Pretty much everyone knows the feeling of dealing with people who have no idea what your profession is actually all about. Sometimes it even becomes frustrating to explain the nuances of your job over and over again. But if people will pay attention to this post, many won't have to do it ever again.
Recently, Portland-based icon designer Louie Mantia started a very informative Twitter thread, asking people, "What's something that seems obvious within your profession, but the general public seems to misunderstand?" Many people rushed to debunk the myths surrounding their professions, and their responses are both hilarious and eye-opening.
"I was inspired to ask that question because I too have felt like there are misconceptions about what I do," Mantia told Bored Panda. "Earlier that day, I posted about best practices in app icon design, and was met with a lot of pushback. I realized a lot of others probably feel the same way about their own jobs."
"I remember when I visited Buckingham Palace a few years back, there was an insane amount of people," Mantia added. "The police officers had to continually keep their cool while telling different people to stay in a certain area. They couldn’t get mad at them because every time they had to say it was to a different person." He thinks a lot of people can relate to that. "They might have to repeat something to [their] customer, but that customer doesn’t have the knowledge or experience about the other side that often. They need a short explanation."
Mantia thinks there are many reasons why such misunderstandings are common, but pop culture is the big one. "Hospital shows portray hospital jobs inaccurately. Law shows do the same. And any show that has ever shown someone pounding away at a keyboard has contributed to some incorrect views of hacking or programming," he said. "TV and movies can do a lot of damage in this regard. For example, Lee Unkrich at Pixar noted that voices are recorded before the animation. But because of Mrs. Doubtfire’s opening scene with Robin Williams recording a cartoon character’s voice after the animation was finished, a lot of people now believe that’s the way it’s done."
Continue scrolling to read the responses Mantia has received and upvote your faves! (Facebook cover image: Marina Kuperman Villatoro)
More info: louiemantia.com | Twitter
This post may include affiliate links.
Nurse
wait, you're NOT all sexy? well sorry, but saving lives and healing the sick is pretty sexy in my book.
Librarians
Do people not go to libraries? Our community library plays a big role in the community.
Programmer
Photographer
Environmental Scientist
Marriage, Family, And Sex Therapist
It Consultant
As my families IT-technician (because I do work in IT) I can relate to this so much.
Editor
As a writer I got always a similar question: "Is your editor correcting typos and grammar?" Ehm, no, that is the job of the corrector. The editors job is.. see above
Forester
Dietitian
This 100000x. Yes cut your carbs, get skinny fast, but as soon as you start back eating them...
Massage Therapist
Massagists have unfortunately a bad reputation from all the frauds in this area :(
Artist
I could say the same thing about Graphic Designers. People want amazing logos, corporate image, websites, campaigns and all.... but they don't want to pay for it, because.. "their niece could do better in powerpoint".
Baker
Clinical Social Worker
Yes yes yes!!! I was going to add this if it wasn't here!! I'm a medical social worker. I work in a hospital and some patients have a terrified look when I say I'm a social worker. I work for a hospital not child protective services. It blows my mind that the general public has no idea how many different kinds of social workers there actually are.
High School Teacher
That is true (go, Jay, go!) - but is it eye-opening? I thought that was common knowledge.
Bartender
No, but some people don't like the alcohol they do get to be so diluted.
Cell Biologist
Archaeologist
Lawyer
Interpreter
One things that annoys me so much is when people translate idioms from one language by just directly translating the words. That's not how it works. You need to find the closest meaning of the idiom itself, not the words it contains.
Intern
I am tutoring an intern right now and make sure SHE benefits from this work experience. Coworkers who tried to give her their work to do would soon learn that they have to go through me...so this was nipped in the bud.
