Sometimes we think certain things in the world or in other professions are just obvious. But as soon as you find yourself on the other side — for example, as a doctor, pilot, or IT specialist — you quickly realize: for most people, it’s not obvious at all. In this article, we’ve gathered honest stories from Reddit, shared by people who deal with wild misconceptions about their jobs every day. What annoys them, what makes them laugh, and what they really wish they could explain to everyone else! 

Chemistry Scares More Than It Should

It’s funny but for most people, "chemistry" is like a threat. Although everything around us — literally everything — is chemistry, and we can’t live without it in the modern world. There’s just some trigger that’s been pulled in the public’s mind: if something’s labeled “natural,” it must be good, and if the "ingredients are unclear," it must be poison. 

And don’t even get me started on those “chemical-free” shampoos — it’s like selling “wet water.” The paradox is that the less you understand, the more you believe the scary labels — and, as you can see, a real chemist confirmed this.

Translation Isn’t Just Word Substitution

If you’ve ever tried to translate a joke literally, you know it’s going to be a complete failure. The meaning doesn’t lie in the words but in the context. 

And this is exactly what translators face every day: you’re not just looking for word equivalents, you’re capturing intonations, cultural nuances, and the meaning between the lines. No, it’s not a “Google Translate in five minutes” job. So, please, don’t undervalue the work of translators!

Police Smile — But Don’t Forget Why They’re There

Here’s an uncomfortable but important fact: if a police officer approaches you and starts asking questions, stay alert — even if everything seems calm and informal. Their job is to figure out what happened, not to protect you personally. 

A real police officer on Reddit pointed out that people often think, “If I haven’t done anything wrong, I have nothing to fear.” The problem is, you might unknowingly say something wrong, and then you’ll be dealing with the consequences for years.

What’s the Point of School Rankings?

How often do you hear parents say, "It’s hard to get into that school — that means it’s good!" And you start thinking that’s a guarantee of success. But in reality, rankings say more about the people who are getting in than about what the school actually does. Smart, motivated kids often raise the overall environment, not the other way around. 

And no one talks about how atmosphere, stress, teachers, and teaching methods play a bigger role than the dry numbers on the website. Sometimes, the "average" school offers much more — simply because the child feels comfortable there.

“You Poked My Gums!”

It’s something every hygienist has probably heard: “It didn’t hurt before but now it does — you’re to blame!” The truth is, the pain isn’t from the hygienist’s work but because dental care has been neglected. 

It’s like going to the gym for the first time in a year and then complaining that you’re sore. It’s not the trainer’s fault — it’s because you didn’t work out. And yes, they know you don’t floss, and they’ve stopped asking.

Personal Space Is Important for Everyone

There’s this feeling that as soon as you’re in a public place — especially if you’re in uniform or behind a counter — people lose all sense of personal space. These are adults, not children but they still crowd you, lean over you, bump into you, as if you’re not a person but a piece of furniture. 

This is especially true in places like casinos, where noise and chaos make everyone act on impulse. But for someone who works all day in such an environment, it’s not just annoying — it’s important to remember that personal space is vital.

One Nurse, Many Patients

This Reddit story is another reminder that patients often don’t realize that the nurse, aside from them, has 15, 20, or even 40 other people who also need attention. And when you feel like she’s taking too long to get to you, or that she’s “ignoring” you or “slacking off,” she’s probably helping someone else, giving an injection, or solving a problem you don’t even see.

And yes, when she says, “I’ll be there in a minute,” that minute can stretch out because everyone decided to call, complain, or ask for help at the same time.

Seatbelts Are Not a Joke

For some reason, there are still strange myths going around in society, like, “I don’t wear a seatbelt because it once broke my ribs.” And you think, wait, you’re seriously mad at something that saved your life? Yes, the rib broke but the alternative was flying through the windshield, right? 

In a profession where you deal with the consequences of car accidents constantly, it hits hard. These things should be obvious but no — people still argue, shrug it off, and say, “Nothing will happen to me.” And then the news comes out, and it could have been avoided.

