# 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:** 181
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3607 "2024-05-03T03:59:39Z")
In my town, in the newer buildings, they no longer have large bathrooms with multiple stalls. They have several small bathrooms, each with only one stall, and all of them are chair-accessible. So that kind of sidesteps the issue. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3608 "2024-05-03T04:00:42Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > **sidesteps** the issue. … ISWYDT … ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3609 "2024-05-03T04:04:01Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > Somebody is in the handicap stall because all the other stalls are taken and that’s right when an actual handicap person needs to use it and they start angrily knocking on the stall because they somehow know whoever is using it isn’t handicapped. It is certainly illegal to use a marked handicapped parking space unless you qualify. But not the stall. It is _rude_ to use it- unless it’s the last one. > [@mbh](#): > > In my town, in the newer buildings, they no longer have large bathrooms with multiple stalls. I hope they are also any gender. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3610 "2024-05-03T04:05:46Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > … ISWYDT … I wish I had been that clever. > [@DrDeth](#): > > I hope they are also any gender. Come to think of it, many of them are. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3611 "2024-05-03T12:49:52Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > There are quite a few “real-life superheroes” who have tried to fight crime while wearing a silly costume. I stand corrected. That is quite a list of U.S. superheroes. Some great names too! Master Legend. Mr. Xtreme. Crimson Fist (and his wife, Metadata). Dragonheart. Zen Blade. The Viper. And some not so good superhero names… Captain Sticky. Captain Oyster. Shadow Hare (oysters and bunnies are not really animals that strike fear in anybody). Squeegeeman-- “fights grime and crime”. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3612 "2024-05-04T01:51:02Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Shadow Hare… bunnies are not really animals that strike fear in anybody > **[Old Fart Fan Girl](https://www.tumblr.com/oldfartfangirl/749508576314294272/gallusrostromegalus-cherryistired?source=share)** > > if you don’t know the difference between a hare and a rabbit you’ve never gazed into the cold wild eyes of a hare and known that if it could speak it would speak backwards (can you see this if you don’t tumblr?) ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3613 "2024-05-07T17:30:05Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > Somebody is in the handicap stall because all the other stalls are taken and that’s right when an actual handicap person needs to use it and they start angrily knocking on the stall because they somehow know whoever is using it isn’t handicapped. Oh! That happened to me one time. It was a 3 stall bathroom in a bar, one of which was a handicapped stall. The other two were _occupado_. so I used it. I came out of the stall and was mortified to find a lady in a wheelchair “catching” me using the handicapped stall. I apologized, but she just laughed it off. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3614 "2024-05-07T21:29:32Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > The other two were _occupado_. so I used it. I came out of the stall and was mortified to find a lady in a wheelchair “catching” me using the handicapped stall. There’s nothing wrong with using it. It is not for the exclusive use of handicapped people, like the parking spaces. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3615 "2024-05-07T21:45:27Z")
You know, I’ve never been in a professional or casual setting where someone in authority prompted everyone to quiet down by bellowing " SILENCE!!!" at them. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3616 "2024-05-08T00:38:48Z")
Or when said someone commands “_SEIZE HIM!_” to anyone who doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3617 "2024-05-08T08:24:13Z")
Has anyone ever said “You are either very brave … or very foolish” in real life? ---
**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:** [May 8, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3618 "2024-05-08T14:32:00Z")
My boss really should say that to me from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3619 "2024-05-08T16:33:42Z")
Speaking of which The library where any sound above a whisper gets a loud SSSSSSHHH from the resident librarian. Every library I’ve ever been to school, public and university quietness was encouraged but not exactly enforced. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3620 "2024-05-08T21:07:24Z")
Oh, you obviously never been in my high school library! I remember one time she SHUSHED! the shit out of us. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3621 "2024-05-09T03:19:21Z")
In the movies or TV just having a weather vane is asking for trouble. And if that creaky old rooster barn weather vane moves just a fraction (as it eventually will every time there is a movie/TV building featuring a noticeable weather vane) you best get your ass into the storm cellar right now because the town is about to get flattened. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3622 "2024-05-09T04:57:58Z")
There’s always a framed B&W studio portrait of the victim/suspect/cheating husband/asshole boss/obnoxious prick on prominent display on a coffee table inside his home. He’s hunched over in three-quarters view and staring up at you with a creepy half-smile on his face. Would _you_ keep a photo like this in _your_ place? 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3623 "2024-05-09T08:28:40Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’d say to qualify as a real-world superhero, one would need something like, but maybe not all, of these qualifications: > > - A desire or obsession to fight crime outside of the normal channels of law enforcement > - Some sort of identifiable costume or uniform > - A secret identity (probably the most optional) > - Gadgets or abilities that give them an edge over bad guys as well as conventional law enforcement I nominate Simo Häyhä, Finnish sniper in the Winter War between Finland and Russia, a.k.a. “The White Death”. Alright, he wasn’t fighting _crime_, he was fighting an invasion of his country, but hey, Captain America started out with fighting WWII. Dude was certainly dedicated to killing the enemy, definitely one of the best snipers of all time if not the best, with a kill count deep into the hundreds. While at work dressed in all white winter camouflage, which made him near-invisible in the Finnish winter. Didn’t have fancy gadgets - most of his sniping was done with iron sights - but he sure had an ability to hit the target that was far above average. No secret identity, but as you say, that’s optional. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3624 "2024-05-09T09:31:37Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I don’t know. Epsilon Nine continued to transmit pictures of space after it had been absorbed by V’Ger. And the Romulan warbird transmitted pictures of its own self destruction in Balance of Terror. It depends if they are Live Streaming at the time or not. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2024, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3625 "2024-05-09T11:57:38Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Or worse, _reversing the polarity of the neutron flow_. > > Hand me a silicon rod, would you. _antimaterial? … or a regular one?_ ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3626 "2024-05-10T01:59:36Z")
Anyone ever been in a room with an authority figure and others when someone(s) unexpectedly burst into the room in a chaotic fashion and the authority figure asks loudly “WHAT is the meaning of this?” Not me. [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=180) [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=182)