To ask what's the least realistic depiction of your job in a film, tv show or book?

[ZoinksRun]

I'm always watching things and thinking 'I bet that job isn't like that.' People in my job on tv are always dim, well dressed (immaculate hair, nails, shoes) and never look stressed which is very unrealistic! They do all seem to have 'ie' or 'y' ending names which to be honest is pretty accurate

My DH works in IT. He stopped watching NCIS when the resident geek hacked into the CIA in 30 seconds by "mirroring the firewall'.

Bonekickers was a shocker for archaeologists

Suits. That is not a realistic depiction of litigation. In court for full trial within days? No. Still loved it though 😂

I've never said "I put it to you" to a witness I'm cross-examining.

There was a horror film made with the main character killing her patients by the job I do. Totally unrealistic but everyone seems to believe it

@SenecaFallsRedux

Lots (I'm a lawyer), but being interested in fashion as I am, the overtly sexy clothes that women lawyers wear in some US TV shows amuse me no end. Tight fitting skirts and dresses, low cut blouses, sky high heels, etc. Not realistic at all, but fun to watch, (especially in my guilty pleasure Suits).

This, and also they make it FAR more exciting than it really is. The reality is just me at my desk for hours on end pouring over 250 page contracts, and sending emails. But that would be really boring TV.

Ally McBeal and Suits.
You don't walk into a solicitor's office one day and the whole issue is sorted the next. In 20+ years of litigation I've never ever seen one single piece of "evidence" turn up unexpectedly that shuts down the entire case, and case files are very bulky and many of them, not one little folder with a few sheets of paper!

*not a lawyer but worked in law for 20+ years

I’m in university professional services. There’s never an academic administration emergency. 🤣
I did see a TV drama called ‘Cheat’ or something similar, where a student was picked up for potential plagiarism in her Dissertation. The only marker gave it a straight fail - no double marking, a plagiarism investigation, or disciplinary hearing. It became the talk of our office for a few days. We’re so cutting edge. 🤣🤣🤣

The tiny hard-nosed finance people in that sodding Quickbooks advert.

Fuck off Quickbooks, your accounting software is shit anyway.

Donna Tartt, The Secret History - enjoyable book but absurd ideas about Greek and being a classics prof!

@Minesril wasn't that the subject of an episode of Morse?

That we like nothing more than going into homes and taking children away from their parents (social worker).
It really is a very very last resort and only occurs when there are very serious concerns about a child's safety.

I have never seen my job portrayed on screen. Shame, because I've already decided I'd like to be played either by Annette Badland or Harriet Walter.

I work in branding/marketing/content for my day job. It’s always depicted as fun, carefree, lots of meetings and amazing moodboards. It is not quite like that. I spend 75% of my time pitching, crossing fingers that I’ve closed the deal, chasing unpaid invoices, trying to keep track of all the invoices I have spent etc. The rest of the time is being technical, researching keywords and competitors etc, preparing analytics and proof of campaigns. I’d say 10% of my week at most is actually the fun stuff.

My other job is writer. I have not had a book or story do so amazingly well that I can swan off to live in an apartment in any city I choose and live off the proceeds while waiting for inspiration to strike for the next book.

I've never seen my job depicted on screen and I doubt I ever well, mores the pity!

I have often wondered how realistic the TV series 'Bodies' is. I have a bad feeling some of it is probably quite accurate.

@ShippingNews

Carry On Nurse.

Au contraire, I am EXACTLY like Barbara Windsor in the carry on films.

@MareofBeasttown

Carrie in Sex and the City. Writers do not get paid that much and certainly cant afford Jimmy Choos.

Some do! The woman who wrote it did.

Social worker - Eastenders. They never seem to get it right or even close

Not watched it in years but the last social work story line I watched had me shouting at the TV it was so inaccurate

[quote ZoinksRun]@Katefoster yeah they just keep Jane on reception but she can come and set up for an implant at a moments notice [/quote]
I have a friend who is a dental receptionist and does cover for the nurses. She was trained up for it but it is genuinely what she does.

@Merryoldgoat

Nobody would depict my job for entertainment purposes.

This 🤣

I would say investment banking and Wolf of Wall Street which was one long, druggy orgy.

Except there were some parallels; stupid hours meant excessive partying (or some people trying to grab an intimate moment together in the disabled loos.. just eugh). Swap strippers in the office for people liking to go to Spearmint Rhino after office nights out. Plenty of big houses and silly cars with partners they didn't see though (hopefully no teddy bear video cameras though).

[quote LadyofMisrule]@Minesril wasn't that the subject of an episode of Morse?[/quote]
Was it really? I haven't seen many episodes of Morse. May try and find it!

DH is a Police Officer. I've lost count of the drama's we've watched where a Police Officer does something so stupid, that it would ruin the whole case and make the evidence inadmissible. Contaminating rime scenes, or asking people things without cautioning them first. Also, Line of Duty and all those acronyms - no way are they used that much.

My job is far too dull to be on TV, but I do laugh because people think it's just for pocket money, as it's so easy. I earn more than most of my customers, but they would have no idea.

@HollaHolla

I’m in university professional services. There’s never an academic administration emergency. 🤣 I did see a TV drama called ‘Cheat’ or something similar, where a student was picked up for potential plagiarism in her Dissertation. The only marker gave it a straight fail - no double marking, a plagiarism investigation, or disciplinary hearing. It became the talk of our office for a few days. We’re so cutting edge. 🤣🤣🤣

On Saturday a dormitory at my daughter's university was hit by lightning. The resulting fire and water damage will render the building unusable for months, at least.

The residence life staff are now trying to find alternative housing for 144 students, who will show up in about a month. I suspect they consider this a bit of an administrative emergency.

Whilst there are occasions I'd love to be as grumpy and obstructive as Mrs Lamb in the motherland school office, I always go the extra mile for our children, parents and teachers.