FOT Forum
FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: yesno on April 29, 2008, 04:08:37 PM
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In whatever you do, there's probably some little thing that the general public doesn't understand, but which is essential to understanding your work.
When I worked in customer service-type jobs, the #1 thing that customers didn't understand is that my boss sees me every day. If you have some disagreement with me, he's probably going to take my side, not yours, whatever he might tell you.
When I teach people computers, the #1 thing people don't understand is that you don't do yourself any favors by just learning some particular program. That's like learning a phrasebook, instead of learning a language, but in a situation where learning the language is actually easier.
Now I'm in law school. The number one thing I didn't understand about American law before school, and which basically no one who hasn't been to law school gets, is the breakdown between the authority of federal and state courts.
Boring text in small font:
(Basically, state supreme courts are the highest court in the land when it comes to matters of interpreting their own law. One state might have a statute that says something. Another state might have the exact same statute. Each state might interpret them to mean something different. That's just the way it is! If a federal court hears a claim involving state law (in a mixed case of state and federal law, or because it's a suit between citizens of different states), it must defer to what that state's courts say about it. If it decides some novel question, the state courts are not bound by its interpretation. Federal courts can only decide issues of federal law and the constitution. Because the constitution trumps anything the state might do, lawyers get really creative in finding ways to turn any old argument into a constitutional question-- this is the only way to "appeal" from a state supreme court. This is also why the US Supreme Court has to decide a lot of really vague questions about "due process" and so on.)
/end boring
Is there something in whatever you do, that the general public or the press or whatever just consistently doesn't understand?
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The #1 thing that people don't understand about working as a freelance writer is that I'm not readily available at any given time during day or night, for coffee, bar hopping and the like, simply because I have more control over my work schedule than regular worker bees. And become annoyed when I explain I have other things to do. "But you decide your own hours, right?"
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The one thing people don't understand about managing websites is that adding a bunch of flash and video clips that take a long time to develop doesn't always add to the user's experience or make them want to return to the site. Especially when your target audience is men and women over 65.
Luckily, the president of my company gets it. The VP's, however, just keep asking me to add "word games" and stupid multimedia clips to the websites. 8 hours of my time to develop a crossword puzzle??
I think not.
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the one thing people dont understand about any service-based job (ive ever worked) is stressing out doesnt make things happen on my end
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The one thing people don't understand about music critics is that we like music, and typically don't make it a point to think the general public are stupid assholes for not liking the same music we do -- at least not any more than your typical music obsessive that doesn't write reviews.
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The one thing college students don't understand about college staff (be it custodial, security, maintenance, or what-have-you) is that declaring the exorbitant cost of your tuition as license to do anything you like actually works against you in an argument.
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The thing that (mostly younger) undergraduates don't understand about their teachers is that I don't actually live in my office. Just because they show up does not mean I'll be magically conjured.
The thing that nobody understands about playwrights is that... actually people pretty much get it.
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The thing high school students don't understand about teachers is that we actually like them and want them to do well; to go forth and prosper. Giving a B- (or even a C or a D) on a paper is not tantamount to handing out a death sentence.
The other thing high school students don't understand about English teachers specifically is that we're not trying to "ruin" a piece of literature by asking you to think about it a little. I've heard too many people say, "I would have loved [insert book title here], except my teacher ruined it for me in school." Give me a break. I haven't dedicated my life to teaching you about literature so that you'll hate reading. What sense does that make?
That and text messaging. Boy, my blood doth boil.
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Give me a break. I haven't dedicated my life to teaching you about literature so that you'll hate reading. What sense does that make?
I think the teachers who ruin it are the ones who dedicated their life to teaching literature and didn't get any satisfaction from it and have given up at the expense of their students. I think the majority of students appreciate and love to learn from people who like to teach.
The thing most people don't get about radio DJ's is how little money the majority of them make. I do better than most beginners but most DJ's make close to minimum wage and most stations expect you to have a broadcasting degree.
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The thing high school students don't understand about teachers is that we actually like them and want them to do well; to go forth and prosper. Giving a B- (or even a C or a D) on a paper is not tantamount to handing out a death sentence.
