Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 April 26

= April 26 =

3 book collection I am looking for
My father when I was young had a 3 book collection of a "series" I remember the type of each of the books they were both separated by "Location" "thing(like a monster or a weird beast)" or I think the 3rd was "vehicles" but I am not for certain. each book was black cover and they were hard back. My father would never let me read them because he said they were scary but I read some of them anyway. I remember that in the "monster" book there was some sort of beast that may have been a worm or a mole like creature that lived the western united states that was in a desert. I hope this information was sort of useful please help me relive some lost childhood moments. I also do not know how old they were I read the books between 1994-2004. thank you very much — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.16.47.115 (talk) 03:05, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Should be at Reference desk/Humanities. ¦ Reisio (talk) 06:16, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

Quoting from Hyperphysics
I suppose many here are familiar with this good academic physics site. I'm trying to find out if the use of the stuff contained therein, including figures, are free to cite and use within the framework of writing a paper. My previous appeals to addresses found there weren't answered as yet. Thank you, BentzyCo (talk) 04:27, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * No one can stop you from citing them. But regarding reuse, the website explicitly retains all rights to the content it hosts. There is a such a thing as fair use which allows you to republish content without permission, but whether that applies in your case is a legal question we can't provide an answer to. Someguy1221 (talk) 04:39, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * My intention is to reuse a couple of figures in the paper I'm talking about. "Citing" isn't a question of course, otherwise no scientific discussion would take place. BentzyCo (talk) 09:13, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Your options are: A) wait for his permission; B) find similar figures somewhere else; C) make your own figures that are not simply derivatives of his; D) claim fair use and hope no one sues you. If you want to know if a fair use claim is valid for your purposes, you'll have to find a lawyer. Other websites have laxer rules on providing legal advice than we do, but you may not want to take it from strangers on the internet. Someguy1221 (talk) 09:28, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Option C) is normally fairly easy in physics as Copyright is mainly about presentation not factual content. Just think about the content and do your own presentation being especially careful to avoid copying the style or any artistic element. Dmcq (talk) 12:09, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

Europe SVG map with capitals
Hi, I would need a SVG map of Europe, including capitals. SVG is needed, since I need to be able to remove cities easily. Where could I find one? --Olli (talk) 12:49, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I'd start here. -- Jayron  32  14:54, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * hi, what one would you recommedn ?--Olli (talk) 16:25, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Does File:Europe.svg work for you? Looie496 (talk) 16:49, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * It's a better old looking but, if there is no better alternative available, I need to take it. --Olli (talk) 17:00, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

