# What I know about American homes from the movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 20, 2006, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308 "2006-02-20T11:01:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/81 "2006-02-21T13:26:28Z")
> [@paulmarkj](#): > > All the phone number begin with 555, presumbly this is a fake code. > … > And lastly, one that may be true and was often seen on TV in the 70s: everyone carried their food shopping in 3 or 4 large brown paper bags. No handles on the bags to carry them, they had to hugged as the harrased tried to unlock their front door. As children we could never understand why there were no handles on the carriers. Yep, 555 (or “KL5”) is used so that a real number is not given out. Some grocery stores have handles on the bags but for the most part paper grocery bags do not have handles. Paper inside plastic, or plastic alone, is used for carrying by the handles. i still don’t understand how vertical boards keep the rain out. The stupidest one for abnormal sized places (besides Friends) was Mad About You. They had an episode where they are trapped in the bathroom and it is the size of an airport. THEN, they are getting ready for baby and it’s revealed that they have a whole second bedroom they are paying for that’s just filled with junk. Right, even with her in a corporate job that seems unrealistic. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/82 "2006-02-21T13:37:10Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > [horrified] Gaah! But shoes have been outside, where they’ve trodden in mud, dogshit, dead beetles, and God knows what else. You have people clumping through the house treading all manner of filthy goobies on the floor? [/horrified] Dang it, us folks down here in Georgia wuz criticized fer not wearin’ shoes right up 'til FDR brung us ‘lectricity . Now yer criticizin’ us 'cuz we DO wear shoes! Make up yer minds whatcha want! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/83 "2006-02-21T13:42:12Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > Nasty cold pizza? That’s pizza at it’s best! Preferably after it’s been sitting on the counter all night. Chase that with some fried chicken (also set out for the night) and you have the ideal Sunday morning food. I didn’t need a movie to teach me that one! I eat cold pizza that I have left out all the time. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/84 "2006-02-21T13:46:45Z")
> [@paulmarkj](#): > > All schools are grand buildings, landscaped at the front. The schools I’ve known in the US are not like that, though I’m sure they exist. I’ve seen a few grand school buildings in Atlanta and some small Georgia towns, as you describe them, and even attended a few when I was very young. This would have been back in the '50’s. These were old buildings built back in the '10s and '20s, and there weren’t a lot of 'em left even then. I don’t know if there are any at all any more, at least not around where I live. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/85 "2006-02-21T14:05:32Z")
To be part of the Chinese-food hijack, there’s one restaurant in town that I know of that still gives take-away in paper cartons. SOMETIMES. At least they do it for doggybags. Everywhere else gives a metal or plastic or Styrofoam carton. In fact, I have a Styrofoam carton of utterly luscious sesame chicken and steamed broccoli and rice I’m bringing to work with me for lunch today… 😃 Of course the broccoli will have wilted by the time I nuke it to mouth-searing temps for dinner, but… ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/86 "2006-02-21T15:08:04Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > Dang it, us folks down here in Georgia wuz criticized fer not wearin’ shoes right up 'til FDR brung us ‘lectricity . Now yer criticizin’ us 'cuz we DO wear shoes! Make up yer minds whatcha want! 😃 I know what you mean. I still see people in Georgia going without shoes in summer … saw a whole family hiking to the store barefoot not too long ago. It’s not that they can’t afford shoes, they don’t like 'em. And I speak as one, as a kid, from April until October while at home wore a pair of shorts and that was about it. Add a T-shirt for special occasions. But shoes? What a bummer! Of course, we Americans are wealthy enough to keep the outdoors manicured so we can wear shoes inside and go barefoot outside without making a mess. That’s what all those Mexicans are doing here. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/87 "2006-02-21T16:14:25Z")