The other thing high school students don't understand about English teachers specifically is that we're not trying to "ruin" a piece of literature by asking you to think about it a little. I've heard too many people say, "I would have loved [insert book title here], except my teacher ruined it for me in school." Give me a break. I haven't dedicated my life to teaching you about literature so that you'll hate reading. What sense does that make?
That and text messaging. Boy, my blood doth boil.
it bugs me when i hear, "i dont like to read when im told to do it and i dont do it on my own" (or along those lines).
one thing people dont understand about that kind of excuse is it has NOTHING to do with someone telling you to do it. in fact, the logic makes no sense, period.
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The thing most people don't understand about the management of an multi-billion dollar international oil company is that our record profits really have nothing to do with the record price of oil, or the record price of gas you are paying. These things are simply not connected. We acheive our record profits through increased efficency, like having our employees bring their own coffee cups instead of us buying them. Really.
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The thing most people don't understand about the management of an multi-billion dollar international oil company is that our record profits really have nothing to do with the record price of oil, or the record price of gas you are paying. These things are simply not connected. We acheive our record profits through increased efficency, like having our employees bring their own coffee cups instead of us buying them. Really.
(http://gispro.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/bullshit.jpg)
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As someone who actually is an employee of a successful oil company, the one thing people don't understand is that because I am not an executive at said company, higher gas prices actually hurt me just as much as everybody else. It's not like I'm getting a commission from the corner gas station or anything.
Even someone at my office who should have known better tried to congratulate me on oil going up to a record high recently, and I responded "Yay - my cost of living just went up!" They didn't really seem to get it.
And yes, I do have to bring my own coffee cup.
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The one thing people don't understand about time travel is that it's perfectly OK to mess with the present in order to change time lines and drastically alter the events of the future. In fact its pretty much the only reason for time travel at all.
If you think the present sucks then you should have seen it before I messed with it.
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The one thing people don't understand about managing websites is that adding a bunch of flash and video clips that take a long time to develop doesn't always add to the user's experience or make them want to return to the site.
Cheers to this. The one thing that people don't understand about developing websites "for teens" is that teens don't want to come to your crappy website, and neither would I.
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The number one thing people don't understand about working in a wine shop is that in order for me to help you find the bottle of wine you're looking for, you have to give me more to go on than, "it had a white label."
And for my other "job."
The number one thing that people who don't make comics/paintings/illustrations/etc. don't understand about making comics/paintings/illustrations/etc. is that computers are not magic and they don't just do all the work for you; you actually have to draw.
Now that's an unwieldy sentence.
Great topic, yesno.
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the #1 thing people don't understand about massage therapists is that i don't want to give drunk jerks free shoulder rubs at bars and parties.
the #1 thing people don't understand about being a mom is that i'm not turning down your offer to hang out tonight because i have to now that i'm a mom, i'm turning it down because i'd rather hang out with my partner and my kid because they're my favorite people on earth.
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The #1 thing people don't understand about email is every last freaking thing about it, from the lack of tone of voice making sarcasm a bad idea, to the continuing importance spelling, to stop sending me all of it.
The #1 thing people don't understand about murder is that it's actually pretty easy to get away with if you're not picky about your victim.
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The number 1 thing cat-haters don't understand about me is that when you make jokes about a cat's place being under the tires of your car, tell me they're disgusting and filthy creatures, or even laugh at videos of cats being mildly tortured, it makes me want to break your face with my foot.
(PS, cat-hater who I won't name: You're allergic! Did you ever think you might like them if you could get near them without having an asthma attack?)
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the one thing that people don't understand about me is how much I enjoy taking pictures of other peoples cats.
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The number 1 thing cat-haters don't understand about me is that when you make jokes about a cat's place being under the tires of your car, tell me they're disgusting and filthy creatures, or even laugh at videos of cats being mildly tortured, it makes me want to break your face with my foot.
(PS, cat-hater who I won't name: You're allergic! Did you ever think you might like them if you could get near them without having an asthma attack?)
no kidding...and that is generally the originating point for cat haters.
which is ridiculous!
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(PS, cat-hater who I won't name: You're allergic! Did you ever think you might like them if you could get near them without having an asthma attack?)
I just wrote a one-act play. check it out!
GUY WHO'S ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS
I hate peanuts. They make me die. Keep me away from peanuts.