Ambulance — A Place for Runny Noses?

Sometimes, it feels like people view the emergency room as some magical place where they have to take care of everything, even a simple cold. A 37.6-degree fever and a mild cough, and suddenly, worried parents rush to the ER as if their child will fall apart without drops and cartoons. 

Meanwhile, all the doctor does is hydrate, give some fever medicine, and put on cartoons. In other words, things that could easily be handled at home without overloading doctors, who could be saving someone’s life at that moment!

What’s Really Behind a Pilot’s Job?

Automation in flight is a great invention but somehow, because of it, many people think pilots just sit back and drink coffee while the plane does “everything on its own.” In reality, it’s the opposite. For the system to work properly, it has to be programmed correctly, and the pilot must understand every switch, every command, and monitor the flight path to ensure nothing goes off track. 

Even more importantly, the pilot must be ready to intervene if something goes wrong — and this happens more often than you'd think. Plus, a huge part of the job is not "holding the controls" but making sound decisions, communicating, and acting in stressful situations. So, the whole idea of "just sitting in the cockpit" doesn’t sound so simple, does it?

Don’t Give In to the Hysteria

An expert in behavior reminded us about a troublesome paradox: a child hits, throws a tantrum, and you give them an iPad — just to end it. It seems like the situation was “resolved,” but in reality, you’ve just made it clear that aggression is an effective way to get what you want. Next time, the child won’t think twice — they’ll just hit. 

And in adult life, if you give in to someone’s demands through shouting, manipulation, or pressure — you teach them that it works. So, if you want that behavior to stop, don’t reinforce it, even if it’s hard and easier to just "give in and walk away." One concession can lead to years of problems.

Reality Shows Aren’t Really Reality!

It seems like there are still people who genuinely believe that reality TV is all real. That the participants in the “house” act like they would in real life, that the votes are fair, and that everything we see on screen is objective. But in reality, reality TV is just another scripted format. Everything you see is edited, with images, exaggerated drama, and carefully chosen moments to create a certain storyline. 

Yes, the people are real but they’re shown in a way that benefits the show, even though many viewers refuse to believe this. Who stays, who leaves, who’s the favorite — all of that is often decided by production. So, next time you get upset about an "unfair elimination" or strange behavior of a contestant, just remember that you’re watching a product, not real life.

“Go See a Doctor!”

If you’ve ever had an echocardiogram, you’ve heard it ten times a day: “Can you tell me what you see?” People get nervous, which is understandable. But the truth is, an ultrasound technician isn’t the one who diagnoses you. They take the images and record the parameters but interpreting all of that is the doctor’s job. 

Yes, you can get a copy of the scan and discuss it with your cardiologist but don’t turn the exam room into an interrogation. As one technician admitted, it’s awkward and pointless — you won’t get a reliable answer because the specialist isn’t authorized to give one.

Your Data Isn’t Being “Sold”

There’s a common myth that internet giants are "selling our personal data left and right." But if you look deeper, it’s not like that. Your data doesn’t go anywhere in the literal sense, and companies don’t get a file with your preferences. They’re just given access to show you ads based on what you’ve been interested in — like, for example, bikes. 

So, it’s not “we sold your number and address,” it’s more like “we’ll show him an ad, and you’ll pay for it.” It’s more profitable to keep the data within the platform, and the money comes every time an advertiser wants to reach the right audience. So, when you think these corporations just want money, you’re right — it’s actually not profitable for them to sell your data. Why sell it once when you can keep charging every time?

I Don’t Fix Computers, I Write Code

You’re a developer, and every time you visit a relative, you get the same call: “You’re a programmer, can you look at my laptop, it’s so slow!” And once again, you explain that you don’t “fix computers” — you design algorithms, write systems, and build logic. 

You’re not obligated to know why someone’s printer isn’t working. It’s like calling an architect to fix a leaky faucet. But, of course, sometimes it coincidentally works out — someone might have a hobby of building PCs, and they might be able to help!

