Unbelievable Yet Necessary: 20 Things We’re Surprised We Still Need To Explain

Having to explain the same point repeatedly to people can get tiring pretty quickly. A recent online post saw someone air grievances about things they're surprised they have to keep explaining. With that in mind, this list is comprised of the top twenty facts people are tired of explaining to the general public and wish everyone knew and understood.

1. Your Job Title Does Not Make You an Expert

Many wish that people understood that the field of information technology, known as IT, is a vast field encompassing many smaller areas of expertise. Being an expert in one does not mean being an expert in all.

2. Antibiotics Don't Work on Viruses

No one likes to feel under the weather, but asking your doctor for an antibiotic when you have a virus isn't going to do much to help you feel better. It could do the opposite by causing bacteria in your body to become antibiotic-resistant to your medicine.

3. Airplanes Don't Just Fall Out of the Sky

No one likes to think about anything going wrong on a flight, but sometimes stuff happens. Still, you'd think it's common knowledge that airplanes don't just fall out of the sky when they lose an engine. 

4. Banks Need Your Identification

In an increasingly digital world, it might seem odd that a banking institution would ask to see your valid identification. Still, bankers want you to know that's precisely what will happen. A failure to plan does not constitute an emergency for the bank or financial institution.

5. Chronic Illness Is Permanent

Those unfortunate to suffer are tired of telling people that a chronic illness can't be cured and will usually last for the rest of the patient's life. And while manageable in some cases, the illness is still there, even if you can't ‘see' it.

6. Your Income Is Not Equal to Your Tax Bracket

Here is a common financial misconception: your income gets taxed based on your tax bracket, and not all your income falls into whichever tax bracket is your highest.

7. Equal Rights Are Equal

Equal means equal. Many wish that people understood that allowing everyone to have basic human rights doesn't discriminate against those who already have them.

8. Dads Don't Babysit

Being a father means you're helping to raise your child. Dads don't babysit. They care for their children.

9. Being an Introvert Is Not Equal To Being Shy

For extroverts, it's easy to assume that introverts are just shy. Introverts want people to know that the two are not the same.

10. Being Skinny Is Not the Same as Being Healthy

Seeing a skinny person does not necessarily mean you are seeing a healthy person. Other factors are at play to determine one's health other than weight. 

11. The Sun Is a Star

Our sun is one of about 100 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. It is the closest star to Earth and the only star in our solar system.

12. Africa Is a Continent, Not a Country

Africa is a continent made up of 54 countries. But South Africa is a country, not just the most southern area of the continent.

13. Luigi's Last Name Is Mario

During The Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Festival, Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, announced that Mario’s full name is “Mario Mario” and Luigi's is “Luigi Mario.”  

14. Frankenstein Isn’t the Name of the Monster

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein, the main protagonist and title character, is the doctor who made the monster, not the monster itself. 

15. Don't Put Out a Grease Fire With Water

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you should never put water on a grease fire. To safely put out a grease fire, turn off the heat source, cover the fire with a lid, and then douse the fire with baking soda, salt, or a fire extinguisher.

16. Older People Aren't Technologically Illiterate

A lot of people assume all elderly people are illiterate when it comes to technology, but really, a lot of them helped build the technology we use today and have been using it for a long time. Just like everyone, sometimes they need a little help as technology is constantly changing.

17. Colds Aren't Caused by Cold Weather

The common cold isn't caused by the shift into the cold weather seasons. The reason why people get sick in the winter is because people are usually in enclosed spaces more often and are spreading the germs around at a quicker pace. In the winter, people do have reduced levels of vitamin D, which helps fight off viruses like the cold!

18. Mental Health Isn't Always Visible

When people are dealing with mental health issues, sometimes you can't tell someone is suffering from the issues just by looking at them. Mental health presents itself in a number of ways, and sometimes, people who seem really happy are actually dealing with a lot deep inside. It's just why we should be kind to each other and have some grace when it comes to others in this world.

19. Antibiotics Cannot Cure Viruses

People believe that antibiotics can cure viruses, but really, antibiotics attack bacterial membranes. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them can be really unhealthy and can make it harder for the medicine to work when you do need them in the future.

20. Protein Doesn't Have To Come From Meat

A lot of people believe that vegetarians and vegans don't get their proteins because they don't eat meats, but there are a lot of foods that can supply proteins. People also take protein supplements, including protein powders to make up for the lack of them in their diets.

Source: Reddit.