Director Of Marketing
Historian
It's more of a "we know more now about this than we did 5 years ago." Things I learned as absolute fact as a child are now known to be rubbish thanks to advancements in science, such as the Hopewell disappearing. They didn't disappear, their culture changed and we didn't realize it until DNA testing advanced to a point we could look for them. People will fight you on this tooth and nail because "that's not what I learned when I was a child!" (I've worked as a public archaeologist in a history museum. You either find this sort of thing entertaining or infuriating)
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I would disagree with this, as a professor of history. Facts do not change. How we interpret them changes, how we understand them changes, and we learn new facts surrounding them which may change the context and therefore our understanding. If a man is shot in 1807, that is a historical fact. It happened. That fact does not change, nor will it. If the first historian to write about it thinks he was attacked unfairly, that is one interpretation. If the next historian digs deeper and learns the man was having an affair and the shooter was the man's rival, this changes the context. If we then learn that the mistress left a note begging the rival to shoot the man, we have another nuance. If we learn that the wife of the man and his mistress met, revealed his financial situation, and conspired... and so on and so on. History changes not because the facts themselves change, but because we dig to learn new facts and how we 'read' an event shifts as a result.
But occasionally a man is shot in 1807, but then historians discover that he faked his own death. The actual facts don't change, but not everything we think is a fact actually is.
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Facts are often hidden or distorted to fit in with a particular narrative. Mainstream media are masters at this.
Sometimes historical facts can change because new information comes along and challenges the established story which might have been propaganda by the victors, so the record must be put straight. But more often than not nowadays, history changes because it suits some people in power to have a story that glorifies them. For example, let's not start on how the history of my country (Romania) has been manipulated by 50 years of brutal communist dictatorship and that a lot of falsehoods still persist because they made us feel good about ourselves (the "approved" story was that Romanians invented everything from the fountain pen to the jet engine and the ancient Dacians were the best, and the bravest and the most amazing of the ancient peoples and it's a wonder they didn't have lasers considering just how advanced they were) no matter how damaging it is to our image abroad - after all, if you get caught in an obvious lie, nobody will ever believe you when you speak the truth afterwards...
No, they can't! Just the way to look at them and value them can change, we can reach more knowledge and see the bigger picture - but the fact itself stays the same.
Better to say, 'what is held to be a fact changes', in your opinion?
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Depends on the perspective and how strong the revisionist are. We have all been witness to some really inventive revisionary history.
Ni, they can't. What we think is a fact nya change, bit the fact itself don't. The rest is actually perception and what we read into something. An example: The US droppen 2 nuclear bombs on Japan in the end of WW2. Thats the fact, and it will still be a fact in 1000 years. Our political or moral feelings about that may change, though. You can apply that to anything about history: whatever happened happened, and we cannot change that. But we might missunderstand and get the fact wrong. And we might change our judgement about it over time.
Neuroscientist
Pharmacist
Sorry Debbie, you kind of do. I was in pharma sales and guess what? unless you are not in a drug store or a grocery store, you are mostly paid to double check what under paid pharmacy techs do for you. And guess what? You get paid 6 figures and the Pharmacy Tech gets barely minimum wage. Yet they do the yeoman's work. Sorry. I know I'll get down voted, but you aren't mixing in a compounding pharmacy or working in a hospital, you are a pill counter and a consultant at the checkout window. And telling people on which aisle the cough syrup is at.
Psychologist
I am sorry, but I love that. Did actually really someone ask you if you can read his mind? That's hilarious.
Creative
Veterinary Technician
The problem is the health care system for humans and non humans alike in the USA. I have lived in first world and third world countries. And only in the US are the costs the way they are. Countries with both free public (100% free) and non free private care, the latter is still 90% less than if you do have insurance in the US. For pet care, procedures and minimal routine care is not supposed to break the bank. And don't get me started on dental care. All you need to do is talk to others who have lived in countries that actually provide a standard of health care that is decent. Only in "America" there are horror stories of how unaffordable getting sick is.
Musician
Howard Goodall wrote the theme songs for Red Dwarf and every Blackadder series.
Composer
Tell me about it... All the majors I know are actually somewhat grumpy or overly serious people, and a lot of the minors around where I live seem quite jolly...
