# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/101 "2021-02-06T19:38:45Z")
Oh crap yes, surprise rattlesnakes do happen, too damn often. In just one 2 mile walk as a volunteer ranger, I had to clear no less than four small young rattlers off the path. My buddy almost stepped on two of them. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/102 "2021-02-06T19:41:00Z")
Cops and bad guys shooting at one another with snub-nose .38s at great distances. And actually hitting one another. Bad guys reflexively drawing a gun or knife when they’re told “You’re under arrest!” Anybody getting shot by a high-powered service pistol or rifle and living long enough to be rushed to a hospital and make a miraculous recovery. Bad guys having a change of heart and sympathizing/empathizing/falling in love with their victim(s). Victims forgiving whoever it was that just put them through living hell. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/103 "2021-02-06T19:44:30Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > People having a deep conversation not facing each other, so the camera can get both faces frontally. It’s related to how a group of people will sit around only three sides of a table while eating a meal. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/104 "2021-02-06T19:44:40Z")
In the past, maybe. As security we were chasing a perp, and my partner fired off a warning shot. The perp was caught by police and was a real nasty guy. The officers comment about the warning shot? _Why did you miss?_ My other partner shot and killed a guy who opened fire on him first, and other than having to give a statement, nothing happened. Again, a known bad guy, and the perp shot first. Both of these occurred back in the 1970’s, I have no idea if this would happen today, and I am more than somewhat doubtful. So, period PI shows- maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/105 "2021-02-06T19:46:32Z")
The maverick detective who disobeys a direct order to drop an investigation, who then finally finds the proof/perp they’ve been looking for and is vindicated. In real life no detective is going risk their entire career plus pension to pursue a dead-end case. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/106 "2021-02-06T19:49:45Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I once wanted to access a zip file that was password protected. So I downloaded a password cracker program just in case it was solvable before the heat-death of the universe. I run the program, click on the zip, immediately get a message that the password is open. Huh? I thought this was encrypted. Try the zip, yep, needs a password. Try again, same immediate message. It took me a couple of trys to figure out that it wasn’t saying that the file didn’t need a password, the password was the word “open.” and looking at the log file, it had tried several hundred thousand passwords in something like 0.7 seconds, finding it so fast I mistook it for an instant rseponse. This is why I always use a password nobody could ever figure out: drowssap. (Warning: Actual results may vary.) ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/107 "2021-02-06T19:51:08Z")
Oh yes, another pet peeve of mine. Someone knocked unconscious, or waking up from a coma, just flutters their eyelids and in a few moments knows what is going on after waking up. Uh no, there is a long transition period of confusion and grogginess, and nobody hit hard on the head is going to get up and run around, and even fight, they just want to lie down. Again, no direct experience, but all those movies where someone is shot and either drops dead at once or just lies there quietly. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/108 "2021-02-06T19:58:17Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > Oh yes, another pet peeve of mine. Someone knocked unconscious, or waking up from a coma, just flutters their eyelids and in a few moments knows what is going on after waking up. Uh no, there is a long transition period of confusion and grogginess, and nobody hit hard on the head is going to get up and run around, and even fight, they just want to lie down. Add to that - Anyone waking up in the morning looks good and just jumps right up. No snorfing and snotting, and certainly no running to take a piss. Also - Mastermind serial killers happen every week in crime shows. In real life? They are exceedingly rare and front page news for months and result in books being written and multiple TV shows and podcasts. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/109 "2021-02-06T20:01:21Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Quicksand is a perfect fit for the OP’s condition of something common in movies that _almost_ never happens in real life. Not sure if it’s exactly quicksand but [this](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2018/05/14/rescuers-try-but-rising-tide-claims-woman/) sure haunts my dreams. > “It was inundating everybody,” Opalka said. “By that time it was over her head - she was breathing through the tube. I had ahold of her legs, her armpits, anything.” ---
**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:** [February 6, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/110 "2021-02-06T20:04:11Z")
People having consensual unprotected sex within minutes of becoming acquainted. A complete unknown auditions for a part or applies for a job and nails it immediately. A stalkee falls in love with his or her stalker. People who have nothing in common and can’t stand each other decide they can’t live without each other… ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/111 "2021-02-06T20:07:20Z")
