# What is extremely common in TV or movies but almost never happens in real life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311 "2021-02-06T04:16:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 150
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2982 "2023-10-27T15:29:54Z")
.nvm. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2983 "2023-10-27T15:33:51Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > 20 pulls is a very small sample size. (…must…resist…making obvious dumb joke often said by a certain character in ‘The Office’…) I know, but we’re not really talking statistics here, I’m talking about the basic human experience I had of repeatedly feeding in a token, pulling a lever or pushing a button (whatever it was, don’t remember), waiting for the spinny stuff to stop, then…nothing. Over and over… 20 times might not _ **seem** _ like a lot in the scheme of things, but to me it felt interminable. I don’t understand how people can find that ‘fun’. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2984 "2023-10-27T15:45:21Z")
I had to help pull a guy out of a rebar impalement back in my construction days. The rebar penetrated under the armpit up into his shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2985 "2023-10-27T15:55:26Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Over and over… 20 times might not _ **seem** _ like a lot in the scheme of things, but to me it felt interminable. I don’t understand how people can find that ‘fun’. Because most people aren’t doing it the way you are, to kill about 5-10 minutes of time while waiting for someone else. Not even their first time. Most people are going to the casino specifically to gamble - and I’m not sure what type of slot you were playing , but if it was the type with a $1 minimum bet that pays off on three lines you will “win” less frequently than on a machine where the minimum bet is 100 paylines at a penny each line. I said less frequently for a reason - you win more often on the machine with a lot of paylines but each win is smaller. Like you might win 5 cents on an individual game but if you play for an hour or two you’re likely to get a few much larger individual wins (although you will still probably lose overall) And when someone is in a casino for a few hours, chances are good that someone around them will “win” a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. That’s reinforcement too. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2986 "2023-10-27T20:13:03Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I sent her over a drink, then came over to talk. That was ~20 years ago! heck, that would have been my next trope to put into this thread … sending over a drink - who’d be so stupid to do **THAT!?** irl ,-) (glad it worked out for you) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2987 "2023-10-27T20:16:33Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > the mysterious, beautiful lady, all dressed up, sitting alone in a bar. This is the only time a pick up line worked for me- I saw her there, stunning, looking bored. I passed by and said “My god you’re beautiful!”. To which she replied “Then why cant I get a date?” which my brain working fast for once I said “What are you doing Saturday”? We went out a few times, it didnt work out, but still… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2988 "2023-10-27T20:21:00Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Actually, the hit is winning. Just playing, and losing- > **[The buzz that keeps people gambling](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160721-the-buzz-that-keeps-people-gambling)** > > You might think gambling is all about winning, but a range of studies show that things just aren’t that simple. Why do gamblers, even unsuccessful ones, keep getting a buzz? _The first thing to note is that people don’t just gamble for the prospect of winning. Mark Griffiths, a psychologist at Nottingham Trent University who specialises in behavioural addictions points out that gamblers list a wide range of motivations for their habit._ _\> ## Even when you’re losing while you’re gambling, your body is still producing adrenalin and endorphins – Mark Griffiths, Nottingham Trent University_ _In a survey of 5,500 gamblers, the prospect of the chance to “win big money” was the strongest factor. But it was followed closely by “because it’s fun” and “because it’s exciting”._ _“Even when you’re losing while you’re gambling, your body is still producing adrenalin and endorphins,” he says._ Oh sure, you can be led on by a modest win, causing you to put more $ in, but I am talking about addicted gamblers. It’s the risk, and losing is a risk. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2989 "2023-10-27T21:06:37Z")
Yeah, I probably came across like “well, I tried something briefly and immediately made a judgement call that I didn’t like it, so that means anybody who does like it is stoopid.” But my actual meaning was more complex and nuanced than that. At least, I hope so! And who knows, I may have gotten lucky by losing. Let’s say, on my honeymoon when I did the 20 &1 tokens, if the machine had coughed up 8 or 10 tokens on my 18th or 19 pull, maybe I woulda been hooked and stayed ‘til dawn… **Newleywed Mrs. Solost:** honey, you almost done on the slots? Our sunset boat cruise starts in a half hour. **Me** : yeah yeah, I’ll catch up, but I got a good feeling about this machine! A big payoff is coming up, mere minutes from now for sure…. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2990 "2023-10-28T02:16:12Z")