Court Is Not A Place For Fantasy

People often seem to believe that in court, you can just “say what you want” and everything will magically work in your favor. And if a lawyer does not want to “add a little drama,” then they must be a bad one. 

But the truth is, lawyers are not actors or storytellers. They have to deal with reality, with facts, and lying is not just unprofessional — it can seriously damage the case. Especially when this is not a movie but real life, where every word under oath can have real consequences.

Rapists Do Not Look Like They Do In The Movies

It is an uncomfortable truth but a necessary one: the most dangerous people are not always the ones who look scary. They can be sweet, charming, seem completely normal. And that is exactly why checks, background reports, and security systems — especially in jobs involving children — are so important. 

Every time someone complains about “too much paperwork” during hiring, it is worth remembering: none of this exists for no reason. There have been far too many cases where something horrifying was hiding behind the face of someone “respectable.” Thinking “I would have seen it coming” is a dangerous illusion.

Insurance Pricing Is Not Just About Your Car

Drivers love to think that if their car is cheap, their insurance should be cheap too. But the system is a lot more complex. In an accident, you are not only paying for a dent in the bumper — you are paying for medical bills, for fixing roads and guardrails, for compensating other people. 

Even the most modest car can cause damage worth hundreds of thousands, if it ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And, shockingly, the insurance company actually takes that into account.

Think About Where You Sit

There is something almost mystical about how drawn people are to freshly cut grass. As if nothing is more relaxing than lying exactly where the gardener has not yet finished mowing. 

But honestly, this is not some “beautiful moment” — it just makes it harder for someone to finish their job. The same goes for leaf blowing: if you walk straight into the path of the machine, do not act surprised when dirt and debris fly into your face.

Media Feeds Off Your Clicks

Every time you angrily click on another Kardashian headline thinking “what nonsense is it this time,” you are actually casting a vote with your wallet. Not literally, of course but your attention is currency. 

The media does not write about things no one cares about, no matter how badly people want to believe “they are getting paid.” Also — stop blaming the writers for the headlines. Most of the time, they are just following editorial instructions, and what you are reading was thought up by someone whose name is not even on the article.

Dogs Want To Be Brushed Too

Some pet owners seem completely unaware that taking care of a dog is not just about cute Instagram pictures. Matted fur is painful, uncomfortable, and unhygienic. And a groomer is not a magician or a sadist who “gets a kick” out of shaving your dog bald. 

Sometimes there is just no other option left. And when your fur baby growls, bites, and acts like a spoiled toddler — that is not “personality,” that is a lack of proper training. The dog is not to blame for not being taught any better.

“Why Is It So Expensive?!”

People love to complain: “This pill costs pennies to make but they are charging me hundreds.” But the price is not for manufacturing the pill. It is for research, testing, certification, clinical trials, failed formulas, specialist salaries, and years — sometimes decades — of development. 

If it really were as simple as mixing two powders together, then medicines would be sold at market stalls. But medicine is not magic. It is a science. And someone paid the price for its safety and effectiveness — it just was not you.

When Was The Last Time You Checked Your Voicemail?

Some people think that if they just do not listen to their voicemails, the messages disappear. Or that turning off voicemail makes life easier. But in reality, it only creates chaos. Missed messages are not just spam and debt collectors — they can be cancellations, updates, interview confirmations. 

People are working, trying to reach you, and you later wonder why nobody called. But they did. You are just that person with “voicemail disabled” who “never checks them anyway.” Good luck with all the opportunities you are missing — says someone from that very industry on Reddit.

Yes, You Need To Book A Hotel Room

There is a strange category of people who genuinely believe that if they just show up at a hotel without a reservation, they will definitely find a room because “what if there’s one left.” But surprise: hotels are businesses, and they do not keep rooms “just in case.” 

They don’t have a secret folder labeled “for spontaneous tourists.” They try to sell all the rooms in advance — that’s normal. So if you arrive during high season and are hoping for a miracle, it’s not the hotel’s problem, it’s your lack of foresight.

