# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1300&period=all&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1301 --- ## [New Smartphone - What To Do With It](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-smartphone-what-to-do-with-it/704619)
**Author:** [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2014, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-smartphone-what-to-do-with-it/704619 "2014-11-20T14:00:25Z")
I have a brand-new smartphone. A Google/LG Nexus 5, to be exact. I’ve never had a smartphone before. What are some cool/fun/useful things I can do with it? What are the must-have apps? Surprising things a smartphone… --- ## [Laurel and Hardy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laurel-and-hardy/619668)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laurel-and-hardy/619668 "2012-07-30T05:07:08Z")
Amazing how so many years later and their stuff can still make me laugh. Anyone else a fan? What’s your favorite short and/or movie? I like some of their silent ones, but I think they really hit their stride when they … --- ## [Reasonable number of guests at a baby shower](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-number-of-guests-at-a-baby-shower/369576)
**Author:** [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-number-of-guests-at-a-baby-shower/369576 "2019-07-01T14:28:48Z")
Whats the maximum number of guests that is reasonable to expect a mother in law and sister in laws to have to a baby shower? Somebody is being throwing a baby shower by a friend that includes 35 workers. This is shower … --- ## [Rejected Amazon Review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejected-amazon-review/966562)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejected-amazon-review/966562 "2022-11-21T19:15:10Z")
I recently purchased and reviewed a back scratcher from Amazon. I gave the item 5 stars. The review was simple: “Pricey But a Great Back Scratcher” “VERY scratchy and a bit pricey, but this works great.” A day or two… --- ## [How much of me came from the Big Bang?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-me-came-from-the-big-bang/677477)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-me-came-from-the-big-bang/677477 "2014-01-01T21:02:50Z")
So, about how much of the matter of which I am composed was created in the Big Bang? All of it? Or is matter being created all the time since then, allowing me to include some of this post-bang matter? --- ## [To H\*LL with Pretentious restaurants!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-h-ll-with-pretentious-restaurants/443718)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-h-ll-with-pretentious-restaurants/443718 "2008-04-05T16:37:19Z")
Just a bit of a rant, but I don’t understand why these new restaurants have to arrange your food in such bizarre ways. Case in point :a recent meal at a new place-$85 bought me; -an enormous plate (18” diameter), with a… --- ## [How much better is a martial-arts master then just a well-trained fighter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-better-is-a-martial-arts-master-then-just-a-well-trained-fighter/426319)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2007, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-better-is-a-martial-arts-master-then-just-a-well-trained-fighter/426319 "2007-11-29T13:12:43Z")
Inspired by the “Kung-Fu school” thread: If you devoted your life to some school of body/mind/spirit discipline like the legendary Shaolin Monks, could you really be that much better a fighter than someone who simply de… --- ## [A question about computer programming: What's wrong with mutable variables?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-programming-whats-wrong-with-mutable-variables/691371)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-computer-programming-whats-wrong-with-mutable-variables/691371 "2014-06-23T04:10:56Z")
I have little real background with computer programming. Played around with BASIC and Pascal in high school, played around with Python a few years ago. I understand the idea of object oriented programming. I’m saddled wi… --- ## [What still-spoken language has changed the least?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-still-spoken-language-has-changed-the-least/423389)
**Author:** [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2007, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-still-spoken-language-has-changed-the-least/423389 "2007-11-08T01:27:10Z")
What language has changed the least in the past… say… 1000 years? I know Olde (I like that spelling) English is pretty much incomprehensible to me. Although I’ve never heard it mentioned, I see no reason that there isn… --- ## [If you could get rid of any state...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-get-rid-of-any-state/801724)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-get-rid-of-any-state/801724 "2017-11-22T19:00:08Z")
