# Things that are extremely common in TV shows/movies that you've rarely seen in real life **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161 "2009-08-29T16:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/141 "2009-08-30T22:49:37Z")
Any scene in a boys’ lockerroom set in the last 15-20 years that shows the cast in indentical big white towels on their way to/from the showers . Granted the writers are probally drawing on their own experience, but modern students rarely shower after PE. From grades 6-12 (the grades we dressed out) I never saw anyone shower or get naked in the lockerroom, my experiences are consistant with most people my age. I also highly doubt many public schools these days provide a towel service to students even if they do expect them to shower. It’s even stranger when they do the scene with girls instead of boys. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/142 "2009-08-30T23:15:55Z")
CEOs hiring Mafia hitmen. Or having full-time hit men on staff. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/143 "2009-08-31T00:14:28Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > Actually, one thing I really liked about **The Drew Carey Show** was that they regularly laughed at each other’s jokes. Thinking about it, laughing on cue for an “actor” and not having it sound like crap is probably a very hard thing to do. Most of the cast of Drew’s show seem to me to be the rare type that can find humor in just about anything and pull out a natural laugh when required. Maybe that explains the lack of laughter in most tv shows? And oh yeah, years ago when we got takeout chinese, it came in those little white boxes. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/144 "2009-08-31T01:09:20Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > You know those sitcoms that had bachelor auctions? And wackiness always ensued? > > I’ve never seen or heard of a bachelor auction in real life. Bachelor and bachelorette “date” auctions are quite commonly used as fund raisers in many areas. I’ve seen several over the years. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/145 "2009-08-31T01:11:15Z")
> [@maplekiwi](#): > > Same here - NZ soap Shortland St everyone that has a computer has a Mac. I’ve always assumed that Apple has organised product placement. It’s more likely that they chose it because Macs are prettier, and Art Directors/Set Dressers are also more likely to have a Mac themselves, so have a personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![FallingLeaves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/54ee81/32.png) [@FallingLeaves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallingLeaves)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/146 "2009-08-31T01:28:52Z")
I don’t believe I’ve seen this mentioned yet: Someone will call someplace (restaurant, store, etc) and when apparently the call has been answered on the other end they have to ask “is this ABC Coffeehouse?” (or whatever) Don’t most businesses answer with their name? Like “Good afternoon ABC Coffeehouse, how can I help you?” Of course the TV audience can’t hear that end so I understand why they do it, but it always sounds so odd. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/147 "2009-08-31T01:29:58Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Guys always standing up to pee > > Hey, it’s 3Am, I didn’t want to be woken up by my bladder, but since I was, why should I wake all the way up to maintian balance and aim? So I plop my butt down and let it go. Are you serious? No man I know would sit down to pee unless they were medically unable to stand. I think you’re in the very small minority if not just an outlier. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/148 "2009-08-31T01:31:49Z")
Is there a citable statistic for how many murders occur in NYC/LA onscreen vs. in real life? On **The Closer** , the Deputy Chief solves the majority of the homicides and has five full detectives–four of them Lieutenants–do her errands and legwork. Is this a wise allocation of resources? Can crime scene techs really make an arrest, as on the **CSI** shows? (Which, BTW, are monstrously popular here in Korea.) ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/149 "2009-08-31T01:33:10Z")
I don’t think this has been mentioned - a nurse/doctor riding a patient and stretcher down the hall, performing CPR and shouting instructions to prep an operating room. I asked some friends who work in city hospitals about this one. Word is that it happens, but not with anything like the frequency that TV would have you believe. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/150 "2009-08-31T01:47:48Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Are you serious? No man I know would sit down to pee unless they were medically unable to stand. I think you’re in the very small minority if not just an outlier. Sir, could you please have a seat over here? 🙂 Until I get a urinal installed in my bathroom, I am gonna sit any chance I get ! ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/151 "2009-08-31T02:26:53Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Are you serious? No man I know would sit down to pee unless they were medically unable to stand. I think you’re in the very small minority if not just an outlier. The guys in my family growing up did, so I thought that was normal till I got older. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/152 "2009-08-31T02:26:59Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Are you serious? No man I know would sit down to pee unless they were medically unable to stand. I think you’re in the very small minority if not just an outlier. Or they don’t understant that they can’t safely stand and pee and try anyway. That was ever so much fun when my grandfather was recovering from his stroke. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/153 "2009-08-31T02:46:29Z")
A group of people has to explore a cave or an old castle or something, and they all carry these awesome torches that burn brightly forever – torches that I have never remotely witnessed in real life. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/154 "2009-08-31T02:50:51Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > A group of people has to explore a cave or an old castle or something, and they all carry these awesome torches that burn brightly forever – torches that I have never remotely witnessed in real life. Oh yeah, I can tell you for a fact very few caves have very flat floors, they are not naturally self illuminating, and they certainly don’t have natural steps! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/155 "2009-08-31T02:50:56Z")
I practically every sitcom wedding, the priest/minister/justice will ask if anyone has any objections to the wedding… and invariably, someone WILL object. I’ve been to dozens of weddings, and only ONCE has the question even been asked. let alone answered. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/156 "2009-08-31T02:53:28Z")
Quoth **Cubsfan** : > [@](#): > > Are you serious? No man I know would sit down to pee unless they were medically unable to stand. I think you’re in the very small minority if not just an outlier. Really? You have some extremely weird friends. Do they have some sort of gender insecurity issues about it, or something? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/157 "2009-08-31T03:07:46Z")
I’m another person who has _never_ encountered a man peeing while sitting down. _Never._ I’ve never even heard of the practice. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/158 "2009-08-31T03:10:39Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I’m another person who has _never_ encountered a man peeing while sitting down. _Never._ I’ve never even heard of the practice. It takes years of practice and intense mental concentration young grasshopper… ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/159 "2009-08-31T03:14:21Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > High-school and middle-school bullies who are savagely cruel in the most open and blatant manner, and never get in trouble. In all of my time in school as a kid, I _never_ witnessed bullying that was anywhere near what is depicted in Hollywood films. Another thing I’ve always been curious about is has anyone anywhere ever been stuffed into a locker? Where I went to high school the lockers were pretty thin, and it would been impossible to stick anyone over the age of 5 into them. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161/160 "2009-08-31T03:18:11Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I’m another person who has _never_ encountered a man peeing while sitting down. _Never._ I’ve never even heard of the practice. We’ve had whole threads on this subject! You need to meet more men. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-extremely-common-in-tv-shows-movies-that-youve-rarely-seen-in-real-life/508161.md?page=9)