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
Exactly. Let's not mistake "belief" for "evidence" and "peer reviewed" research.
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Ah, the ol' 'comment section becomes political and argumentative' posts...give it a rest, will ya? People who believe that climate change is real will never change the minds of people who don't, and visa versa. This is not helpful.
interesting fact, an ice age is defined when both polar caps are covered in ice, like now. so we're in an ice age (technically), from what I can gather the caps have been freezing then melting then freezing etc etc on loop, the issue is that we've dramatically sped things up this time around.
Climate change is SCIENCE, not the Tooth Fairy. Regardless of what you believe, it is happening. If 9 out of ten oncologists tell your child needs chemo, do you go with the one that doesn't?
NASA most recently state that ice losses from Antarctica have tripled since 2012. This link is to an article from June 2018. https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/ramp-up-in-antarctic-ice-loss-speeds-sea-level-rise. Oh, I'm not American so my voting only effects the drivel in charge of the UK.
I feel with the climate change debate that it's happening at two tiers at one level you have the scientific community in which it seems to be more about the extent of our contribution to the problem, and then you have the more mainstream debate between protestors and conspiracy theory types the latter of which seems to argue that the climate has remained consist until the industrial age and conspiracy theory types that just flat out deny that we are having any kind of impact at all.
I see it more as a question of how much is man made and how much is natural due to the evidence of such natural changes. Currently I would say most is man made.
Often that's not what the really vocal people are questioning though. Your query is reasonable, but they're like "It sometimes snows in hot places so there can't be global warming!", apparently not understanding that it's not just the world as a whole getting consistently hot - with air pressure and various weather patterns that's just not how it works.
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The argument I get from deniers or unsures is, 'but what about the ice age? What about the climate changes in the past?' And also the classic 'but records don't go back that far'. They are ignorant of the records in the ice and the rocks, and they don't seem to get that it's the speed of the change that is man made, that we won't be able to recover from. The planet however, will recover eventually, and be just fine without us.
This is ridiculous. Why on earth would I believe anyting scientists are saying about climate change when politicians are clearly the experts.
Why isn't that on top of the list?!! It is the most important point here.
So the changing climate prior to the industrial revolution never happened??? The question is not if there is climate change, it is how much is manmade!!
If people still believe we live on a 'flat earth' (The Flat Earth Society - https://www.tfes.org) and can have a religion called the 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' (https://www.venganza.org/about).... then arguing that climate change is fake seems obvious to such tiny-minded people. Even after a week of record-setting heat across the globe (https://globalnews.ca/news/4311444/heat-wave-weather-across-the-world/)
Nobody believes there is a Flying Spaghetti Monster, buddy. That's the whole freaking point. (Flat-earthers DO believe the Earth is flat, unfortunately.)
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3% who think we are only partially to blame..yeah, both sides
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Real- definetely. Manmade- seriously doubtful and up for dispute. Was the last ice age also manmade? From wikipedia: "From 1950 to 2009, the American government's surface temperature record shows an increase by 1 °F (0.56 °C)," Half a degree increase for half a century. And people think it's manmade? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjlC02NsIt0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0aFPXr4n4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_the_United_States
Well, I don't doubt that we are f***ing the planet big time, but this is just not true. The whole 97% thing is a myth. I still haven't seen any real proof. It's all either anecdotal, or "if you don't see that it's true then you are just stupid". There is some proof that temperatures are rising, but not that we are the cause. to be clear, I'm not saying it's not true, but there is no really good proof yet. Anyway, the fact that we are destroying the planet in a thousand ways is still far worse, and whether the planet is heating up or not is not that important. We need to change our ways. Starting with eating less meat. (haha, I know you don't like that last part there, huh!)
This guy is saying that the belief that “climate change is certainly real and any doubt is manufactured by special interest groups” is a MISCONCEPTION. Meaning he’s saying that findings are still disputable and that there is doubt from legitimate sources.
Good point. Nothing should be indisputable in science, even when we are 95% sure about it.
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
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.