Cop and medical shows/movies seem to have the most ridiculous tropes. One favorite in police dramas (this happens in novels as well) is officers/detectives investigating crimes in which they have a personal interest, while totally disregarding their scheduled duties. In real life they’d never get away with it. In fantasy medicine, lab results including complicated toxicologies and DNA analyses are always completed within hours or by the next day at the latest. In reality, the waiting time often stretches into weeks.\* \*in an actual case I’ve been following, an antivaxer/“pharma whistleblower” out in California either committed suicide or was murdered by Big Pharma (take your pick) on December 7th. Final death classification was said to be pending toxicology results which normally take 4-6 weeks. There’s still no word yet on the results (either a massive coverup or the lab taking their sweet time - again, take your pick). ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/112 "2021-02-06T20:09:35Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > Guy, somewhat world weary, walks up to the bar, orders a drink, usually glass of whisky… With no brand mentioned. Or _“Gimme a beer.”_ And the bartender just does it. I’d love to write a scene: “Tough day, Gimme a beer.” “We’ve got Fantasy Factory, Spotted Cow, Blue Moon…”, “Really tough day. Just gimme a beer.” “That’s too bad. You want a hoppy small-batch IPA, or a Pilsner from a mega-bottler?” “A beer.” “So, you in the mood for a bottle, a can, or personally I’d go for a draft in a tall cold pint glass.” “Give. Me. A. Beer.” “Okay, here’s your Natty Light…” “Pfffft! _[spits first mouthful all over the bar]_… What _IS_ this crap?” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/113 "2021-02-06T20:15:16Z")
> [@TheCuse](#): > > I’ve never had to ask for change or to break a large bill in order to leave a tip. So you’d leave a 20 for a $6 beer? Good for you if you’re that generous… . . . tangent: I miss my local pub where a local craft brew and an order of crispy fries is (with a 22% tip) exactly $10. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/114 "2021-02-06T20:21:40Z")
You’re assuming I have nothing smaller than a twenty! And even if I had to use a twenty to buy a beer, I’d get change back in which to leave a tip. So, I’d get fourteen dollars back, and I would probably leave the bartender two or three bucks. Note that I did not ask the bartender to break a large bill in order for me to simply leave a tip. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/115 "2021-02-06T20:24:44Z")
See, you’re doing what real people do. Movie people just drop a bill on the bar or table, and leave. Or my favorite: reach in their front pocket and drop a wadded up clump of bills on the table as they rush out. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/116 "2021-02-06T20:25:27Z")
People who have middle level jobs living in massive apartments with great views of New York. Yeah, right. Plus how many times in real life does an informant start to give a killer’s name and gets shot before finishing. Maybe that one has gone away with cell phones, so they don’t need to do it in public pay phones. My number one is finding parking spaces, but that’s been covered twice already. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/117 "2021-02-06T20:29:09Z")
> [@digs](#): > > See, you’re doing what real people do. Movie people just drop a bill on the bar or table, and leave. > > Or my favorite: reach in their front pocket and drop a wadded up clump of bills on the table as they rush out. I never just do either of those. If I do leave the money and tip on the counter (after getting the bill), I at least get the waitress’s attention if she’s busy and I need to leave. That would be wrong just to leave a wadded clump of bills. I know I shove money into my pocket when leaving the store or something, but once I get home, I straighten them out and put them in the proper order. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/118 "2021-02-06T20:31:50Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > And dead people are immediately stone still. I haven’t been around any death, and that probably happens sometimes, but I hear the process of dying can often involve some movement, spasms, writhing, etc. I have been around the dying and the newly dead. Yes, the freshly dead can still move. It’s not (usually) dramatic but twitches, mouth or eyelids opening, and such are not unusual. > [@salinqmind1](#): > > People who close their eyes and just expire. Like they’re taking a nap - a looooong nap. I actually HAVE seen two people expire in that manner… but one of them later opened his eyes about half way. Both of them terminally ill and lying quietly when the end came. But it is certainly NOT the way everyone dies, especially someone having a violent/abrupt death. > [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > In reality: You know those people who show up at subzero sporting events barechested, and often drunk? According to Christopher Wanjek in the book “Bad Medicine” Most of them wind up in emergency wards with dangerously low core body temperatures. I’m sure consuming lots of beer during said games (a common adjunct) doesn’t help with maintaining body temperature, either. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/119 "2021-02-06T20:40:53Z")
> [@TheCuse](#): > > If I do leave the money and tip on the counter (after getting the bill), I at least get the waitress’s attention if she’s busy and I need to leave. That’s what I was referring to. Why did you tsk-tsk my original post? > [@digs](#): > > Or my favorite: reach in their front pocket and drop a wadded up clump of bills on the table as they rush out. Exactly the TV/movie trope I referred to. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/120 "2021-02-06T20:42:42Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > That’s what I was referring to. Why did you tsk-tsk my original post? Sorry. Didn’t mean to. I had a brain fart. [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=5) [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=7)