# What I've learned about American every day life from tv and movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532 "2012-09-12T19:10:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/41 "2012-09-13T06:04:03Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > American police officers all have disastrous personal lives, and they never find joy or satisfaction in their work. Conversely, however, no American criminal ever gets away with a crime, and all American police stations are filled with tens of millions of dollars of equipment that can find a miniscule case-breaking piece of forensics inside 12 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/42 "2012-09-13T09:02:20Z")
American women come in two sizes: transparent and huge. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/43 "2012-09-13T11:36:54Z")
> [@laina\_f](#): > > American wives are shrill, demanding, and always right. Their husbands are bumbling idiots. Those husbands cannot step into a kitchen without destroying it, and cannot prepare any meal more complicated than cereal. They will always burn toast. No American has more than one friend of a different race or ethnicity (Truth in Television, that one.) Sex in America is feast or famine - Americans either have copious amounts of fantastic sex, or none at all. No American uses birth control. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/44 "2012-09-13T12:43:20Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > Conversely, however, no American criminal ever gets away with a crime Or if they do, justice will be served when they get gunned down on the courthouse steps. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/45 "2012-09-13T12:53:50Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Americans who work together are incredibly involved with each other’s lives–hanging out together, visiting, having romances, and discussing everything except work. > [@Bayard](#): > > American police officers all have disastrous personal lives, and they never find joy or satisfaction in their work. > [@Rubixcube](#): > > I you’re a genius, highly observant, and great at solving mysteries then you will > A. Be the only person capable of doing whatever it is you do. > B. Be a total dick to everyone you encounter since you know that they can’t do anything without you. > C. Be allowed do do virtually anything you can think of no matter how ridiculously stupid or reckless or illegal with limited repercussions, and when there are repercussions you will end up scot-free because everyone will work together to bail you out despite how horrible you are because they can’t do anything without you. > D. Despite all of the above everyone will secretly want to sleep with you. To be fair, a close study of UK TV would lead you to the same conclusions about Brits. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/46 "2012-09-13T12:57:51Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Oh, and I learned from “Cops” that every innocent driver pulled over for whatever minor offense will be drunk, wanted on previous warrants, be carrying drugs, and the car doesn’t belong to him; he borrowed from a neighbour. More importantly, the show dramatically demonstrates that it is not safe to drive around with your windows open; people will _throw drugs into your car_ to get you in trouble and leave forbidden items in your trunk (boot, to furriners). Also, Americans are all taught from an early age to be completely honest with law enforcement, as can be seen from the way they spontaneously declare to police officers “I’m not going to lie to you”. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/47 "2012-09-13T13:12:24Z")
American homes have no entry halls, you step directly into the living room from the street. Said living rooms always have sofas positioned in the middle of the floor perpendicular to the wall where the door is. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/48 "2012-09-13T13:13:08Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > American police officers all have disastrous personal lives, and they never find joy or satisfaction in their work. And there is a amazingly high mortality rate during the last week before retirement. And all cops work day and night. Sometimes for day after day. And no one seems to care about putting in for overtime. I have also learned that a large percentage of Americans are actually British or Australian and pretending to be American. > [@Leaffan](#): > > Oh, and I learned from “Cops” that every innocent driver pulled over for whatever minor offense will be drunk, wanted on previous warrants, be carrying drugs, and the car doesn’t belong to him; he borrowed from a neighbour. To be fair that show is real. They shoot a tremedous amount of footage. 99% is boring and gets tossed. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/49 "2012-09-13T13:30:40Z")
Americans only have 4 to 5 friends each, one and only one of whom is a different color, and they hang out with each other at work, their homes and everywhere else all the time. Anyone else who interacts with one of us won’t last long. Hey, we’ve finished the Johnson brief, now let’s all go to the local bar we always hang out at every single day. Later we will meet up at my apartment to discuss which of us will be sleeping with the other this week. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/50 "2012-09-13T13:39:07Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Dance club music is always low enough to have a normal (non shouting) conversation in. This one really bothers me. TV would have us believe that it’s possible to have a phone conversation at a nightclub, rock concert, or next to a jumbo jet. If I’m having a quiet walk in the woods, I won’t hear my phone ring. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/51 "2012-09-13T13:43:36Z")
American men have plaid bathrobes that actually match their plaid pajamas. More than one set, too! And they wear the matching bathrobe over the pajamas - even though they live in California. (This is one that always makes we wonder. I’ve never even seen matching bathrobes and pajamas anywhere. Nor have I ever seen anyone wear such a combo, in real life - ever!) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/52 "2012-09-13T13:58:24Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > To be fair that show is real. They shoot a tremedous amount of footage. 99% is boring and gets tossed. You don’t say. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/53 "2012-09-13T15:04:35Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > American men have plaid bathrobes that actually match their plaid pajamas. More than one set, too! And they wear the matching bathrobe over the pajamas - even though they live in California. > > (This is one that always makes we wonder. I’ve never even seen matching bathrobes and pajamas anywhere. Nor have I ever seen anyone wear such a combo, in real life - ever!) It’s weird even on TV. Only Alan Harper wears it, and it’s to make him look a little nerdy and a little effeminate. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/54 "2012-09-13T15:07:55Z")
Every law enforcement team has exactly one Black person. He must be young, male, have a shaved head, and have some (at least implied) chemistry with a White female team member. A Black female may be part of the team, but she must not be young or attractive. She must be earnest and mouthy. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/55 "2012-09-13T15:34:07Z")
All American cars are designed to explode as they run off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/56 "2012-09-13T15:39:52Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > But apartments only exist in New York City. Everywhere else people live in two-story houses located in the suburbs. And apparently Pasadena, CA (The Big Bang Theory). ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/57 "2012-09-13T15:42:36Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Americans have a bar in their houses, and make cocktails daily. If they don’t have a bar, they always have a good supply of wine on hand. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/58 "2012-09-13T15:45:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Only Alan Harper wears it… So does Dr. Sheldon Cooper! ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/59 "2012-09-13T15:46:11Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > So does Dr. Sheldon Cooper! Aha, _two_ effeminate nerds on the same network! ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/60 "2012-09-13T15:52:34Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > American homes have no entry halls, you step directly into the living room from the street. Must not be a lot of single story ranch-style homes where you live. Or mobile homes either for that matter. I also know of a lot of older homes that have the front door opening directly into the living room. Both my grandmother’s houses were like that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532.md?page=4)