A Nurse Is Not Synonymous With Biologic Material

It’s amazing but for some reason, when people hear the word “nurse,” their minds immediately jump to a picture of syringes, blood, dirt, and all of that. And someone always says, “I couldn’t do it, I can’t handle that stuff.” 

The thing is, most nurses hardly deal with any of that. Because the work varies: some work in pediatrics, some in oncology, some educate patients, and some spend their day behind a computer. The stereotype from TV shows is strong but far from the reality. A nurse is not a “cleaner,” they are a medical professional.

No, I’m Not A Psychic — I’m Just A Cashier

As you can see, sometimes cashiers feel like people walk into the store and completely turn off their brains when they get to the fruit section. 

Honestly, you bought some exotic green thing, don’t even know its name but you’re firmly certain that “it was $3.99 a pound.” So no, it’s not that “the cashier is stupid” — it’s just that sometimes the customer didn’t bother to read the name of what they put in their bag.

Yes, You Need To Listen To The Veterinarian

For some reason, some pet owners develop a strange sense of entitlement when it comes to post-surgery care. “Well, he’ll lick it off,” “He doesn’t like the cone,” “I’ll take it off, just for the night” — yes, and then your dog licks the wound, rips everything open, and ends up back at the vet. 

But now it’s no longer “just surgery,” it’s a complicated, expensive, and painful correction of your mistakes. And guess what? They’ll put the cone back on.

“Important Client”

This is a completely separate genre of clients — those who place an order once every six months, disappear for a long time, and then return with complaints about why their order wasn’t processed in three minutes. And they threaten to go to the competition, as if we’re supposed to cry. 

No, seriously — if you hardly appear in the system, we won’t even find you right away, let alone throw ourselves at your feet, an insider admits. And yes, we’ll honestly tell you — if you want to be treated like a VIP, there’s a minimum activity threshold. And it doesn’t start with one inexpensive order from last year.

Catering Is Not “Food From Thin Air”

For some reason, there’s a perception that in catering, food literally just lies on the ground, and people simply lay it out beautifully. 

But it’s important to remember that catering workers rent warehouses, pay for packaging, logistics, staff, dishes, dishwashers, equipment — everything that makes food edible, beautiful, and served on time. So no, your bun is not worth 10 cents, even if flour is cheap!

“Everything Fits If We Want It Badly Enough” Doesn’t Work!

As a designer, you constantly face the illusion that anything can fit anywhere. “Well, we want to seat 20 people here,” they say, showing you a room the size of a closet. You explain that people need space to sit, stand, and move around, and that fire safety exists too. 

But they still don’t listen, do it their own way, and then complain that “something’s uncomfortable.” And the most ironic part is when the inspection comes, and panic starts!

The Past Is Not Just a Mirror of Today

Sometimes it feels like people believe that if someone acted differently than today’s standards back in the 20th century, they must have been a terrible person. But a professional historian on Reddit reminded us: if you judge history with the moral ruler of 2025, every past century will look like a horror show. 

Studying history isn’t about holding a trial — it’s about trying to understand why people made the choices they did, how they saw the world, and what life even looked like for them.

The Truth About Pool Closures

Ever wondered why pools shut down for “cleaning” after some incident? It’s not always about real danger. Sometimes, yes, someone decides to leave a little… unexpected gift in the water. 

But the chlorine levels are so high, they’re practically hand sanitizer. Everything gets sanitized instantly. The pool isn’t closed because it’s unsafe — it’s closed so you don’t mentally spiral at the thought of what just happened in there.

Not All Homes Are Built With Care

There’s this romantic idea that every new house is a forever home — solid, safe, thoughtfully built. But a lot depends on who’s building it, how much they’re getting paid, and what corners they’re cutting. If the developer is paying less than market rate, don’t be surprised when your bathroom tiles are crooked or the walls sound hollow. 

That’s not bad luck, it’s the reality of the market: if something costs 30% less, the quality is probably cut by at least that much too. And then you’re the one calling contractors and fixing mistakes in a house that was supposed to be your dream.

