Quoted from Frax:Yeah, it really depends on exactly what you zap. Some things are far more tolerant than others. If you want to be really safe, sure, use a strap. It won't hurt anything to do so. I've never once used a strap myself....but I've also spent my entire time in pinball with hardwood floors.
Only marginally related, because it does depend on the components and WHERE you zap them, but good for a laugh:
I remember I was an IT summer student an oil company and I got into a big fight with one of the senior analysts because he assumed i was ruining all the ram by not following religious esd methods.
He ended up dumping out a box on the carpet and rubbed them around and asked me which ones still worked.
I wish I had this video !