Animator
Neil, are you an expert animator? Obviously not, as Animation is Art, and to do it well takes time. BitCoin is make believe computer money, only supported by popular demand, which will disappear when the "next big thing" comes along. Quit being an a*s.
Chemist
Some are discovered and reinvented through stepwise processes in the lab.
Teacher
My moms a teacher/professor and an adjunct (I think that’s the word) and i can tell it’s really hard
Arborist
Don't you tell me Dave still has that rickety ladder. I've told him 100 times to get rid of that thing.
Radiographer
Linguist
Let's also agree, that by definition, English is the most "tainted" language in the Solar system. It is the most-spoken second-langauge by a huuuuuge margin. Germanic-languages aside, English is poorly understood, both grammatically and particularly, in tone by almost every other language. Slang lives outside the grammar and diction, and cannot be used to compare "right or wrong use" of English. The purpose of grammar, diction, and tone, (in any language) it to make sure the thoughts and feelings expressed in your mind, are verbally communicated as close as possible in your words. Less ambiguity, and a closer understanding of what the mind and heart are attempting to express.
Graphic Designer
Civil Engineer
Math Teacher
Actor
Occupational Therapist
Pediatrician
Only idiots could think such nonsense. Everybody who ever had a serious injured or ill kid (or once was one) knows otherwise.
Local News Reporter
First off, Balls, you don't know for certain that they work for a local paper---they might be local TV newscasters. Second, I didn't see any grammatical felonies in the statement. Quit being a grammar narc.
Transportation Engineer
Barista
Novelist
Speech Pathologist
Nonprofit Worker
Sister in law worked for a nonprofit making near nothing for the area, while the Vice President pockets massive amounts and CEO lays low and acts like “oh, I only pay myself 40k a year” but we all know that’s not their only means of money (lives in huge house to say the least).
Urban Planner
Copywriter
Ux Designer
French-English Translator
Model
General Practitioner
Waitress
Tipping is not optional - in the US! In other countries it is. The system is very unfair in the US.
Teachers seem to be thought of as magical parents these days. They're expected to take your kid and turn them into a better person, without giving any punishments that might hurt the kids feelings. However, if the teacher, heaven forbid, makes a mistake, then prepare to get sued, yelled at, and possibly lose their job. I remember when teachers were just supposed to teach... Good luck to all you new teachers out there.
Political scientists don't have an answer in their pockets "What to vote for?"
Hats off to all you accountants though. I made it through two years of business school majoring in accounting. And yes, the math itself wasnt complicated, but holy cow, all of the different ways to account for money and all of the concepts you have to remember broke me. I had to switch my major to finance and real estate, and yes, I was still able to complete a double major in less time than it would have took to finish my BA in accounting and the CPA exam. I truly respect you accountants more than ever now.
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Artist don't just sit around and draw or paint all day. We also still have to deal with clients, gallerists, other artists, some times assistants, many emails, phone calls, invoices, writing bios and statements which often change with each show, travel, conception, installation problems, packing, shipping, materials, web design, marketing, advertising, legal issues, copy infringement (from other artists) contracts from usage rights to commissions.. etc. Also galleries take 50% of all sales usually after a 20% discount. and as someone else stated you don't always have to be talented to be successful.
College Receptionist: I do not know the answer to your question. I might know how to direct your call to a professional in that field. Also, I don't know where Professor Jones is, leave a message.
And the follow up..No, I will NOT give out personal emails or phone numbers! NO I will not go look for Professor Smith! NO I don't know why he won't return your calls/emails/texts!
Load More Replies... Retail employees: no I do not know why those jeans are priced so high! Hey, here's a novel idea..stop harassing the poor employee just making barely above min wage! They have no power over any of these stupid ideas Corp comes out with! Why don't you call the corporate hq and harass them!
Stay-at-Home-Moms: 1) no we do not sit around all day in our jammies eating cookies and watching TV! 2) No I will not watch your kid for free just because I happen to be home. If your child is sick, I really do not want them getting my family sick! 3) just because I am a SAHM, does not mean I am too stupid to get a "real job"!
