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Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 19, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I suppose I should have said "in urban Dublin" rather than "Ireland". I can imagine lots of entirely legitimate reasons someone living in the countryside might have to carry a knife around with them.

Pocket knives/pen knives are useful, you never realise it until you need to cut something and realise you are not in reach of anything like scissors etc.

People used to routinely carry knives because they'd be cutting up their plug tobacco to put in their pipes. Those days are long, long gone though!

I see people smoking pipes quite often, but it's been a long time since I saw someone (other than my grandfather) using one to smoke tobacco.

Aye, it's fair to say it would be a bit more unusual in Belfast, unless you are a tradesman of some sort. Or just handy.

Right. The one person in my immediate social circle I can imagine showing up to a party with a blade would be my cousin who does landscaping work. But even if he did, I'd much rather he leave it in the van, especially if he's going to have drink or drugs taken (which he almost always will).