# 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:** 171
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3402 "2024-03-22T22:54:21Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > who wanted to be “Dr.”-- albeit, the wife of the dentist corrected me on the title. My father was a physician. My mother would correct people more than my father did. She saw how hard he worked to obtain his MD, and said she wanted people to acknowledge the title. She was pretty chill about most things, but that’s the one issue she was kind of stuck up about. She was nice about it, at least. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3403 "2024-03-23T01:38:30Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > My father was a physician. My mother would correct people more than my father did. I feel I should note for the record that my mother bristled (and how) when someone addressed my father as Dr., or Prof., then addressed her as Mrs. They got an earful. And anyone who sent mail, particularly invitations, to “Dr. & Mrs. Goldhammer,” got a poisoned pen response. I think she was fully justified. This went on in the 70s, 80s & 90s. My father died in 1998. My mother’s second husband was a retired Navy Captain, and by then, they got mail pretty much to CAPT Firstname Lastname (RET) & Dr. Firstname Goldhammer. Yes, my mother kept my father’s last name all her life, as she had established an academic career under that name, and had published 3 books, edited a dozen others, translated a dozen more, and written or translated hundreds of articles under Goldhammer. Nonetheless, occasionally, at events, such as social events at the VFW, people called my mother Mrs. Stepfather. But equally, at academic events, he was often called Mr. Goldhammer. They would just go with the flow. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3404 "2024-03-23T21:52:18Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > A person walks into a bar and the whole place goes quiet and everyone stares at the new person. Mad magazine had that. In an article similar to this thread, it was a site auctioning off movie cliche props. One of them was a player piano that automatically stopped when anyone over 6-foot entered the saloon. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3405 "2024-03-23T23:18:47Z")
Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are both over 6 feet, story checks out. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3406 "2024-03-23T23:20:56Z")
That was the same article that had the Pioneer Women’s Rifle, which if fired into the air with her eyes closed, would kill a brave on a fast horse 400 yards away. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3407 "2024-03-24T06:25:53Z")
[Technology catches up to humor!](https://youtu.be/1MkrNVic7pw) Bow and arrow rather than rifle, but the same idea and it actually works. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3408 "2024-03-24T18:49:31Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > That’s not just a modern western custom. For those with the wealth to conspicuously consume, lavish bridal ceremonies are a thing all over the world: for those without, quite often, too … ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3409 "2024-03-24T20:05:51Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > for those without, quite often, too … Yeah, and thats the issue. A middle class family really cant afford a $50K wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3410 "2024-03-24T20:21:17Z")
(First words on the moon, _sotto voce_) “Are all the backdrops and scenery in position? Have you flattened up the Earth? We only have one shot at this folks, and we have millions of people to rickroll. Let’s look sharp.” ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3411 "2024-03-24T21:08:24Z")
Armstrong’s first words after landing on the moon were not of course “One small step…” nor were they “Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” They were actually the quite mundane and technical “Shutdown. Out of detent, auto.” But even those weren’t the first words spoken on the moon. The first words were spoken by Buzz Aldrin who said “Contact light. OK, engine stop.” Not very quotable I guess. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3412 "2024-03-24T22:35:49Z")
Sounds like you know what you’re talking about, so I withdraw my statement in favor of yours. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3413 "2024-03-24T23:51:37Z")
Well, I did some research after recently seeing this SMBC comic. > **[Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Accurate](https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/accurate-2)** > > Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Accurate ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3414 "2024-03-25T00:07:20Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > The first words were spoken by Buzz Aldrin who said “Contact light. OK, engine stop.” Not very quotable I guess. Was that on the Moon? Wasn’t it a few feet above the Moon when the probe made contact with the surface but they hadn’t landed yet. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3415 "2024-03-25T00:48:43Z")
That’s possible. [This NBC News article](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31965103) says “the very first words after the moon landing” was Aldrin’s “Contact light…” statement, but they may be considering the LEM to have “landed” when the contact probe touched the surface. ---