Preschool teacher We specialize in brain and physical development from zero to five years old. We are not babysitter that likes to play with cute perfect children.
I am a professional magician, no I don't pull a rabbit out of my hat, I know of no magician who actually does that. And no I cannot make your friend disappear.
People share the reasons why do they keep using the same formula when they add title to their posts and number 14 will makes you think it's just a f****g clickbait.
I understand that, in the US, the tip is not optionnal because they simply aren't paid a living wage. But every other country in the world, it's a courtesy. I already pay for my food and that amount SHOULD cover employees wage. I am the type to tip generously no matter, but it shouldn't be obligatory. It's not directed to the staff, but to a broken system.
#45 is spot on! When people learn I'm a local news reporter, why do they automatically assume I spend all my time writing about world politics?
My boyfriend wants to no why cops are not on the list? He said there are a lot of misconceptions. 1) No Karen I didn't give you a ticket to fill a quota I gave you a ticket because you blew a stop sign...in a school zone!!! 2) yes some cops are racist D bags but not all of us are, it goes back to the old saying just because one dog will bite doesn't mean another one will, of I pull you over it might just be a hey man just an FYI you might want to fix that broke taillight no because it's the law...but if you start yelling at me yea your going to p*** me off and I'll ticket you instead of just a heads-up.
A single bad influence can ruin what would otherwise remain good. Cops are very tight and most of the time ignore, overlook or downright support shady stuff other cops do. That's a fact. If we like it or not. Don't forget almost 40% of cops are likely to engage in domestic violence which is extremely devastating. Do I believe every cop is bad? No. Do think a lot of cops look away when bad stuff happens? Yes. A lot of cops would rather defend their colleagues. Just search for stories of small down police Stations or wrongful deaths. It's a thing and it's not going away by saying "not every cop"...They have to take responsibility.
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I'm a Podiatrist...no, we don't just cut toenails, if that was all we do I wouldn't have had to study at university for 4 years.
Retail workers: We are paid less than a living wage most of the time, and we do our best to accommodate our clients. While clients pressure us for discounts, we have no say as to our pricing, and can lose our jobs, if we give said discounts: our hours of work do not matter to the client walking in one minute before the store closes. We work holidays away from our families, because you cannot accept that you can't buy what you need/ want tomorrow. Or yesterday. We are always on call. The world needs to be less focused on material things, and accept all holidays, as what they are meant to be, a day with family.
Law Clerk Yes, we do all of the research and writing. No, we do not, and will never get credit for good work.
Car Salespeople aren't selling cars because it's the only thing we can do. It is not easy money like people assume and why turn over is so high. Many of us are educated and work our asses off. We have to put up with people treating us poorly with smiles on our faces. We are product specialists who take pride in knowing our product. We know you spend a minimum of 36 hours doing research online. Why do you still treat us like we are ripping you off. Also, stop reading "how to buy a car" articles. They're B.S. treat me like a human being and I'll treat you the same.
Teachers seem to be thought of as magical parents these days. They're expected to take your kid and turn them into a better person, without giving any punishments that might hurt the kids feelings. However, if the teacher, heaven forbid, makes a mistake, then prepare to get sued, yelled at, and possibly lose their job. I remember when teachers were just supposed to teach... Good luck to all you new teachers out there.
Political scientists don't have an answer in their pockets "What to vote for?"
Hats off to all you accountants though. I made it through two years of business school majoring in accounting. And yes, the math itself wasnt complicated, but holy cow, all of the different ways to account for money and all of the concepts you have to remember broke me. I had to switch my major to finance and real estate, and yes, I was still able to complete a double major in less time than it would have took to finish my BA in accounting and the CPA exam. I truly respect you accountants more than ever now.
Load More Replies... Artist don't just sit around and draw or paint all day. We also still have to deal with clients, gallerists, other artists, some times assistants, many emails, phone calls, invoices, writing bios and statements which often change with each show, travel, conception, installation problems, packing, shipping, materials, web design, marketing, advertising, legal issues, copy infringement (from other artists) contracts from usage rights to commissions.. etc. Also galleries take 50% of all sales usually after a 20% discount. and as someone else stated you don't always have to be talented to be successful.