Thanks for the pictures of vertical slats The Gaspode. Now that I’ve seen them I know I’ve seen them before (they look nice), but I too wonder how they’re supposed to keep rain and snow out. > [@Case Sensitive](#): > > [horrified] Gaah! But shoes have been outside, where they’ve trodden in mud, dogshit, dead beetles, and God knows what else. You have people clumping through the house treading all manner of filthy goobies on the floor? [/horrified] Well, I do try not to step in mud, dogshit, dead beetles, filthy goobies and God knows what else. If you’re walking from the bus/car to the front door, most people walk on sidewalks, then the front walk, then the front steps, so you don’t have to walk in mud, then many homes have shoe scrapers (usually made out of plastic or carpet). I wouldn’t knowingly go leaving mud tracks on someone’s floor or carpet. Now that would be rude. If it were pouring rain or snowing heavily and I couldn’t clean them off my shoes before entering, then I probably would take them off to keep the drippage down, but obviously, it’s happened so few times that I can’t even think of when the last time was. We have a carpet throw in front of our front and back door so people can wipe off their shoes. A lot of people have them. > [@Rune](#): > > Well, you’re abviously not American then, likely you are an Al Quaeda sleeper agent. QED. Case closed. Geez, I’ll let you know if Homeland Security comes calling. _runs to throw away Outfoxed and The Republican Noise Machine before they get here_ ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/88 "2006-02-21T16:38:15Z")
Has anyone made mention of how incrediby neat and clean American TV homes are, even those with kids and pets and no maid service? They all look like model homes waiting for a buyer to walk through. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/89 "2006-02-21T17:25:25Z")
Americans don’t seem to have pets, unless the pet in question is part of the storyline at that moment. Even households you know have pets you rarely see them, you don’t see food and water bowls, no one ever walks the dog. No one does yardwork. Those lawns magically get mowed, the hedges trimmed and the flowers planted. As for the shoes indoors, I always wear either shoes or slippers. The wood floors get cold, you know. If my shoes are muddy, I’ll take them off at the door but put something else on immediately. StG ---
**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:** [February 21, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/90 "2006-02-21T17:29:45Z")
> [@scotandrsn](#): > > That’s what’s usually said, but it has recently been mentioned to me that _Bewitched_ beat them to it. Didn’t Herman and Lily Munster share a bed? ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/91 "2006-02-21T18:49:35Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > Has anyone made mention of how incrediby neat and clean American TV homes are, even those with kids and pets and no maid service? They all look like model homes waiting for a buyer to walk through. That’s why my home will never be on TV. I worry more about tracking crap out of the house than tracking any in. Plus, within three miles of my house I can get my Chinese in cardboard, plastic, styrofoam, or metal containers from various places. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/92 "2006-02-21T19:32:12Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Well, I do try not to step in mud, dogshit, dead beetles, \*\*filthy goobies \*\* and God knows what else. If you’re walking from the bus/car to the front door, most people walk on sidewalks, then the front walk, then the front steps, so you don’t have to walk in mud, then many homes have shoe scrapers (usually made out of plastic or carpet). I wouldn’t knowingly go leaving mud tracks on someone’s floor or carpet. Now that would be rude. If it were pouring rain or snowing heavily and I couldn’t clean them off my shoes before entering, then I probably would take them off to keep the drippage down, but obviously, it’s happened so few times that I can’t even think of when the last time was. Bolding mine- Watch who you are calling filthy and stepping all over me and mine. ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/93 "2006-02-21T19:44:12Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I didn’t need a movie to teach me that one! I eat cold pizza that I have left out all the time. I used to do that til the time I got sick as a dog. Now I try to remember to get it in the fridge that night. I still don’t nuke it, though. Ice cold out of the fridge is still tasty, imho (especially Canadian bacon & pineapple), and still better than reheated. Same for fried chicken. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/94 "2006-02-21T19:51:49Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > Nasty cold pizza? That’s pizza at it’s best! Well, no, there’s nothing inherently wrong with cold pizza, but it’s just when it’s _supposedly_ fresh, hot pizza, and the slices they pick are stiff as a board - it’s one of those little things that always jump out at me. It doesn’t really qualify as a continuity error - what would you call it? Prop error? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/95 "2006-02-21T20:20:33Z")