Which one would it be, and why? --- ## [The Christian Republic of Dixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-republic-of-dixie/611016)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christian-republic-of-dixie/611016 "2012-02-03T02:12:05Z")
Let’s see, unlikely future hypothetical… Let’s try IMHO. I’m postulating a near-future breakaway of Dixie from the USA, under a name like The Christian Republic of Dixie. (Yes, I know some people would insist on using t… --- ## [Do Girls Get PMS Before Their VERY FIRST Period?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-girls-get-pms-before-their-very-first-period/52252)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2001, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-girls-get-pms-before-their-very-first-period/52252 "2001-02-12T16:50:16Z")
The reason I ask is that one of my sixth-graders at church was in an unusually sour mood last night; very out-of-character for her. She is normally a very polite, calm, obedient and chipper girl. Last night she was irrit… --- ## [Why would a guy treat my friend this way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-guy-treat-my-friend-this-way/432047)
**Author:** [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-guy-treat-my-friend-this-way/432047 "2008-01-05T00:44:06Z")
Need your opinions on this situation; warning, a bit long! One of my very best girlfriends (NOT me!!) just encountered the most bizarre treatment by her boyfriend (well, as far as she is concerned, EX-boyfriend). I’m i… --- ## [I am not feeling well, but I am hungry. What should I eat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-feeling-well-but-i-am-hungry-what-should-i-eat/413936)
**Author:** [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-feeling-well-but-i-am-hungry-what-should-i-eat/413936 "2007-08-04T05:04:43Z")
I have had an upset stomach all day, and have not eaten since this morning, but now I am starving. Nothing sounds edible, but I need to eat. What do you dopers suggest munching on when you are sick? --- ## [The correct interpretation of American Psycho (the book/novel)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-correct-interpretation-of-american-psycho-the-book-novel/629583)
**Author:** [@HansGrosse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HansGrosse)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-correct-interpretation-of-american-psycho-the-book-novel/629583 "2012-07-28T17:18:02Z")
I’ve read the book and the novel too but some things confuse me. It seems obvious to me that this is a criticism of materialism and yuppie society, but I don’t understand his mentality. He seems so self-loathing that he… --- ## [Do universities and hospitals typically pay taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-universities-and-hospitals-typically-pay-taxes/295308)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-universities-and-hospitals-typically-pay-taxes/295308 "2015-02-10T19:03:44Z")
I live in a small town that is dominated by a hospital and a small university. Together, they take up more than 50% of the city. The city itself is hemmed in by other municipalities, so can’t grow. From what I can gather… --- ## [Has TSA screening at US airports stopped a single terroristic plot since its establishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tsa-screening-at-us-airports-stopped-a-single-terroristic-plot-since-its-establishment/827429)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tsa-screening-at-us-airports-stopped-a-single-terroristic-plot-since-its-establishment/827429 "2019-01-17T00:37:22Z")
As asked in the thread title? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk --- ## [Advice? My baby is a terrible sleeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-my-baby-is-a-terrible-sleeper/454047)
**Author:** [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2008, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-my-baby-is-a-terrible-sleeper/454047 "2008-07-29T04:12:43Z")
My kid’s five and a half months old, and has screaming fits almost every time he’s put down for a nap, nightly drama about bedtime, and wakes every two hours or less all night. In fact, he’s crying right now. He can (o… --- ## [Is It Time To Oil The Tumbrel-Cart Axles Yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-oil-the-tumbrel-cart-axles-yet/710760)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-oil-the-tumbrel-cart-axles-yet/710760 "2015-01-30T19:39:22Z")
Meet Jeff Greene, poster boy for the 1% of the 1%: --- ## [How much Trump-Russia collusion would it take before you support impeachment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-trump-russia-collusion-would-it-take-before-you-support-impeachment/786381)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-trump-russia-collusion-would-it-take-before-you-support-impeachment/786381 "2017-05-12T19:31:04Z")