Respect Other People’s Work

You know what really gets to the people who clean windows and storefronts? When someone comes over and pokes the glass with a finger to “see if it’s clean.” 

That glass was just scrubbed to a shine, and now there’s a fingerprint sitting front and center. It’s not just rude — it literally makes more work for someone who already did their job.

Mechanics Aren’t Psychic

When you roll into the shop and say, “What’s that knocking noise?”, it’s kind of like going to a doctor and demanding an instant diagnosis just from eye contact. To know what’s wrong, they actually have to look. 

And yes, that takes time and money. Also, if you’re coming in for a Takata airbag recall, maybe don’t leave yesterday’s pizza box on the backseat. Trust us, the techs will appreciate it.

Teachers Aren’t On Call 24/7

Most teachers truly do care about their students. They worry, they help, they go the extra mile — but they do it during work hours. That doesn’t mean it’s okay to send them a message at 10 PM or call in the middle of the night about homework. 

As surprising as it may be, they also have lives. Kids, family, a right to rest. Just because you’re wide awake at midnight doesn’t mean the rest of the world should be too.

Radiation Isn’t Automatically Terrifying

The word “radiation” freaks people out on autopilot. Some avoid microwaves, others think you can’t live near a nuclear plant. But here’s the thing — we’re all exposed to ionizing radiation every single day: from space, the ground, even food. 

Pilots, for example, get more of it than nuclear plant workers, just because they’re flying high. And no, microwaves don’t turn your food into carcinogens — they just heat it up. That’s it!

Movers Aren’t Superheroes From a Comic Book

For some reason, people assume that a couple of movers can do the impossible. Like, if an elevator can’t handle the load, maybe “the guys” can carry it? No, they can’t. If a safe weighs a ton and a half and needs to be taken to the fourth floor, that’s not a task for “two strong guys” — it’s a job for specialized equipment. 

Or at the very least, a realistic look at whether it even makes sense to put something that heavy up there in the first place.

Merchandisers Need Personal Space Too

From the outside, someone in uniform with a cart in the store looks like a universal problem-solver. “Hey, where’s the milk? Can you check for diapers? Is there flour in the back?” But the truth is, that person is responsible for specific products and a specific area. They can tell you all about the soda they’re stacking, because it’s literally their job. 

But they have no idea why the competitor’s lemonade is gone, and they’re not going to the back to check for ketchup. It’s not because they’re rude or lazy — they simply don’t have the access or the time. They’re not wizards. They’re not even full employees of the store in many cases. Getting upset over this is like yelling at an electrician for not fixing your plumbing.

Tires Aren’t Just About the Drive Axle

When people think about tire placement, they instinctively go, “Well, it’s front-wheel drive, so the front needs the grip.” So they put the new tires in front. But physics doesn’t work that way. 

If your rear tires are bald, they’re the ones that will lose traction on a wet road — and when that happens, you’re in for an uncontrollable spin. No steering or braking will fix it. That’s why mechanics insist on putting new tires in the back. It’s not a trick or a power move. It’s about safety. That’s all.

Mathematicians Aren’t Mental Calculators 

There’s a weird expectation that if someone works in math, they must instantly do mental arithmetic, make perfect change, and passionately debunk “0.999… isn’t 1.” But mathematics isn’t actually about numbers. It’s about abstraction. 

Real mathematicians usually work with formal theories, logical models, and complex proofs — not supermarket calculations. So yes, if they mess up at the register, it doesn’t mean their degree is fake. But if you try to argue with them about real numbers, well… that’s a whole different kind of error.

Intimate Product Safety Is a Real Issue

The s*x toy industry is one of those shadowy consumer zones people don’t talk about — and almost nobody checks the materials. Most of what’s sold is made from stuff that shouldn’t even be near your skin, let alone inside your body. And yes, platinum-cure silicone is more expensive. 