> [@The Gaspode](#): > > Let’s put this to rest: [Pic.](http://www.myresjohus.se/Archive/Bilder/V%C3%A5ra%20hus/2-planshus/Multi_foto_ext2_540.jpg) [Another.](http://www.davidjennings.net/photos/031-014-m.jpg) And [another](http://www.swedenhomerentals.se/Kundsidor/Sweden/531/Farmorshuset.jpg). The verticle slats thing was big around here in the late '60s into the '70s. Today they are usually considered an unatractive artifact of the past. It’s not at all common to see them in new construction. As far as seeing them on TV, well there is [this](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.voteprime.com/pics/albums/Adventures_in_LA_-_2005/IMG_0550.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.voteprime.com/pics/albums/Adventures_in_LA_-_2005/tn/IMG_0550.JPG.html&h=1200&w=1600&sz=990&tbnid=Gbrf18-8_-D1MM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=150&hl=en&start=8&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrady%2Bbunch%2Bhouse%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26c2coff%3D1%26sa%3DG). ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/96 "2006-02-21T20:25:30Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Some grocery stores have handles on the bags but for the most part paper grocery bags do not have handles. Paper inside plastic, or plastic alone, is used for carrying by the handles. > . For the most part, at least around these parts, paper grocery bags have gone the way of the dodo. Except they put my wine in a little paper bag inside the plastic bag. They still _have_ paper grocery bags, and the baggers at Publix always say “Is plastic okay?” so I guess somebody still likes paper, but I never see them around anymore. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/97 "2006-02-21T20:40:42Z")
> [@PoorYorick](#): > > Everybody uses a Mac; apparently in Movieland, Microsoft doesn’t exist. Stands to reason – after all, if you’re the Props Director who has to portray as a hotshot office executive loaded with the latest and greatest geewhiz wizardry, are you _really_ going to plop him down behind a generically bland Dell tower? Or, worse, a cow-patterend Gateway leftover? :eek: Mac users: cutting-edge, sexy, with-it, intelligent. Windows users: dull, boring, generic, cheap. At least in Movieland. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/98 "2006-02-21T21:18:06Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > For the most part, at least around these parts, paper grocery bags have gone the way of the dodo. Wow, I must live in Siberia. We still have paper grocery bags (some places like Trader Joe’s have the nice ones with handles!), and as I said before, we still get Chinese food in the folded paper cartons. I’m surprised I can’t get milk in glass bottles. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/99 "2006-02-21T21:22:02Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Well, I do try not to step in mud, dogshit, dead beetles, filthy goobies and God knows what else. If you’re walking from the bus/car to the front door, most people walk on sidewalks, then the front walk, then the front steps, so you don’t have to walk in mud, then many homes have shoe scrapers (usually made out of plastic or carpet). I wouldn’t knowingly go leaving mud tracks on someone’s floor or carpet. Now that would be rude. If it were pouring rain or snowing heavily and I couldn’t clean them off my shoes before entering, then I probably would take them off to keep the drippage down, but obviously, it’s happened so few times that I can’t even think of when the last time was. Even if I stay on the sidewalks, there is no way to avoid snow if it’s winter, or mud if it’s wet out. I have never seen a perfect strech of sidewalk that somehow remains 100% rain, snow, and mud free in all my years. Even with a shoe scraper and “mud rug,” there is no way to get all the sand, water, and crud out of the treads in my shoes, so off they come at the door. Trust me, I’ve tried. I have spent what seems like several minutes (probably more like one) wiping, pounding, and scraping shoes on a welcome mat, shoe scraper, and two “mud rugs”, and still, when I walked onto the hardwood floor, BAM, water and dirt coming off of my shoes. It just makes more sense to me to take them off. I can not clean my floors for a month and you’d never know because there is never anything on them. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308/100 "2006-02-21T21:29:16Z")
> [@PoorYorick](#): > > Not only do you not have to lock your front door, apparently you don’t have to lock your car either. Well, _that’s_ true. I never lock my car or house. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-know-about-american-homes-from-the-movies/345308.md?page=6)