PEANUT LOVER
I wanna punch you in the face! Did you ever think you might like peanuts if you could get near them without dying?
GUY WHO'S ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS
I have thought of that, but in any case it's irrelevant. My condition is such that peanuts will kill me and so I hate them. Sorry.
PEANUT LOVER
Fuming!
You asked for it!
Punches GWATP in the face.
Now, where have my beloved peanuts gotten to?
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This isn't meant to be mean or anything but the one thing people don't realize about people who don't like pets is that they probably don't have a real need for another companion (or companionship in general...) or need the satisfaction of nurturing something...and we don't get it why people hold their pets in such high regard. We just don't understand the concept.
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I don't know that I agree with that. I like companionship and I'm fairly nurturing, I think, I'm just not really a pet person. I have some plants that I like a lot and take care of, but I do not own any animals.
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I'm not a pet person and most people I know who aren't pet people are private and only need a few companions and prefer to be alone or with a small group of people. That's just my experience.
Another thing that has turned me off to pets is that a lot of people I've been around who own pets hold their animal in higher regard than the people in their lives. I find that disturbing.
Edit: But, you're right Emily, it wasn't fair to put everybody who doesn't care for pets into one personality group.
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Another thing that has turned me off to pets is that a lot of people I've been around who own pets hold their animal in higher regard than the people in their lives. I find that disturbing.
Oh, I've had to live with someone like that. Those people aren't pet-lovers, they're lunatics. I certainly prefer the company of my cats over the company of intolerable jerks, but the blanket policy of "my pet > people," is not right.
John Junk: You should add a shocking twist ending where the Guy Who Is Allergic to Peanuts runs over some peanuts with his car.
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Hey I have no problem with people who don't like or want pets. But don't sit there and crack jokes about killing them, or proclaim that they're as filthy as vermin (yes, people have said this to me before) like I'm not going to get offended. My cousin is allergic to cats (to the point of asthma) and it makes her sad that she can't have one. It doesn't turn her into an animal-hater who has no empathy for those who love them.
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I guess I'm a lunatic.
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Sorry, MOS. I'm lumping everyone together when there is one lunatic I had to live with who fits that description.
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No big deal. I guess it's inevitable, since I grew up listening to WEBN, the self-proclaimed "lunatic fringe of American FM" (aka typical classic-rock station).
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Another thing that has turned me off to pets is that a lot of people I've been around who own pets hold their animal in higher regard than the people in their lives. I find that disturbing.
Oh, I've had to live with someone like that. Those people aren't pet-lovers, they're lunatics. I certainly prefer the company of my cats over the company of intolerable jerks, but the blanket policy of "my pet > people," is not right.
John Junk: You should add a shocking twist ending where the Guy Who Is Allergic to Peanuts runs over some peanuts with his car.
absolutely, run the peanuts over.
as for pets v. people, i vote for people. my cat is great company, but i cant talk to him, etc. which gives people the margin over pets.
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most people I know who aren't pet people are private and only need a few companions and prefer to be alone or with a small group of people.
This describes me, and yet I have two cats and two dogs (down from my all-time high of four cats and three dogs). Is it really your experience that so-called pet people aren't private, need tons of companions, and prefer large groups of people? That certainly doesn't jibe with the notion that they prefer animals to the people in their lives.
When it comes down to it, I don't care if people don't have cats or dogs, and I don't see why they should care that I do. I only get annoyed when those indifferent to beasts go out of their way to question or even criticize my fondness for mine. And, like erika, I don't appreciate vicious antibeast jokes and think that those who feel compelled to make them are jerks. (I'm not referring to you, JJ, or to anyone else here; I'm thinking of various people I know who are fond of these kinds of cracks.)
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as for pets v. people, i vote for people. my cat is great company, but i cant talk to him, etc. which gives people the margin over pets.
Wait...you don't talk to your cat? I have long philosophical conversations with mine.
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the #1 thing that people who don't like pets don't understand about pets, is that it's fun to write/sing songs about them. ("them" being the pets, not the people who don't understand pets.)
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I don't think my pets understand why I sing songs about them either. They always look puzzled or annoyed.
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I don't think my pets understand why I sing songs about them either. They always look puzzled or annoyed.
My cat gets embarrassed and just sort of walks away.
