# True facts that movies have taught you **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 24, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811 "2011-01-24T17:55:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/101 "2011-01-25T14:50:27Z")
If I get into a gunfight (with anyone but the police) in a public place, I need not hope for/worry about interference from the police. They’ll be along . . . oh, eventually, I suppose. Same applies to car chases. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/102 "2011-01-25T15:30:16Z")
All taxis are free. You never see anyone pay the fare. And, saying “goodbye” at the end of a phone call is mostly optional, if it’s even done at all. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/103 "2011-01-25T15:41:22Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > \*\*All taxis are free. You never see anyone pay the fare. \*\* > > And, saying “goodbye” at the end of a phone call is mostly optional, if it’s even done at all. I respectfully disagree. The majority of the time, I see people simply throw a wad of cash at the driver, not caring whether it’s the right amount or not. Same thing happens in restaurants. People throw money down for a drink or meal, and leave. One exception off the top of my head: in _Stripes_, when the kids take Winger’s cab, then jump out without paying, but I know that’s going against what you’re saying. In that case, the kids deliberately stole the ride. Speaking of restaurants and bars in movies/TV shows, no one ever finishes a meal or drink. They order, take one bit or sip, then leave the rest. Yet they’re healthy and not anorexic. Ergo, fact: eating and drinking are not really necessary, but have been fabricated simply for image and social situations. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/104 "2011-01-25T16:20:33Z")
We Brits all live in dysfunctional families in government housing, on bleak, trash-strewn estates, and spend all our time taking drugs, drunk, crying, shouting at each other or having joyless sex, and sometimes all five simultaneously… …_unless_ there are Americans visiting, in which case we all commute between humungous country houses set in vast rolling parkland, and our chi-chi _pieds à Terre_, sipping champagne at celebratory parties and being charmingly wry and inscrutable. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/105 "2011-01-25T16:24:25Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > You should never spend money on a computer mouse because nobody in history has ever used one. Everything on a computer can be accomplished by typing furiously. You can google the most obscure thing and the first link will give you all the neeed information on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/106 "2011-01-25T16:28:13Z")
> [@The\_Surb](#): > > Similarly, unless you are a movie star too, if you want to do evil you must be ugly. Or foreign. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/107 "2011-01-25T16:30:12Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > You can google the most obscure thing and the first link will give you all the neeed information on the subject. And if you’re breaking into the most secure computer system, not only can you find the log-in page directly, but the first password that you try gets you in. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/108 "2011-01-25T16:53:07Z")
If you’re a high school jock, then you’re a neanderthal-like, nerd oppressing douchebag. Also, you wear your letter jacket \*all \*the time. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/109 "2011-01-25T16:56:53Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > And if you’re breaking into the most secure computer system, not only can you find the log-in page directly, but the first password that you try gets you in. That’s because everybody’s password is something important in their life, and therefore easily guessable. There will not be any random numbers or letters attached. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/110 "2011-01-25T17:02:46Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Pluckiness and moxy will always beat preparation, training and natural athleticism. In fact, rigorous training and teamwork are just shy of out right cheating. Any team that regularly practices together and wears matching uniforms is probably lead by an evil, smirking, Hilter-youthish type blond kid. You can outrun an explosion if you remember to leap at the last moment. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/111 "2011-01-25T17:16:51Z")
Men who sleep around, treat their girlfriends (or sex partners) callously and indifferently are boorish louts. They deserve the audience’s scorn and have earned the very public humiliation that will occur to them by the end of the last reel. Women who sleep around, treat their boyfriends (or sex partners) callously and indifferently are liberated women! The audience should feel inspired by them and applaud their sense of independence and high self-esteem. They have earned the adoration of the male lead, who will ask them to marry him in the end. All gay men are effectively celibate. They exist for no other reason than to fawn over their straight female friend, and make catty comments with them about the straight men that the women are dating. All gay women are lipstick lesbians, and are always dressed to the nines. They’re all rich and live in fabulously opulent digs. They are not averse to having sex with a man though - they’re open minded in that way. The underdogs will always triumph in the end. Always. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/112 "2011-01-25T17:32:42Z")