Crossing Legs in America?
I am relatively new to American culture/society. I am a male in my 20s. Often times when I sit down and cross my legs in public [] such as shown in the attached image, my friends like to make fun of me and attribute my leg crossing as an effeminate and even "homosexual" behavior. However, when I watch on TV, many strong, heterosexual male figures such as President Obama or Bush or Rumsfeld, all like to cross their legs similar to what women do when they sit down. My question is, is it ok for males to cross their legs when sitting down? Is it considered an effeminate behavior in America? The Ayatollah (talk) 19:53, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * I have heard people say that, I think, but personally I don't worry about it. The figure-four leg cross, where your left ankle sits on top of your knee, may be considered slightly more "masculine" (and I also think it's more comfortable).  But basically, do what you like; it shouldn't be a problem unless you're around fairly silly people. --Trovatore (talk) 19:57, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Oh, I should also point out that the figure-four is a little bit casual. You probably shouldn't use it in a business meeting, unless you're a West Coast software developer :-). --Trovatore (talk) 20:04, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Funny, all the men I know (and women, of course) cross their legs. But in high school a fight broke out in the cafeteria because one of the vocational school students called one of the high school students a fag for crossing his legs.  It struck me as hugely weird at the time, and I have come to the conclusion the vocational school boy had probably been emotionally abused by his father.  Total OR, but a relevant anecdote, I think.  Personally, I fold my legs.  This has freaked out some black folk as "unnatural" on occasion )apparently there's a difference in leg structure) but I have never heard a guy doing it told he was effeminate.  The one thing you don't want to do as a woman, if you care, is sit with your legs widespread--that is taken as butch or lascivious or both.  μηδείς (talk) 20:29, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * What does it mean to "fold" your legs? --Trovatore (talk) 20:45, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Most men don't cross their legs, mainly from convention, but usually because their penis and testicles are constricted in doing so. This can be painful and medically potentially dangerous. The Rambling Man (talk) 20:38, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * From a body language perspective it's [the "figure four" pose; not the tightly crossed one] a vulnerable position, and it also presents your package to the room, both of which are dominating behaviors. I even think Dale Carnegie briefly mentions crossing the legs in "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Shadowjams (talk) 20:46, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * You might get a chuckle out of Body Language For Dummies, page 45 (no I don't own it). Shadowjams (talk) 20:51, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * I think it depends on the shape of the man's legs. If your thighs are rather muscular, crossing your legs as in the OP's photo can be uncomfortable. I know that for me it's uncomfortable because it puts tension on the knee that is doing the crossing and also uncomfortable due to the constriction of my genitals. Dismas |(talk) 20:52, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * It may be a matter of social milieu. In elite American circles, and particularly in more formal settings, the knee-over-knee pose is fairly standard and unremarkable among men. Below the upper middle class, though, it is mainly women who sit in that pose, so if you are in a mid-brow to low-brow environment and care about others' reactions, you might avoid it. Marco polo (talk) 21:13, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Wow, knee-over-the-knee is "standard" for American men?! Perhaps they feel okay strangling their testes!  The Rambling Man (talk) 21:15, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * I like ankle-on-knee because it takes pressure off my spine, not because I'm trying to dominate anyone. Some may think that indicates a more general problem with my posture, and they could be right. --Trovatore (talk) 21:23, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Knee over knee only squashes your testicles if you are an idiot, and don't move them out of the way first. -- Jayron  32  21:29, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Or if you have large testicles. I don't think suggesting that all men with large testicles attempting this are "idiots" is appropriate.  The Rambling Man (talk) 21:31, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * As Trovatore says. Don't worry about it. If they are truly your friends, then all they are doing is taking the Mickey. Friendship, in any society revolves around common shared values. If you display 'power posses' or utter polysyllabic words or do anything else that separates you from their 'norm'  -they will point it out.  That doesn't mean you have to slavishly adopt the modus of when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Just acknowledge their observations and let them know in return that you know this behavior is one of your idiosyncrasies and  that these  postures are a nurtured  part of you. Then get back to talking bout the Red Sox or whatever you where talking about before someone noticed you crossed your legs. Aspro (talk) 21:27, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * (ec)It does not speak well of Americans that these idiotic, antique body-language stereotypes are still given currency. I'm reminded of a film clip of Babe Ruth, having just hit an infamous home run against the Cubs, waving his hand at their bench. It occurred to me that that gesture nowadays would probably be labeled "effeminate". Although if you called the Babe "effeminate" to his face, you wouldn't do it more than once, because he would probably flatten you with one punch. On the other hand, if you want to see real effeminate behavior, find any recent interview with Johnny Wier. If you called him effeminate, he'd probably say, "And your point is... what?" The moral of the story is, don't worry about your body language. You know what your orientation is, and those who care about you know what your orientation is, and that's all that matters. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:30, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * I prefer to sit "Indian style" (both legs crossed, up on the couch), without shoes.  But, since this freaks many people out, I tend to only do so when alone (I'm sitting that way now).  I find knee-over-knee crossed legs to be quite uncomfortable, as my legs go numb quickly, and it also seems effeminate, to me.  I will sometimes do the "figure 4" cross, when in public. StuRat (talk) 21:37, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * That still freaks me out, even if you're  only alone whilst doing it.  Just at the thought of it,  I can close my eyes and almost hear the Om mani padme hum :-)Aspro (talk) 21:56, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * My little nephews call that "criss-cross applesauce" &mdash; I suspect that the term "Indian style" may no longer be PC. Not that I really care much, of course.
 * To me, Indian style is a little uncomfortable because my shins bang against each other. I prefer the half-lotus when I'm sitting on the ground &mdash; right leg underneath me, and again, left ankle on top. --Trovatore (talk) 21:43, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Hehehe. Apparently only white people not afraid of offending homophobes and other races can do this as a matter of simplicity. μηδείς (talk) 21:42, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * I am surprised to learn President Obama has a small penis and testicles. In any case, this is what I meant by sitting with legs folded (ignore the arms), although her abs are much better than mine.  I believe it's also called lotus position, although I was never taught it. μηδείς (talk) 21:40, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * That's not the lotus. The lotus has both feet on top.  Half-lotus, which I find most comfortable, has just one foot on top. --Trovatore (talk) 21:48, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Obama is slender, which also figures into the equation. As regards the lotus position, I find it very unnatural and painful. But you go with whatever works or feels right. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:42, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Maybe it's an American thing then. Most men I know in the UK don't habitually cross their legs. The Rambling Man (talk) 21:48, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Oh. Really! Then watch this . Its only 40 seconds long.Aspro (talk) 22:02, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * An entirely different phenomenon. Perhaps worth a new thread.... when men see sausages being sliced hard with a sharp knife, or witness other men being struck in the "privates", they naturally cross their legs (defend their "crown jewels") as a defensive instinct.  The Rambling Man (talk) 22:07, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