College Receptionist: I do not know the answer to your question. I might know how to direct your call to a professional in that field. Also, I don't know where Professor Jones is, leave a message.
And the follow up..No, I will NOT give out personal emails or phone numbers! NO I will not go look for Professor Smith! NO I don't know why he won't return your calls/emails/texts!
Load More Replies... Retail employees: no I do not know why those jeans are priced so high! Hey, here's a novel idea..stop harassing the poor employee just making barely above min wage! They have no power over any of these stupid ideas Corp comes out with! Why don't you call the corporate hq and harass them!
Stay-at-Home-Moms: 1) no we do not sit around all day in our jammies eating cookies and watching TV! 2) No I will not watch your kid for free just because I happen to be home. If your child is sick, I really do not want them getting my family sick! 3) just because I am a SAHM, does not mean I am too stupid to get a "real job"!
Preschool teacher We specialize in brain and physical development from zero to five years old. We are not babysitter that likes to play with cute perfect children.
I am a professional magician, no I don't pull a rabbit out of my hat, I know of no magician who actually does that. And no I cannot make your friend disappear.
People share the reasons why do they keep using the same formula when they add title to their posts and number 14 will makes you think it's just a f****g clickbait.
I understand that, in the US, the tip is not optionnal because they simply aren't paid a living wage. But every other country in the world, it's a courtesy. I already pay for my food and that amount SHOULD cover employees wage. I am the type to tip generously no matter, but it shouldn't be obligatory. It's not directed to the staff, but to a broken system.
#45 is spot on! When people learn I'm a local news reporter, why do they automatically assume I spend all my time writing about world politics?
My boyfriend wants to no why cops are not on the list? He said there are a lot of misconceptions. 1) No Karen I didn't give you a ticket to fill a quota I gave you a ticket because you blew a stop sign...in a school zone!!! 2) yes some cops are racist D bags but not all of us are, it goes back to the old saying just because one dog will bite doesn't mean another one will, of I pull you over it might just be a hey man just an FYI you might want to fix that broke taillight no because it's the law...but if you start yelling at me yea your going to p*** me off and I'll ticket you instead of just a heads-up.
A single bad influence can ruin what would otherwise remain good. Cops are very tight and most of the time ignore, overlook or downright support shady stuff other cops do. That's a fact. If we like it or not. Don't forget almost 40% of cops are likely to engage in domestic violence which is extremely devastating. Do I believe every cop is bad? No. Do think a lot of cops look away when bad stuff happens? Yes. A lot of cops would rather defend their colleagues. Just search for stories of small down police Stations or wrongful deaths. It's a thing and it's not going away by saying "not every cop"...They have to take responsibility.
Load More Replies... I'm a Podiatrist...no, we don't just cut toenails, if that was all we do I wouldn't have had to study at university for 4 years.
Retail workers: We are paid less than a living wage most of the time, and we do our best to accommodate our clients. While clients pressure us for discounts, we have no say as to our pricing, and can lose our jobs, if we give said discounts: our hours of work do not matter to the client walking in one minute before the store closes. We work holidays away from our families, because you cannot accept that you can't buy what you need/ want tomorrow. Or yesterday. We are always on call. The world needs to be less focused on material things, and accept all holidays, as what they are meant to be, a day with family.
Law Clerk Yes, we do all of the research and writing. No, we do not, and will never get credit for good work.
Car Salespeople aren't selling cars because it's the only thing we can do. It is not easy money like people assume and why turn over is so high. Many of us are educated and work our asses off. We have to put up with people treating us poorly with smiles on our faces. We are product specialists who take pride in knowing our product. We know you spend a minimum of 36 hours doing research online. Why do you still treat us like we are ripping you off. Also, stop reading "how to buy a car" articles. They're B.S. treat me like a human being and I'll treat you the same.