But that’s the price for not ending up with irritation, allergic reactions, or something worse. This isn’t about “fun” — it’s about hygiene and basic safety. Sometimes, cheap is actually dangerous. And this is one of those times.

Surprise: Most People Don’t Know Their Actual Shoe Size!

If you sell shoes long enough, you develop a sixth sense for people walking in with the wrong size on their feet. They swear they’ve been wearing a 9 since high school but their feet have changed — and so have shoe designs. 

That’s why they end up with blisters, sore toes, and endless discomfort. Measuring your feet takes two minutes. It doesn’t hurt, and no one’s judging you. But people avoid it like it’s a dental appointment. And then keep wondering why every pair feels “off.”

An IT Project Is Not a Pizza You Can Order For 4 PM

When businesses commission software, they often treat it like food delivery: place the order, pay, get it on time. But code isn’t dough, and project managers aren’t psychics. They can coordinate teams, gather estimates, and set timelines — but the final delivery depends on a thousand shifting variables: bugs, revisions, third-party integrations, and how smoothly development actually goes. 

And even if the project miraculously wraps up on schedule, that’s not the end. There’s support, updates, fixes. In IT, there’s no such thing as “done and dusted.”

There Is No Magic "Make It Pretty" Button In Illustrator

It seems that many people still believe a designer’s job is just to press a couple of buttons and everything will be done. But graphic editors like Illustrator or Photoshop are not automatic miracle machines where the final result appears in five minutes. There is no “add style” or “make it look like an ad” button. 

Every design is the result of manual, meticulous work: picking colors, arranging composition, retouching, sometimes making dozens of versions of a single element. And requests like “can you show what the back looks like?” from a single photo — that’s not really about design anymore, that’s closer to telepathy.

Domestic Violence Doesn’t Always Leave Bruises

Many people think that a victim of abuse is someone with visible injuries. And if they don’t see any, they assume nothing serious happened. But this is a dangerous misconception — and insiders from the field keep reminding us of that. 

People facing domestic violence often live for years under psychological or financial pressure, and physical abuse can be calculated and intentional — designed to leave no trace. Control, intimidation, isolation, humiliation — all of that is abuse too, even if you can’t see it with the naked eye.

Being a Teacher Doesn’t Mean You’ve "Made It"

The American education system often looks solid from the outside but behind that nice façade, it’s kind of falling apart. As someone from the field shared, most instructors don’t have stable salaries, any kind of benefits, or even a proper place to work. 

They might earn $2,000 a semester, teach the same classes as colleagues with tenure, and basically keep the system running on pure enthusiasm.

Clothes Don’t Sew Themselves

For some reason, the idea that “sewing is easy” still lives on. Especially when it comes to altering clothes — like, “it’s just a simple hem.” But even the most basic alteration is a multi-step process. 

First comes the fitting, then measurements, marking, cutting, pinning, sewing, and pressing… and that’s without any surprises. What looks like one smooth action actually requires time, focus, and precision. A sewing machine isn’t a robot from a sci-fi movie that magically does everything by itself.

Makeup Is Cosmetics, Not Plastic Surgery

Sometimes it feels like people expect makeup artists to perform miracles: erase age, hide fatigue, turn skin into something straight out of a glossy magazine. But makeup is about working with what’s already there — it’s not a reset button for your face. 

A good look can highlight strengths and gently distract from imperfections but it won’t erase under-eye bags, lift your eyelids, or turn matte lipstick into something glossy — because that’s not how reality works. And no, Instagram filters are not part of the toolkit.

Real Estate Isn’t Like Casual Shopping

Real estate agents must have endless patience — because nearly every day, someone walks in wanting to see homes “just to look,” without even deciding how they’ll pay. Touring expensive properties without knowing your financial situation is like trying on luxury jewelry with no intent to buy. 

An agent can listen, give advice, and help with the search but if there’s no clarity on whether it’s cash, a loan, or financial aid, looking at half-million dollar homes just doesn’t make sense. This isn’t about being rude — it’s about respecting the professionals who work in this industry.