Is this section 25 days late? People around the world sit however they feel comfortable - if there is no space in front of your chair, it is likely that crossing your legs is difficult. Otherwise - who cares? Never in my life have I heard of crossing legs being associated with sexual proclivity at all. Collect (talk) 22:01, 26 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Depends where you grew up, maybe. I recall various types of body language and mannerisms that were labeled "queer" (now they would be labeled "gay" or whatever), like the antique joke about how "queers" wear green shirts on Thursday, or something like that. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 22:12, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Maybe not green shirts, but a green carnation in one's lapel has signified a certain something ever since the publication of this book in 1894. OTOH, what the boys in this band are trying to tell us is anyone's guess.  --   Jack of Oz   [Talk]  23:05, 26 April 2013 (UTC)

I actually find it interesting how many people have not heard negative associations with men crossing their legs, specifically at the knee. I probably became self conscious about crossing my own legs in middle school due to the conception people had that doing so was effeminate. You can see the knee-over-knee cross described as "Crossing your legs like a woman" here. I don't subscribe to this thought, and I certainly don't think it is an "American" belief, but rather one that individual groups pick up on, usually young kids. Once kids finished puberty, I think they stopped caring, so I'm a bit surprised that you still heard it mentioned by 20 somethings. Ryan Vesey 23:19, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * To the original poster, I did a test once, and I asked a guy why he sits with his legs crossed. He spread his legs wide and said, "Would you rather I sit like this?" That's absolutely true and I still crack up at it. I sit with my legs crossed, always have, during business or formal or (sometimes) uncomfortable situations—in which case, crossing legs might be the same as crossing arms and is considered as "blocking" one's self. When lounging at a friends house, I sit like a man watching basketball on TV. – Kerαu noςco pia ◁ gala xies 23:26, 26 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Newsflash. Social animals that sexually reproduce occasionally do uncomfortable things in pursuit of other goals. Shadowjams (talk) 02:07, 27 April 2013 (UTC)

Thank you everyone for the responses. I just want to clarify my purpose for asking the question. I understand that I should do what I feel is comfortable and not be restrained by social conventions/norms, however, having grown up in many foreign countries, I have often been the target of ridicule and teasing as a result of not understanding or appreciating these cultural conventions.

Perhaps this is a limited sample size, but on my college campus in NY state, I very rarely see heterosexual male students cross their legs over the knees. To be sure, I do see the ankle-over-knee leg cross, but that is often only reserved for casual environments. However, this no longer becomes the case when I study how professors and older university officials behave; many of them will indeed cross their legs over the knees when sitting down at various receptions or etc...

In terms of practical significance, I would like to position myself in the best possible posture for social courtship. It appears to me from anecdotal observations that many American college women find it "weird" that men cross their legs over the knees and therefore they hold diminished romantic interests in these men.

For additional clarification, neither my penis nor testes are too large to allow for an knee-over-knee position if positioned properly.

The Ayatollah (talk) 03:22, 27 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I'd reiterate that your are entirely unlikely to draw any attention sitting that way from educated people, unless you are wearing flamboyant clothing or eyeliner, or doing otherwise effeminate things. The one thing many foreigners do that does make Americans uncomfortable is sit and talk too close, invading their body space.  A good rule of thumb when conditions are not crowded is to make sure you sit far enough away from a person so that you wouldn't be able (or might just be able) to touch their face with an outstretched arm. μηδείς (talk) 16:56, 27 April 2013 (UTC)


 * One little addendum: I don't think you can draw conclusions about the size of anyone's genitals from how he crosses his legs. Discomfort with an over-the-knee cross is much more about the tightness of one's trousers (e.g., it won't work for most men while wearing tight jeans) than about one's endowment. 192.251.134.5 (talk) 16:04, 29 April 2013 (UTC)