I’d love to have a computer as fast as the ones in movies, and I would really like to be able to blow up that photo without it pixellating. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2991 "2023-10-28T02:25:59Z")
If you throw them into the ocean, they might wash back up onto the beach. For me, lighting that money on fire would potentially give me the same satisfaction. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2992 "2023-10-28T18:59:02Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Let’s say, on my honeymoon when I did the 20 &1 tokens, if the machine had coughed up 8 or 10 tokens on my 18th or 19 pull, maybe I woulda been hooked and stayed ‘til dawn… Some years ago on _The Simpsons_ some group – Mr. Burns? – wanted to build a casino in Springfield and Marge was opposed to the idea, even leading the campaign against it. The campaign lost, the casino was built, and Marge attended on opening night to see what the fuss was all about. She found a quarter on the floor, dropped it into a slot machine and won a buck. Her fall and addiction was instantaneous. Homer, of course, was a victim from the very start. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2993 "2023-10-28T19:26:47Z")
> [@solost](#): > > And who knows, I may have gotten lucky by losing. Let’s say, on my honeymoon when I did the 20 &1 tokens, if the machine had coughed up 8 or 10 tokens on my 18th or 19 pull, maybe I woulda been hooked and stayed ‘til dawn… Yeah, when my dad was a teenager a friend’s dad took him and the friend to Santa Anita. He placed bets for the boys based on their choices, and my dad’s horse won that first race. The dad said that was bad because now he’d be hooked! Spoiler: he wasn’t. I don’t have the gambling gene either. I’d always rather have something tangible for my money – even something temporarily tangible, like a good meal. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2994 "2023-10-28T21:58:26Z")
This reminded me that at least one of the episodes of “The First 48” showed the (real life) detectives using a magnifying glass to try to read a license plate from the display of a surveillance video. The result looked just like you would expect: bigger rectangular pixels. They gave up after a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2995 "2023-10-28T22:35:58Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Some years ago on _The Simpsons_ some group – Mr. Burns? – wanted to build a casino in Springfield and Marge was opposed to the idea, No, she was in favour of it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_JnFU-FUSyw/hqdefault.jpg "The Simpsons - Casino Townhall Meeting (Episode: $Pringfield)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JnFU-FUSyw) ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2996 "2023-10-28T22:40:25Z")
[quote=“Nars\_Glinley, post:2963, topic:932311, full:true”] > [@WildaBeast](#): > > Speaking of people who share a bedroom arguing, in real life have two siblings ever divided their bedroom down the middle, and required each sibling to keep their things on “their” side of the room?. Perhaps you didn’t grow up in a typical 1950’s family – small house, big family. We had a three bedroom house and four children so sharing was the norm for at least a decade. And yes absolutely we divided the room. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2997 "2023-10-28T23:07:27Z")
Here’s a whole article on the topic! > **[‘A dated and alarmist trope’: critics on the modern movie cliches that need...](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/28/modern-movie-cliches-drone-shot-texts-selfie?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)** > > From boring drone shots to the ‘surprise’ car crash that’s anything but, today’s film-makers have developed a host of hackneyed habits. Here, our writers name and shame the 21st century tropes we could do without ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2998 "2023-10-29T00:01:16Z")
Strike three, **Peter\_Morris**! I remember that meeting, and I have a photographic memory… ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/2999 "2023-10-29T08:47:06Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > No, she was in favour of it. Huh. Can’t trust a 30-year old memory I guess. I got the quarter right, though. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3000 "2023-10-30T02:18:49Z")
When police have to stop in a hurry, they do it while drifting. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3001 "2023-10-30T18:21:44Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > I’ve seen one bar fight that I’d call a brawl. It was in a biker bar, and it started with guys from two different groups exchanging words, then their buddies joining in. It didn’t involve most of the people in the bar, though, I was at my local pub one evening, and it was very slow, only me and one other regular, so the bartender sent the rest of the staff home early. Not too much later though, two groups of guys, maybe 5 or 6 in each group, show up looking for a drink. I’m not sure what started it, but these guys started pushing and shoving each other. The bartender had to wade into the middle of it to try to shut it down. I looked at the other regular and said, “Steve is going to need someone to watch his back in there”, so we both waded into it. I’m a big guy, and have broken up more than one fight using a technique I call, “Strategically getting in the way”, which is most of what I did that night. But for a minute there, literally everyone in the bar was in a big fight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=149) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=151)