Taking the IC at its word that Russia did several things to tip the election in Trump’s favor, including hacking both the GOP and DNC but only leaking the DNC, as well as funding a tidal wave of fake news to misinform pe… --- ## [What is it that they still don't teach you at Business Schools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-they-still-dont-teach-you-at-business-schools/583119)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-they-still-dont-teach-you-at-business-schools/583119 "2011-06-02T20:39:53Z")
Harvard or anywhere? --- ## [How do academics looking for plagiarism define plagiarism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-academics-looking-for-plagiarism-define-plagiarism/673131)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-academics-looking-for-plagiarism-define-plagiarism/673131 "2013-11-09T20:21:36Z")
Hi, I understand plagiarism is passing some text (comment/analysis etc) off as your own, but what if one uses of well-worn phrases or an insight that may be commonplace today without attributing that phrase or insight … --- ## [How far back can doctors' offices bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-can-doctors-offices-bill/589579)
**Author:** [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-can-doctors-offices-bill/589579 "2011-07-21T03:12:18Z")
I had some oral surgery in February of last year. I paid several hundred dollars cash for my portion of the surgery, insurance paid some, the rest was a write-off. I didn’t hear anything until now, my statement skips str… --- ## [Do you believe that Barack Obama has the country's best interest at heart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-that-barack-obama-has-the-countrys-best-interest-at-heart/527627)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-that-barack-obama-has-the-countrys-best-interest-at-heart/527627 "2010-02-06T12:40:05Z")
nspired by this post and this article and Do you believe that George Bush had the country's best interest at heart? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board. So how about it? Do you think President Barack Ob… --- ## ["The 15 warnings signs of tyranny"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-15-warnings-signs-of-tyranny/776928)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-15-warnings-signs-of-tyranny/776928 "2017-01-13T21:55:45Z")
From Robert Reich, a former U.S. Secretary of Labor, professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley Has DJT missed any? Take notes now, because in a decade or so, there will be theses, disserta… --- ## [Two students turn in identical assignments: what should I do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-students-turn-in-identical-assignments-what-should-i-do/331506)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2005, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-students-turn-in-identical-assignments-what-should-i-do/331506 "2005-11-21T08:03:26Z")
I am not a first-time instructor, but it is the first time this has happened to me: two students turned in absolutely identical assignments, down to formatting and everything. The syllabus expressly prohibits working to… --- ## [So go figure... I'm gay.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-go-figure-im-gay/303463)
**Author:** [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2005, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-go-figure-im-gay/303463 "2005-05-13T19:51:16Z")
Funny, I never got the memo. :dubious: Turns out that because I was hired by a gay man, because I dress well and smell good, because I wear a thumb ring and don’t talk about sports; ergo, I must be gay. In fact there… --- ## [Did working women make it impossible to support a family on one income?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-working-women-make-it-impossible-to-support-a-family-on-one-income/404887)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-working-women-make-it-impossible-to-support-a-family-on-one-income/404887 "2007-05-29T18:47:55Z")
The thread on “Prom Babies” was sliding off into this question, and I think it’s a good question and wanted to explore it further without encouraging the hijack. The house I live in was bought new in 1928 by a machine f… --- ## [Loaning a Car to a Family Member - Pitfalls to be Aware of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loaning-a-car-to-a-family-member-pitfalls-to-be-aware-of/587000)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loaning-a-car-to-a-family-member-pitfalls-to-be-aware-of/587000 "2011-06-30T16:37:53Z")
We’re about to (all things working out) buy a new car, and we will have an extra old car that is still in perfect running condition that we wouldn’t get any money for if we tried to sell it (a 1999 Tercel - it’ll probabl… --- ## [How long is too long for a domain name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-for-a-domain-name/588309)