My dog, on the other hand, thinks it's super exciting. Which is nice. It's always good to have an audience.
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My dogs prefer it when I dance. My cats like it when I whistle.
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When I sing to my cats (recent favorite: The Dirtbombs' "Everlovin' Man"), they just stare at me like they're trying to figure out which of us is predator or prey in this particular scenario.
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My dog genuinely likes it when I sing songs about him, but they have to be songs that feature his name, and have simple, nursery-rhyme melodies.
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the number one thing people don't understand about the FOT forum is that any thread can easy turn into one about cats
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the number one thing people don't understand about the FOT forum is that any thread can easy turn into one about cats
never underestimate the power of FOT ADD
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meow?
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Speaking of ADD:
(recent favorite: The Dirtbombs' "Everlovin' Man")
I bought this album about three hours ago and oh my goodness it is fantastic.
Getting back on topic:
Um, I have been sitting here trying to think of the thing people don't understand about being a high school student. I think you all pretty much get it.
The number one thing people don't understand about being a "barista" (I am not a fan of this term by any means) is that when you pour half your coffee directly into the garbage to make room for milk instead of asking me to just give you less coffee, the coffee and tea and milk and everything collect in the bottom of the garbage bag and then, later, when I'm taking out the trash and the bag breaks and I get your gross old coffee all over my ridiculous flameproof smock and super-uncomfortable awkward-fitting company t-shirt that I will have to keep wearing for the next four hours and that will probably not dry out completely before I get home, I will curse you and your entire family (past, present and future) in ways that would make even an old-timey sailor blush.
I quit that job, but not so long ago that I am not still filled with bitterness. Clearly.
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The number one thing people don't understand about being a "barista" (I am not a fan of this term by any means) is that when you pour half your coffee directly into the garbage to make room for milk instead of ...
I agree with this. And I was a barista for a while, so I know the dilemma. If you actually leave enough room, the occasional person will yell at you, like you're trying to rip him off by not giving him the 1/2 inch of extra coffee or whatever. So coffee shop people do in fact tend to overfill cups, leaving *some* room but so little that when you put milk in it, it's too full.
I think to-go coffee cups should have a little line, where if you want it filled past that you have to ask for it.
This is also why I sometimes like to get a medium coffee, in a large cup. It also avoids spillage.
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The number one thing people don't understand about statistics is that when you get them out of Reader's Digest, they probably don't mean what you most likely think they mean.
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The number one thing people don't understand about being a member of the support staff for a major medical school exam is that the job is 90% attaching things to the wall with sticky-tac.
Seriously!
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The number one thing people don't understand about being a "barista" (I am not a fan of this term by any means) is that when you pour half your coffee directly into the garbage to make room for milk instead of ...
I agree with this. And I was a barista for a while, so I know the dilemma. If you actually leave enough room, the occasional person will yell at you, like you're trying to rip him off by not giving him the 1/2 inch of extra coffee or whatever. So coffee shop people do in fact tend to overfill cups, leaving *some* room but so little that when you put milk in it, it's too full.
I think to-go coffee cups should have a little line, where if you want it filled past that you have to ask for it.
This is also why I sometimes like to get a medium coffee, in a large cup. It also avoids spillage.
The folks at my local coffee shop just ask if I'd like them to leave a little room for milk. That seems to work well enough.
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The number one thing people don't understand about being a member of the support staff for a major medical school exam is that the job is 90% attaching things to the wall with sticky-tac.
Seriously!
I don't know what I'd do without thumb tacs...
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The number one thing people don't understand about being a member of the support staff for a major medical school exam is that the job is 90% attaching things to the wall with sticky-tac.
Seriously!
I don't know what I'd do without thumb tacs...
Find another pointy object to leave on your husband's chair?
Also, while driving up to Woodbridge to spend the last ten bucks I had on hand on frozen mysis shrimp I realized that I don't own my fish. I'm totally their bitch, in a manner of speaking.
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Find another pointy object to leave on your husband's chair?
I'm so much more advanced than that! I meant, what would I eat? I'm totally hooked on thumb tacs.
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Find another pointy object to leave on your husband's chair?
I'm so much more advanced than that! I meant, what would I eat? I'm totally hooked on thumb tacs.
It is nice that the makers of tic tacs finally got around to it, I'll give you that.