If you get is a fist fight at school or anyplace else, you will _not_ wipe the blood from your nose! You will sit there with blood dribbling down your chin while you’re lectured by the headmaster, ranking officer, or boss, but you will make no attempt at all to wipe your nose on your sleeve or try to stop up the cut on your forehead. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/113 "2011-01-25T17:42:38Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > If you get is a fist fight at school or anyplace else, you will _not_ wipe the blood from your nose! You will sit there with blood dribbling down your chin while you’re lectured by the headmaster, ranking officer, or boss, but you will make no attempt at all to wipe your nose on your sleeve or try to stop up the cut on your forehead. If you are handsome enough you will emerge from a fistfight with only a small spot of blood in the corner of your mouth, no matter how many times you’ve been punched in the face. A beautiful woman will dab at this with a hanky, making you wince. If you’re in a plane crash, you may also receive a small scratch on one cheekbone. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/114 "2011-01-25T17:44:52Z")
Fully automatic rifles are easy to come by, used in most crimes, and are easy to shoot accurately. Everyone’s house and cars are perfectly clean all the time and their clothes are tasteful and well fitting unless they are batchelors, then their homes will have pizza boxes everywhere and the fridge will be empty save a lone item that cannot be eaten, usually spoiled cartons of milk. Speaking of clothes, nobody ever wears clothing with logos or labels on it. Your neighbor wears a bathrobe and slippers to go outside and get the paper every morning at the same time that you have to leave for work. Speaking of work, everyone’s job consists of talking to your co-workers for maybe a minute or two and then going out for drinks afterwards. Bad guys can summon up helicopters at a moments notice that are impossible to track on radar. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/115 "2011-01-25T17:52:41Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > And if you’re breaking into the most secure computer system, not only can you find the log-in page directly, but the first password that you try gets you in. And there is nothing on the computer desktop, like wallpaper, and the screen shows 6" high font so the people in the next room can see the monitor. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/116 "2011-01-25T18:04:19Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > That’s because everybody’s password is something important in their life, and therefore easily guessable. There will not be any random numbers or letters attached. Ever. On the other hand, nobody ever finds anyone’s password on a sticky note stuck inside their desk drawer. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/117 "2011-01-25T18:50:38Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > Speaking of work, everyone’s job consists of talking to your co-workers for maybe a minute or two and then going out for drinks afterwards. Corrollary: “Professional” women all wear spiky FMPs, very short skirts, and cleavage-revealing low-cut blouses. Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place (early 90s, kids) is a perfect example of “professional” attire for women. If you get called into HR because of what you’re wearing, you should definitely cite Melrose Place as your fashion reference point. ETA: Sorry, that was a TV reference. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/118 "2011-01-25T19:16:22Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > Disaster movies have taught me that: > > The pivotal government official will be a hands on action guy (almost always a guy) who will jump out of helicopters to rescue people. > > The person (government official or business leader) who attempts to prevent, or interferes with warnings or evacuations will likely die when the disaster does strike. > > No matter how rare or unlikely a particular disaster is, the government (or sometimes a business) will just happen to have extra space shuttles, nukes, lasers, or untested experimental equipment lying around that will save the day. > > Even in the era of 24 hour news networks and Twitter, the government will get to the scene of a foreshadowing disaster first and manage to keep it quite, at least for a while until they come up with a cover story. > > A regular Joe will be right, while the scientist with years of education & experience will be wrong. You forgot the hot female scientist, who wears glasses and looks impossibly young to have the degrees and experience needed to hold her position. ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/119 "2011-01-25T20:30:18Z")
If a romantic complication could be cleared up with a simple, direct question, it won’t get asked. The more brilliant the scientist, the more out of control his hair will be. Serial killers are evil geniuses. (As opposed to just being hard to catch because there’s no obvious direct connection between the killer and the victims.) The one thing you’ve been told to never, ever do will be the act that saves the day at the end. (Example: Crossing the streams in ‘Ghostbusters’) If an action hero hates kids, he’ll end up saving a couple of their asses. (Example: Sam Neill in ‘Jurassic Park’) ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811/120 "2011-01-25T20:41:40Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > You forgot the hot female scientist, who wears glasses and looks impossibly young to have the degrees and experience needed to hold her position. She, too, wears cleavage-revealing tops. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-facts-that-movies-have-taught-you/568811.md?page=7)