**Author:** [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-is-too-long-for-a-domain-name/588309 "2016-04-08T14:30:59Z")
My mom is starting a business this fall. Unfortunately the domain for the business name is parked by some dude that wants way too much money for it. The company name is already 6 syllables long, so we figured we would a… --- ## [Deceased G.O.P. Strategist’s Hard Drives Reveal New Details on the Census Citizenship Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceased-g-o-p-strategist-s-hard-drives-reveal-new-details-on-the-census-citizenship-question/834787)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceased-g-o-p-strategist-s-hard-drives-reveal-new-details-on-the-census-citizenship-question/834787 "2019-07-11T20:04:43Z")
The documents are cited in a court filing by opponents of the citizenship question. --- ## [What "American" activities would Japanese high school exchange students want to engage in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-american-activities-would-japanese-high-school-exchange-students-want-to-engage-in/782364)
**Author:** [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2017, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-american-activities-would-japanese-high-school-exchange-students-want-to-engage-in/782364 "2017-03-24T06:18:45Z")
A friend of mine is hosting some Japanese high school exchange students for a few weeks here in the Seattle area. And those kids must be entertained. Of course, since they are in America, they must be entertained in a … --- ## [I offer you a bout of Mao.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-offer-you-a-bout-of-mao/438570)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2008, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-offer-you-a-bout-of-mao/438570 "2008-04-20T14:22:22Z")
Mao is a simple game. You each get an amount of cards. Each turn, you may play a card, as long as it is in accordance with the rules. Hi, Opal! There are other rules besides those. But i’m not going to tell you them. … --- ## [Great mustaches/facial hair in sports.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-mustaches-facial-hair-in-sports/548736)
**Author:** [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-mustaches-facial-hair-in-sports/548736 "2010-08-31T16:20:21Z")
There’s Rollie Fingers, of course, and Goose Gossage. Probably the best hockey one was Lanny McDonald. What other ones can you think of? --- ## [The economics of adult entertainment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775 "2008-12-15T20:54:18Z")
I have a close friend who has a close relative who’s just gone into the porn world as an actor (he’s a straight male but the porn is both gay and straight- he tops, so there’s that “I’m not gay” dichotomy). Anyway, the … --- ## [Why are there no more divine events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-no-more-divine-events/653266)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-no-more-divine-events/653266 "2013-03-22T07:01:24Z")
I was thinking about this the other day. To my knowledge, there haven’t been any large-scale divine events recorded since any of the holy books of the current religions of the world. People can argue that the Japanese t… --- ## [Is it legal to receive sex for payment of services?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-receive-sex-for-payment-of-services/338427)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-receive-sex-for-payment-of-services/338427 "2006-01-05T17:30:34Z")
The reason I ask is because I was just wondering. :wink: Say I was to do some electrical work for a lady friend and she offered to pay me with sexual favors instead of cash. How close to prostitution would this be? Wh… --- ## [Do you put salt on your pizza?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-put-salt-on-your-pizza/694282)
**Author:** [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-put-salt-on-your-pizza/694282 "2014-08-01T00:21:02Z")
Or on any other (IMHO) inherently, already-salty foods? The notion is incomprehensible to me - I love pizza as much as the next woman, but pizza, fast-food burgers, fries, canned soup and other such foods already seem t… --- ## [Houston idiot arrested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houston-idiot-arrested/937847)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houston-idiot-arrested/937847 "2021-03-31T21:38:50Z")
For not wearing a mask. This video is hilarious. Love the part where she yells “this is police brutality” and the crowd, as if practiced, responded, “No it isn’t!” --- ## [Some calls may be recorded for quality assurance purposes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-calls-may-be-recorded-for-quality-assurance-purposes/510232)
**Author:** [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-calls-may-be-recorded-for-quality-assurance-purposes/510232 "2009-09-17T17:59:03Z")
Or: "How would you like a swift kick in the nuts, asshole?" Sometimes our tech support call center gets backed up, so our service call center will farm out certain calls to us field service techs. These calls are usuall… --- ## [Ever have someone react badly to your amusing anecdotes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-someone-react-badly-to-your-amusing-anecdotes/515223)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-someone-react-badly-to-your-amusing-anecdotes/515223 "2010-01-05T05:24:50Z")
