# 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:** 151
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3002 "2023-10-30T20:25:16Z")
The weird “two day old beard” look, continued for day or weeks on end. I get it, it looks “manly” and tough- well sorta. But it only occurs two days after shaving. Keeping that look requires special shaving tools, that dudes in the wilderness do not have. ---
**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 31, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3003 "2023-10-31T02:03:10Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Keeping that look requires special shaving tools, that dudes in the wilderness do not have. Just a beard trimmer on a low setting. I use one. But I have more of a constant 2 week beard. Not sure why you specify ‘dudes in the wilderness’ specifically, though. The most obvious example of a character keeping the ‘continued for day or weeks on end’ 2 day beard look I can think of is House, M.D. I think Wilson even commented on it once— “how come you always have a 2 day beard, day after day?” I don’t remember House’s exact answer. Something sardonic. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3004 "2023-10-31T02:17:08Z")
> [@solost](#): > > The most obvious example of a character keeping the ‘continued for day or weeks on end’ 2 day beard look I can think of is House, M.D Or Sonny Crockett a few years earlier. Contrary to this thread, that style did happen quite frequently in real life, for a time. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3005 "2023-10-31T02:22:46Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Just a beard trimmer on a low setting. I use one. But I have more of a constant 2 week beard. > > Not sure why you specify ‘dudes in the wilderness’ specifically, though. The most obvious example of a character keeping the ‘continued for day or weeks on end’ 2 day beard look I can think of is House, M.D. Well, House could have such a trimmer. Just possible, but highly doubtful. But not in the wilderness. I have such a trimmer, I keep my beard short. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3006 "2023-10-31T02:26:23Z")
Oh, and I just watched an old Law & Order, the ME on the scene said the bullet hole was a .380. Now sure later this was “confirmed” but- a 9mm makes the exact sized hole (.380 is also called 9mm kurz or short") and so does a .38 and a .357. Once you dig it out, yeah, you can confirm is is likely a .380, altho a 9mm could have the same bullet. (You could load a .38 with one too, to confuse the cops) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3007 "2023-12-05T00:15:23Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The weird “two day old beard” look, continued for day or weeks on end. > > I get it, it looks “manly” and tough- well sorta. But it only occurs two days after shaving. Keeping that look requires special shaving tools, that dudes in the wilderness do not have. Not for me. I tried growing a beard during COVID and after a months the best I could do was Hans Gruber. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3008 "2023-12-05T00:24:01Z")
Also speaking of bullets, did anyone mention where a bullet gets stopped by some relatively flimsy object in someone’s pocket like a notebook, Bible, an old locket, or favorite drinking flask? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3009 "2023-12-05T00:33:45Z")
Well, according to legend it worked for Frederick the Great with a tobacco case: > **[At Kunersdorf near Berlin, Frederick the Great came close to losing his life](https://edsimoneit.blog/2019/06/18/frederick-the-great-was-a-commander-who-repeatedly-even-joyfully-risked-everything-on-a-single-days-battle/)** > > Frederick the Great was a commander who repeatedly, even joyfully, risked everything on a single day’s battle – his army, his kingdom, often his very life. At a battle near Berlin in 17… > [@](#): > > He stood alone on a small hill with his rapier sticking in the ground before him, determined to either hold the line against the whole enemy army alone or to die. Cavalry Captain Ernst von Prittwitz came to the king’s rescue with his 200 strong squadron and convinced Frederick to leave. He barely escaped capture and was wounded by gunfire. According to legend, one bullet struck his chest but it was stopped by the heavy silver tobacco case in his pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3010 "2023-12-05T00:43:20Z")
For Theodore Roosevelt, it took a speech manuscript and a steel eyeglassess case, and the bullet still went into his chest. > **[The Pocket Items That Saved the Life of Theodore Roosevelt | Headlines &...](https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2019/07/the-pocket-items-that-saved-the-life-of-theodore-roosevelt/)** > > It was the result of pure serendipity—a deadly assassin impeded by casual effects. Ordinary items that were unintentionally but strategically placed by the victim in a breast pocket that blocked the course of an otherwise lethal bullet.  ---
