HIGH LIFE : Rules of Thumb: Some May Actually Work

“A ‘rule of thumb’ is a homemade recipe for making a guess,” writes Tom Parker in his book of compilations, “Rules of Thumb 2.”

“It is an easy-to-remember guide that falls somewhere between a mathematical formula and a shot in the dark.

“Frankly, I can’t say that all of these rules of thumb work. Some would be pretty hard to test. Consider these a treasury of private inventions that work for the people who sent them in.”

Developing Good Judgment: Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.

--Fred Brooks, University of North Carolina, in “Communications of the ACM”

The Slinky Rule: Never buy more than one Slinky because they eventually will become intertwined.

--Amy Steinberg, Louisville, Ky.

Using the Drive-Up Window: If there are more than three cars in line ahead of you at a bank or fast-food drive-up window, you’ll save time if you get out of the car and go inside.

--Bill Lowe, Birmingham, Ala.

Driving Defensively: You should drive as if you are playing a video game with your last quarter. After 10 minutes of this, you will have a better idea what defensive driving is all about.

--Gerald Gutlipp, mathematician, Chicago

The Album Rule of Singles: On a pop or rock music album, the first and second songs on side A, the first song on side B, and the title track (if there is one and it doesn’t fit into any of the other three categories) will be released as singles.

--Chris Carter, East Lansing, Mich.

Shortening Your Life With Cigarettes: Each cigarette you smoke shortens your life by the amount of time you took to smoke it plus 10 minutes.

--Gerry M. Flick, M.D., ship’s surgeon, SS Constitution

Falling Asleep to Music: If you want to fall asleep with the stereo on, turn the volume down to a level that is too quiet for when you are awake. In less than five minutes, that level will feel comfortable, but if you’re still awake in 15 minutes, you may have to turn the volume down again.

--Rusty Cartmill, student, University of Georgia

Following Fashions: When a popular phenomenon reaches the cover of Time, it is already out of fashion.

--Richard L. Holloway, associate professor, University of Minnesota

Growing Fingernails: The longer your fingers, the faster your nails grow.

--Scott Parker, Beaumont, Tex.

“The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it.”

--Napoleon (1769-1821)