Case 1: All through my childhood I had a small dog, about the size of a cat. When I was in high school, we didn’t let him in the house. He usually slept in a box in the garage. One day, a cat showed up. Our dog and the c… --- ## [On Table Manners And Eating Pancakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-table-manners-and-eating-pancakes/783750)
**Author:** [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-table-manners-and-eating-pancakes/783750 "2017-04-07T15:09:49Z")
So there is the ongoing, endless debate about whether to eat food European Style (fork in left hand, knife in right) or American style (knife in left hand, fork in right, switching the fork as needed). It has often been… --- ## [Can anyone confirm or refute this comment about Arabic culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-confirm-or-refute-this-comment-about-arabic-culture/532664)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-confirm-or-refute-this-comment-about-arabic-culture/532664 "2010-03-18T18:24:13Z")
In a conversation on the radio this morning, I caller claimed that hospitality is very important in Arabic culture. He went on to claim that, when entertaining guests at home, it was common for hosts to hide all their “… --- ## [Have your animals ever stolen food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-your-animals-ever-stolen-food/474589)
**Author:** [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-your-animals-ever-stolen-food/474589 "2008-12-03T18:36:38Z")
My sister-in-law sent me this Hallmark E-card. It reminds me of A Christmas Story, when the dogs steal the entire turkey. My own dog, Lucy, once ate half a cake that was on the counter, without spilling it onto the flo… --- ## [Oh, no! Obama Imposes One-World Gov't On US!!1! (Interpol Exec order)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-no-obama-imposes-one-world-govt-on-us-1-interpol-exec-order/523079)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-no-obama-imposes-one-world-govt-on-us-1-interpol-exec-order/523079 "2010-01-01T01:16:15Z")
I was alerted to this latest threat to democracy by this page, which breathlessly infomrs me that President Obama has issued a new Executive Order that is ultimately… and will lead to Perhaps so, although the discuss… --- ## [Gibraltar, the UK and Spain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gibraltar-the-uk-and-spain/675373)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gibraltar-the-uk-and-spain/675373 "2013-12-14T00:21:38Z")
What should British policy be? What should Spanish policy be? I doubt it’ll ever become a shooting war, but this kind of dispute doesn’t always end well. --- ## [Publishers rejected classics in disguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publishers-rejected-classics-in-disguise/700486)
**Author:** [@Don\_Simus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Simus)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publishers-rejected-classics-in-disguise/700486 "2014-10-08T16:51:11Z")
In five independent experiments the publishers rejected literary classics submitted as work of unknown authors http://ecclesiastes911.net/publishers\_rejected\_classics\_in\_disguise/ --- ## ["Teams in the Toilet" - The 0-16 NFL Season Thread (2012 ed.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teams-in-the-toilet-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2012-ed/634898)
**Author:** [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teams-in-the-toilet-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2012-ed/634898 "2012-11-19T16:48:28Z")
Getting a bit of a late start this season, sorry. At least it lets slightly less-worse teams get out of the running before we even begin. The goal here is to buckle down and go perfect, just like the old Bucs and the rec… --- ## [Who'll be the GOP presidential candidate in 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wholl-be-the-gop-presidential-candidate-in-2020/770057)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2016, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wholl-be-the-gop-presidential-candidate-in-2020/770057 "2016-11-02T10:07:05Z")
I don’t think it would be any of the ones who failed in the primaries, losing to Trump. The party will want someone fresh, but who still has experience in government, someone who actually knows how to conduct themself i… --- ## [Recipes from your state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipes-from-your-state/658087)
**Author:** [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipes-from-your-state/658087 "2013-06-23T20:16:40Z")
My daughter (age 9) and I always have a summer project. This summer I was thinking she is old enough to start really cooking. Our project is to cook something from each state. I figured it would be fun and educational. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1299&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1301&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)