# What were you THINKING? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532 "2023-10-13T19:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 287
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6023 "2025-12-16T21:03:01Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > I live in Massachusetts and work for a company that has offices all over the country. To me this is definitely a Southern thing. We have a big office about 60 miles from Atlanta and another in Louisiana. I hear it a lot from those folks. Maybe that’s why I don’t remember hearing it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6024 "2025-12-16T21:47:13Z")
Its about boundaries isn’t it? I don’t know if I have ever heard ‘blessed day’ so much, but I do hear similar .. acknowledgements from some of the religious staff at work. Usually in gratitude for what they see as a favour. I take it in the context of a genuine thank you and not as an imposition of their religion on me. It is their way of expressing goodwill to me in the way that is the most meaningful for them. There are times when I do take it as an imposition, such as from strangers, but also from family. Visiting family right now and Ive been expected to hold hands in a circle for saying grace a couple times now before dinner. I really do dislike that. Ill keep quiet while you do your thing, but do not expect me to participate in your ritual. Im obviously not happy about this, so I will have to have a friendly discussion before the next meal to re-establish boundaries. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6025 "2025-12-16T23:49:42Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > They are very, very churchy people and very, very MAGA and cannot seem to distinguish between “good” and “religious and patriotic”. Bible verses in email signatures, meetings that start with a “moment of reflection”, etc Perfection. That’s it exactly. Except I’d replace your “patriotic” with “jingoistic”. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6026 "2025-12-16T23:57:09Z")
I got a receipt from a fast food restaurant that had word for word John 3:16 printed on the long bottom half. It’s a franchise with a national Corp., Dairy Queen. I emailed corporate how offensive I found it. Got a apology letter with actual paper coupons that the very store would not honor. 2nd email from me. Never heard another word. Next time I was there, I got a way shorter receipt with “Have a good day” across the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6027 "2025-12-16T23:57:14Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Now, if some skeevy looking guy tells you “Be sweet”. Run. Fast “Wanna sweet?” is infinitely worse. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6028 "2025-12-17T00:03:23Z")
I mean, it’s the pit, we hijack freely here. But shouldn’t we be sharing in the specific thread? Or is it going on _here_ because you’re all too tired to put up with HMS in that thread? If so, that makes a lot more sense. [On the subject, it’s a minor but noticeable irritation to me and if it was at a business I have no major need to frequent, it might cause me to avoid it. But it’s not _common_ here even in Preachy Colorado Springs outside of businesses I wouldn’t want to go to _anyway_.] ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6029 "2025-12-17T00:11:00Z")
The thread in question is IMHO, not the Pit. Not much more to say under the rules in effect there. FWIW I walk out of overtly xian and overtly MAGA businesses rather regularly. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6030 "2025-12-17T00:15:12Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Or is it going on _here_ because you’re all too tired to put up with HMS in that thread? If so, that makes a lot more sense. He and Deth have completely hijacked that thread with their posts telling everyone else that they are sad and crazy, and agreeing with each other. I left it for that very reason. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6031 "2025-12-17T03:21:33Z")
On the other hand, @puzzlegal is still fighting the good fight, along with 3 or 4 others. DrDeth is starting to weasel, after having his illogic pointed out to him. Same old same old. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6032 "2025-12-17T05:20:47Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > > > Now, if some skeevy looking guy tells you “Be sweet”. Run. Fast > > “Wanna sweet?” is infinitely worse. Mmmm. Nope. “Be sweet” is really scary. “Wanna sweet” depends on context. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6033 "2025-12-17T06:06:29Z")
But “Bee Sweet” sounds like a good name for a company selling honey. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6034 "2025-12-17T09:04:34Z")
And “B-Sweet” sounds like a member of a late-1990s R&B girl’s group. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6035 "2025-12-17T14:45:39Z")
It is 2001 and on the SDMB Americans are debating the works of Ayn Rand at some length. It is 2008 and on the SDMB Americans are debating the works of Ayn Rand at some length. It is 2017 and on the SDMB Americans are debating the works of Ayn Rand at some length. It is 2025 and on the SDMB Americans are debating the works of Ayn Rand at some length. I grow tired etc. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6036 "2025-12-17T14:46:10Z")
Sorry. ---
**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 17, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6037 "2025-12-17T14:52:26Z")
I read the OP when it was posted, gave it a nice big “Nope!” and haven’t looked at it since. Just because it is tired or dumb to you and I, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be there. You have the option of hiding the thread, I cannot. Just click on that 🔔Bell symbol in the thread and choose Muted. Thread is completely gone, not even a place holder left. If you ever want to check your muted threads, this is the link: [https://boards.straightdope.com/latest?state=muted](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest?state=muted) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6038 "2025-12-17T15:08:36Z")
“Never think of pain or danger or repetitive threads a moment longer than is necessary to mute them.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6039 "2025-12-17T15:14:08Z")
Eh. Until English has mutated enough that Rand is as challenging to read to folks then as Shakespeare is to us now, new people will keep discovering her BS and being sucked in by it. There’s also this … We all know the official SD motto: > Fighting ignorance since 1973. It’s taking longer than we thought. Then there is the unofficial SD_MB_ motto: > There is no horse so dead and dismembered that it can’t usefully be beaten yet again. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6040 "2025-12-17T15:16:26Z")
Ayn Rand? That’s the one that wrote about orcs or something? ---
**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 17, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6041 "2025-12-17T15:24:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > There is no horse so dead and dismembered that it can’t usefully be beaten yet again. Actually that changed in 2020. We have laid some dead horses to rest after 47 years. 6 dead horses may no longer be beat. > **Summary** > > > [@New Rules for Great Debates and Elections – January 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-for-great-debates-and-elections-january-2020/845726/1): > > > > **Thrice Told Tales are off limits.** Over the last 20 years, posters in Great Debates and Politics and Elections have debated pretty much everything. As such, there are some contentious issues about which we are tired of hearing. We just don’t want to go around and around about these things any more. In general, we’re just tired of these subjects. It may, however, be that there’s something new under the sun. Posters may start threads on these subjects only with prior approval of a Great Debates or Politics and Elections moderator. If you think you’ve got a new angle on something we’ve discussed a million times and found unpleasant, please feel free to make your case. Getting one approved is a very heavy lift, however. > > > > **Scientific racism** or any particular argument about why any particular group of humans is inherently better than any other group > > > > **Holocaust Denial**. Seriously, guys. If someone wants to seriously debate whether the holocaust occurred, we can safely say they’re not someone we want here > > > > **Encouraging discrimination** against any minority groups. This can include race, gender, sexual orientation or any other group into which a person might belong. Such depresses debate and discussion and in contrary to the goals of Great Debates and Elections > > > > **Men’s Rights Advocacy**. This can include threads about how men are somehow disadvantaged in society, women are somehow genetically inferior or have a predisposition toward specific gender roles and other threads about the ways in which men are somehow naturally entitled to be in charge > > > > **9/11 Truthers**. This includes any information about how either 9/11 didn’t happen, it was a false flag operation by the government or any other idea that denies the events of that day. > > > > **Climate Change Denialism**. We believe the science. While there is room to debate ways to deal with climate change, the existence of such is an observed fact. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6042 "2025-12-17T15:25:54Z")
I read Atlas Shrugged when I was 14 or 15. I loved it and it radically changed my world view. Don’t worry. I got better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=286) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=288)