If I am eating salad at home, I use balsamic vinegar, no oil. In a restaurant, if I am with colleagues or on a date, I will order some kind of a vinegarette. If I am with people who I don't worry will judge me I go for ranch.

I agree with the OP - ranch never really tastes the same when you keep it at home. I am particularly fond of the peppercorn ranch dressing served at Max & Erma's.

Besides assorted vinegarettes and ranch, I am very anti-dressing. ESPECIALLY when it comes to bleu-cheese and thousand island.