# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/161 "2012-09-19T22:20:11Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > Actually, this one is truer than you’d think. Pretty much all teenage and pre-teen girl clothes in stores these days are super-short and super-tight. It’s infuriating if you don’t want your daughter to look like a whore and she doesn’t want to wear anything her friends aren’t wearing. I am definitely going to steer my daughter towards fashionable yet modest clothing. How ever idealistic that may be, it is possible! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/162 "2012-09-19T22:51:47Z")
> [@Rubixcube](#): > > Similarly the very first thing people do when they get out of the shower is wrap themselves very securely with a towel. Also people rarely go nude in their own homes, and when they do there are items set up to perfectly cover all the naughty bits from nearly every angle. Geeky guys always wear shower caps. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/163 "2012-09-19T23:13:46Z")
Every kitchen has a waffle maker. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/164 "2012-09-19T23:31:26Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > And apparently prom dresses have all shrunk by a foot or more, and you will no longer find a full length ball gown in any formal store or boutique so everyone wears mini cocktail dresses to school dances. There may be some Truth in Television to this. I don’t think I even know any high school students now, but I walked past the juniors section at Penney’s the other day and they had a lot of formal dresses out for homecoming. I don’t think I saw any long gowns. I do see many young women out and about in casual maxi-length dresses and skirts, so maybe long dresses don’t seem “special” at the moment? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/165 "2012-09-20T00:16:00Z")
> [@brad\_d](#): > > In the Los Angeles area, elementary schools with “motel-style” classrooms whose doors open directly outside are very common. I’ve always presumed this is cheaper than fully-enclosing everything, and that it’s practical because we simply don’t have a “winter” they way much of the country would think of one. Interesting. When I went to elementary school in the early 70s on the east coast, the school served students from kindergarten through 6th grade, and had classrooms that opened to internal hallways, with the sole exception of the kindergarten classroom which opened to the internal hallway and to the outside - I assume that outside access was in case of emergency - since kindergarteners might not travel through the hallway in an orderly fashion under those circumstances. In more recent years, I have seen special needs classrooms without outside access, presumably for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/166 "2012-09-20T03:21:58Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I am definitely going to steer my daughter towards fashionable yet modest clothing. How ever idealistic that may be, it is possible! Good luck. I’ve got the most mature, decent daughter you can imagine, but just last week there was an “I wanna wear a miniskirt” battle that could have been from a 60s sitcom script. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/167 "2012-09-20T03:24:51Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Good luck. > > I’ve got the most mature, decent daughter you can imagine, but just last week there was an “I wanna wear a miniskirt” battle that could have been from a 60s sitcom script. I never want my baby girl to grow up…wah:( ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/168 "2012-09-20T11:16:39Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I am definitely going to steer my daughter towards fashionable yet modest clothing. How ever idealistic that may be, it is possible! [Heading to the beach?](http://78swim.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/169 "2012-09-20T19:48:01Z")
All American FBI Agents/SWAT teams know that when they kick their way into a perp’s home/apartment in traditional two-handed pistol stance it’s not necessary to search the closets before shouting “Clear!” for all to hear. All in-door crime-scene investigation MUST be done in dim light. All sewers are tall enough to walk upright in and by law must contain lighting and electrical conduits. All digital images can be examined for hidden information in complete detail by the use of the ‘Enlarge’ and ‘Clarify’ command. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/170 "2012-09-20T23:31:18Z")
For American cops, shooting someone dead is just an ordinary day at work. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/171 "2012-09-21T02:31:41Z")
If an American dad wants his son to love him, he only needs to take him outside and play catch - baseball or football. However, if any son grows up to be a drug addict, serial murderer, it is because his damned American dad admits he never had time to take his son out in the backyard to throw a ball. Taking your son to a real, professional baseball game is the Holy Grail - it proves undying father/son bonding and now everyone can (and most likely soon will) die happy. ---
**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:** [September 21, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/172 "2012-09-21T14:31:30Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > For American cops, shooting someone dead is just an ordinary day at work. Not quite; the paperwork’s a bitch. ---
**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 21, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/173 "2012-09-21T17:48:31Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > For American cops, shooting someone dead is just an ordinary day at work. Exactly. The ratio between the number of times American cops draw their weapons versus use their radios is 1:1. (Side note: many cops consider _Barney Miller_ to be the most accurate cop show ever, because it was the only one to show the detectives filling out paperwork.) All cops love doughnuts, and are able to eat as many as they desire, without gaining weight. The American military consists only of the Army and Navy, with a small Marine Corps. The Air Force is about 10 guys in a B-52, and the Coast Guard doesn’t exist at all. Oh, and the American military has no enlisted ranks, only officers and non-coms. Chinese and Thai restaurants exist, but only in New York or LA. Everywhere else, Americans eat meat and potatoes or pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/174 "2012-09-21T18:27:16Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > The American military consists only of the Army and Navy, with a small Marine Corps. The Air Force is about 10 guys in a B-52, and the Coast Guard doesn’t exist at all. Oh, and the American military has no enlisted ranks, only officers and non-coms. And the general or colonel is almost always some warmongering psycho who’s trying to cause trouble, doesn’t trust civilians despite the fact that they’re the subject matter experts at the scene of what ever is going on, or has some secret agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/175 "2012-09-21T18:42:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Heading to the beach?](http://78swim.com/) Actually, I have to admit that those two-piece [“modest full suits”](http://78swim.com/products.php?type=full) (tunic + leggings) are cute as a bug and look quite comfortable. I have nothing against bikini bathing suits on anyone who wants to wear one, but now that we’ve got high-tech swimsuit fabrics that are light and fast-drying instead of the soggy wool of yesteryear, a fuller-coverage swim outfit might actually be more convenient for many people. Especially with sun protection such a burning (ha ha) issue. Much less trouble than constantly having to slather sunscreen on all the exposed bits and then get sunburned on the spots you missed, that’s for sure. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/176 "2012-09-21T19:13:39Z")
> [@grude](#): > > At least 25% of the US population is jewish, any random group of friends will include a practicing jew most likely. An ethnic Jew, but almost certainly not a practicing Jew. ---
**Author:** ![KermitTheFrig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/47e85d/32.png) [@KermitTheFrig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KermitTheFrig)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/177 "2012-09-21T20:18:21Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I don’t think Canada is a real place. It’s an idea, Lake Wobegon, only colder. Does vBulletin support “like” buttons? SDMB needs them. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/178 "2012-09-21T20:45:24Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Exactly. The ratio between the number of times American cops draw their weapons versus use their radios is 1:1. > > (Side note: many cops consider _Barney Miller_ to be the most accurate cop show ever, because it was the only one to show the detectives filling out paperwork.) > . _The Wire_ surpassed Barney Millerwhen they showed, not only paperwork, but even – hold on to your hat – a search warrant being denied! WHAT!? That happens!? Outside of _The Wire_, search warrants are always granted or unecessary. Evidence from improper searches is never supressed, unless Dexter plans to kill the defendent later. here’s another one: NYPD officers usually write reports by fingerpecking at old manual or electric typewriters. … Actually, this is totally true. In 2009, the NYPD spent almost a milion dollars buying new typewriters. For realsies. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/179 "2012-09-21T21:01:26Z")
The most undateable, romantically challenged, hopeless losers have a date every week. After a night of sex when fornicators get out of bed they are still in their underwear. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532/180 "2012-09-21T23:34:52Z")
One light “karate chop” to the neck always puts a man into a long-lasting and completely harmless state of unconscienseness. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ive-learned-about-american-every-day-life-from-tv-and-movies/634532.md?page=10)