# COMMON Things on TV/in Movies... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488 "2006-03-22T21:49:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/21 "2006-03-23T09:21:31Z")
> [@Squee](#): > > In any of the various Law & Order shows, people who the police are asking questions to will invaribably walk around/keep doing whatever activity they are doing. Somehow I can’t imagine the police let me get away with such behaviour. But if everyone sits/stands still, the director won’t have an excuse to use the **Shakeycam** ™. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/22 "2006-03-23T09:31:41Z")
> [@Squee](#): > > In any of the various Law & Order shows, people who the police are asking questions to will invaribably walk around/keep doing whatever activity they are doing. Somehow I can’t imagine the police let me get away with such behaviour. Obviously, you don’t know many New Yorkers. ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/23 "2006-03-23T09:37:09Z")
In schools, kids are always milling about in the hallways. The bell rings, and the kids either completely ignore it or start moving toward thier classes. In what universe do teachers not require students to be in class BEFORE the bell rings? I suppose it may be just my own experience, but don’t most teachers know who their students are? So, if a male student decided to cross-dress one day and came to school as a girl, the teacher would notice that there was a new student in the class and that another one was absent? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/24 "2006-03-23T13:53:42Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > I suppose it may be just my own experience, but don’t most teachers know who their students are? So, if a male student decided to cross-dress one day and came to school as a girl, the teacher would notice that there was a new student in the class and that another one was absent? 😕 Where have you seen it portrayed otherwise? I can’t recall any movie or show where a guy comes to class dressed like a girl and the teacher doesn’t notice. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/25 "2006-03-23T14:02:11Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > A couple will have sex with the woman on top of the sheets but under the blanket so when she gets up and takes the blanket with her the man’s still covered by the sheet (or is this just a hetero thing?). It’s just a practical thing (from the director’s POV). On broadcast TV, full-frontal nudity is forbidden. In cable TV and movies, it costs extra. > [@alphaboi867](#): > > High schools never seem to have a dress code, at least for female students. 😕 This is unrealistic? ---
**Author:** ![Elret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Elret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elret)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/26 "2006-03-23T14:06:23Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > In schools, kids are always milling about in the hallways. The bell rings, and the kids either completely ignore it or start moving toward thier classes. In what universe do teachers not require students to be in class BEFORE the bell rings? In my high school, we had first bell and second bell. First bell went off a couple minutes before class started and told you it was time to get going. The teachers expected you in your seat by the time second bell went, which is when class would start. Is that weird? ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/27 "2006-03-23T14:16:14Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > In schools, kids are always milling about in the hallways. The bell rings, and the kids either completely ignore it or start moving toward thier classes. In what universe do teachers not require students to be in class BEFORE the bell rings? Over here, we had a bell that rang to signal “get to lessons”. I don’t know if that was just us or it’s a common UK thing, though. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/28 "2006-03-23T14:17:43Z")
It’s been mentioned before, but 20 year olds with minimum wage jobs can afford $3,000 a month NYC apartments. IRL, they’d be living in a shoebox with 4 other people. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/29 "2006-03-23T14:26:15Z")
I’ve mentioned it many times before: People shoot guns in enclosed spaces. Then they hold a perfectly normal conversation without shouting. ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/30 "2006-03-23T15:36:11Z")
> [@zoogirl](#): > > Hey, I was just thinking about this one! How come women can hop stright into bed with a guy without hitting the bathroom first? Especially if she’s been drinking? Dunno about you, but I always need a pit stop before things, uh, progress. Or how about post-sex? No cleaning up, no disposing of condoms, just roll over and go to sleep. Hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/31 "2006-03-23T16:45:09Z")
And passionate kissing first thing in the morning – even George Clooney must get morning mouth. Gargle and brush, then come on back to bed, honey. **Diceman** mentioned people walking in and out of other people’s houses – plus they don’t close the door behind them. Don’t these people have cats, dogs, and kids that might scoot outside? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/32 "2006-03-23T16:51:55Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I’ve mentioned it many times before: > > People shoot guns in enclosed spaces. Then they hold a perfectly normal conversation without shouting. Exactly…I’d love to see a show where people shoot guns and then spend the next few minutes saying, “Speak up. I just shot a gun.” ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/33 "2006-03-23T17:39:56Z")
> [@trublmakr](#): > > That and the pretense that sex in the pool/bathtub is great. Or even actually works. In reality, ouch. :dubious: Ummm… I wholeheartedly disagree. If it’s not working, it’s not the hot tub or the pool my friend. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/34 "2006-03-23T17:55:57Z")
> [@Jacob Silj](#): > > I have always been amazed at the amount of breakfast food wasted in TV shows and movies. I can’t count the number of times you see Mrs. Cleaver or Keaton preparing some huge spread, then Wally/Beaver/Alex bound down the stairs, sit down for two seconds, take a bite of toast and then say “Gotta go Mom, late for\_\_\_” and all that cooking for naught. This happened in _The Hunt for Red October._ The conspirators all sit down around a meal and argue without eating. Then the captain, (who was smart enough to stuff his face while the others were bitching) tells them, “I’ve got it all figured out. Dismissed.” And they all have to leave five minutes after sitting down and before any of them (apart form the captain) got anything to eat. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/35 "2006-03-23T19:45:48Z")
People get DNA results in about 15 seconds. On soap operas, all medical reports are delivered with the envelopes opened, then left to lie around where anyone can get to them and change the results. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/36 "2006-03-23T20:13:21Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > Yes! I thought that was a New York or L.A. thing, that people who live on the coasts (where so many movies are made) actually do this. Only when I’m really ticked off at someone. However, I will silently drop from conference calls without a word. ---
**Author:** ![Elret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Elret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elret)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/37 "2006-03-23T20:15:25Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > **Diceman** mentioned people walking in and out of other people’s houses – plus they don’t close the door behind them. Don’t these people have cats, dogs, and kids that might scoot outside? Or skeeters or moths or flies that might scoot _inside_? That bugs (heh) me too. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/38 "2006-03-23T20:20:19Z")
> [@aleong](#): > > Sounds like what Jack Bauer typically does in each season of “24”! 😃 I think you meant to say _each **episode** _. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/39 "2006-03-23T20:25:55Z")
> [@Millit the Frail](#): > > Or how about post-sex? No cleaning up, no disposing of condoms, just roll over and go to sleep. Hmmm. Along those same lines, the post - sex, no cleaning up, no disposing of condoms, jump out of bed and get dressed and run off. Just how far would the woman get before she looked like she just peed her pants? What a comfortable feeling that must be, to be carrying the wetspot around in your jeans with you. Ick ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488/40 "2006-03-23T20:36:09Z")
People go to crowded bars or dance clubs and can hear each other talk easily with no shouting. Crowded bars and dance clubs are never 1) really freaking loud, or 2) really freaking dark. Also, people don’t go to a bar, sit down, have a few drinks, and then be told how much it is and pay for it. They just leave some weird number of bills on the bar and go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-things-on-tv-in-movies/349488.md?page=3)