everything you’ve got. If he starts to get up, either hit him with something heavy, or run like hell.” I never had to put that into practice, but I thought it was good advice. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/56 "2018-02-14T21:15:40Z")
“Make the system work for _you_.” In a world full of stupid rules, policies and practices, there are often ways of interpreting or working around them to use to your advantage. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/57 "2018-02-14T23:41:51Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > When playing pool, if you \*think \*you need the bridge, you do. Yes, and when playing bridge, if you think you need the pool, wait 'til after the game. Soggy cards are hard to deal. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/58 "2018-02-14T23:51:57Z")
Henry Ford: (as close as I remember) Give the hardest job to the laziest worker, and he’ll find an easier way to get it done. On my toolbox ( before I retired) ``` WARNING!! ``` I paid MONEY for these tools I make MONEY with these tools So Putting your hand into my tool box IS puting your hand into my WALLET!!! ---
**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:** [February 15, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/59 "2018-02-15T00:01:19Z")
When travelling, buy the Lonely Planet guide, find the most highly rated attraction/restaurant/hotel in any town, and head in the opposite direction. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691/60 "2018-02-15T00:04:41Z")
I’ve learned a lot from folks on the SDMB. I learned to be more skeptical than I was. I learned that language changes grammar and spelling over time. The way I learned those things may be obsolete today. Even if I’m right, most mistakes others make are not worth making a fuss over. Dale Carnegie said, before I was born, getting along with people is often more important than being right. _It is still true._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-unconventional-but-still-good-advice-do-you-have/808691.md?page=4)