**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:** [December 7, 2023, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3011 "2023-12-07T11:01:49Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Also speaking of bullets, did anyone mention where a bullet gets stopped by some relatively flimsy object in someone’s pocket like a notebook, Bible, an old locket, or favorite drinking flask? my guess is most run-of-the-mill pistol/revolver ammunition would struggle to penetrate through a bible and be able to do some serious damage to the person behind it… ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3012 "2023-12-07T20:09:57Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > my guess is most run-of-the-mill pistol/revolver ammunition would struggle to penetrate through a bible Depends on from how far, how big that bible is and what year you were shooting in — the early/mid 20th century “typical” everyday handgun may have been chambered in .32 S&W caliber, but today it’s going to likely be a 9mm Parabellum or a .40 cal, with a +P load, and that is a significantly spicier meatball especially close in. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3013 "2023-12-07T21:21:05Z")
Standard modern handgun cartridges can easily penetrate the thickest law textbook from 25 feet away. A pocket Bible doesn’t stand a chance. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3014 "2023-12-07T22:07:32Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > Also speaking of bullets, did anyone mention where a bullet gets stopped by some relatively flimsy object in someone’s pocket like a notebook, Bible, an old locket, or favorite drinking flask? > > my guess is most run-of-the-mill pistol/revolver ammunition would struggle to penetrate through a bible and be able to do some serious damage to the person behind it… [Noooope.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_8y5h95E1Q) This guy shot through a Webster Dictionary with a .22, a 9mm and a .45 ACP. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3015 "2023-12-07T22:36:05Z")
I don’t know if we have the opposite thread (things which happen in real life but rarely happens in movies/TV (probably)), but the thing which I constantly notice is that, apparently, very few things _smell_. I notice this most often in police procedurals, where the characters enter a situation that obviously stinks to high heaven, but they don’t act like the week-old body, the crack house, the shitty apartment which has never been cleaned, whatever, has even the slightest odor. I mean, I’ve been in a couple of crack houses in my day (lol, not as a user but as someone going in to gather a bunch of phone books), and they smell _wretchingly_ bad, as in, “I need to hold my breath or I’m going to vomit” bad. But I see TV detectives (and the bad guys) enter places like this and not even bother to wrinkle their noses. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3016 "2023-12-07T22:39:47Z")
Maybe, but I have also scenes where investigators enter a room with a rotting corpse who immediately turn around, cry out “Oh shit!” or something like that and cover their face. Sometimes there are even people on the scene retching or vomiting. ---
**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:** [December 7, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3017 "2023-12-07T22:42:48Z")
[Vomiting Cop](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/VomitingCop) is indeed a trope. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3018 "2023-12-07T23:21:33Z")
That’s one scene I appreciated in _Silence of the Lambs_, when they rub Vicks VapoRub under their noses before poking around the corpse. Too bad theaters don’t have SmellOVision (or maybe not). I was on a jury on a murder trial. The testimony of the first police officer on the scene was he could smell gunpowder from a recent gunshot. A few months later I was in a job interview and was asked the question “Who is someone you admired?” I answered that brave, solo police officer, going into a potentially deadly situation that _smelled_ dangerous. I think the interviewers were impressed with that answer. (I didn’t get the job though.) ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3019 "2023-12-07T23:41:54Z")
[quote=“JohnT, post:3015, topic:932311, full:true”]**I mean, I’ve been in a couple of crack houses in my day (lol, not as a user but as someone going in to gather a bunch of phone books)**, and they smell _wretchingly_ bad, as in, “I need to hold my breath or I’m going to vomit” bad. But I see TV detectives (and the bad guys) enter places like this and not even bother to wrinkle their noses. [/quote] I understand all of these words individually, but not when combined in this manner. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3020 "2023-12-08T00:13:03Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Maybe, but I have also scenes where investigators enter a room with a rotting corpse who immediately turn around, cry out “Oh shit!” or something like that and cover their face. Sometimes there are even people on the scene retching or vomiting. I got called in as the on call detective on a particularly bad one. Guy lived alone. Died in the summer. There was no reason why I needed to be there. It was obviously natural with nothing suspicious. I held my breath, ran in and took as many pictures as I could without breathing and ran out. Did that a couple of times. Then waited for the ME. They came in full hazmat suits and took much better pictures than I did. Like I said, no need for me to be there. Not worth the three hours of overtime. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3021 "2023-12-08T00:17:59Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > [Noooope.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_8y5h95E1Q) > > This guy shot through a Webster Dictionary with a .22, a 9mm and a .45 ACP. thx all, you might have saved my life! From now on, instead of the holy bible, I shall shelter behind the omnipresent fat kid… [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=150) [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=152)