**Author:** ![SaSaLeLe2011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7bcc69/32.png) [@SaSaLeLe2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaSaLeLe2011)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3416 "2024-03-25T01:16:18Z")
The channel logo at the bottom right. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3417 "2024-03-25T05:44:02Z")
A punch to the face causing immediate unconsciousness (saw this in the beginning of the most recent Indiana Jones movie). Dazing someone, or briefly confusing someone, absolutely. Full unconsciousness: rather unlikely (I’ll grant you, it’s not totally impossible). ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3418 "2024-03-25T06:58:06Z")
actually ive had that happen to me … although I think it was more of a private clubhouse for an MC … I was 14 and walked further to a friend’s house than I usually did but I didn’t get an expected ride home so decided to walk back and about 1/3 of the way there remembered why I didn’t walk that far as my disability asserted its self and my legs started cramping horribly so I managed to get a bit further to what looked like a big shack in the middle of an empty part of the desert with Christmas style lights on it and motorcycles all around it I opened the door and about 30 or so people stopped and turned to look at me and I squeaked out asking to use the restroom and the phone and I called my mom but found out mom couldn’t get there for an hour or more …I then asked if it was ok if I waited outside and the girl tending bar said no I could sit inside and asked if I was hungry I said yes and promptly handed me a grilled roast beef and cheese sandwich and fries and gave me a row of quarters for the pinball games in the other room and conversations began again but were somewhat muted Ironically someone asked me if my mom was who he thought she was and I said yes … and he says "ok he’s cool " I know his mom she was the lady who helped his sister when mom worked for a place referral that helped disabled people get social services … and said he knew mom was trying to get us back from the court system but hadn’t seen her since the move to Arizona move…when mom came to get me I told her who id met and she said "wow small world " ---
**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:** [March 25, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3419 "2024-03-25T13:39:06Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > That’s possible. [This NBC News article](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31965103) says “the very first words after the moon landing” was Aldrin’s “Contact light…” statement, but they may be considering the LEM to have “landed” when the contact probe touched the surface. I bet the very first words were something like ‘[HOLY SHIT WE’RE ON THE FUCKING MOON](https://store.theonion.com/products/man-walks-on-moon-t-shirt)’. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3420 "2024-03-25T16:28:19Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Was that on the Moon? Wasn’t it a few feet above the Moon when the probe made contact with the surface but they hadn’t landed yet. Yeah, IIRC the descent engine was shut off and they dell the last couple meters to the surface. There were crushable elements in the legs and Aldrin touched down so lightly they were scarcely shortened which is why the bottom of the ladder was so high above the foot pad. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > A punch to the face causing immediate unconsciousness (saw this in the beginning of the most recent Indiana Jones movie). Dazing someone, or briefly confusing someone, absolutely. Full unconsciousness Or for that point, coming to after being knocked unconscious and suffering no immediate effects other than maybe a sore jaw or bump on the head. There’s a reason IRL you’re taken to ER for observation for a while. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3421 "2024-03-26T14:20:31Z")
In spite of what appears to be very common in high school and college comedies, I have never seen a group of attractive women get all dressed up, and model-walk in slow motion down the hall or street in a flying wedge formation while everyone around just stands there and gawks like they’ve never seen a pretty woman before. – I movies and television, you always see people signing some NDA where the all-powerful CEO and his army of menacing lawyers imply dire consequences for violating it, usually right before the characters are coerced to do something extremely illegal and/or unethical. IANAL (and this is actually being covered in another thread), but you cannot enter into a contract (NDA or otherwise) where you effectively sign away your basic rights, that protects either party from committing illegal acts, or has overly punitive consequences for violating the terms. Now there are exceptions, such as where a lawyer who violates client privilege could potentially be disbarred or if you are a government worker with a security clearance who deals with sensitive information. But generally, no, there is no such thing as an “airtight” NDA that will afford protection for customers or employees of a company that flies people out to a secret island to hunt humans. [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=170) [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=172)