There is a very good reason it’s generally best to not know just how “the sausage gets made,” unless you are deeply invested in not consuming any more sausage. But the truth is that most jobs and professions do some with some hidden details which are not at all for the faint of heart or stomach.
Someone asked “What's the scariest fact you know in your profession that no one else outside of it knows?” and netizens spilled the beans. So strap in before you scroll through, as some of these get a bit unnerving. Upvote your favorite posts and be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
#1

Probably how painful and long dying naturally can take. I work in memory care and have cared for sooooo many people dying. It's not a nice conversation with a loved one and then peacefully drifting off to sleep like in the movies. Sometimes it can take days, up to 2 weeks once they transition before they take their last breath. Sometimes they scream and writhe for days while unconscious until they pass. morphine should be a human right. Assisted suicide should be a human right.
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139points
#2

I work in homelessness. There’s lots of ‘scary’ stuff about this work that people are probably aware of, or are intentionally ignorant of. But one of the most scary/shocking things I learned in this work was pretty early on in it.
There are lots and lots of reasons that people experiencing homelessness may be dirty or not shower frequently, but I have had it reported to me multiple times that a female client is refusing to shower/practice hygiene because being dirty/unclean/stinky prevents men from r**ing her when she’s sleeping outside. Both very scary and very sad.
There are lots and lots of reasons that people experiencing homelessness may be dirty or not shower frequently, but I have had it reported to me multiple times that a female client is refusing to shower/practice hygiene because being dirty/unclean/stinky prevents men from r**ing her when she’s sleeping outside. Both very scary and very sad.
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93points
#3

I work in a shelter. Some of our guests are from middle and upper class backgrounds. Bad choices, bad health, bad treatment, and bad luck can happen to all of us, sometimes very quickly. As far as I can tell, the only thing all homeless people have in common is trauma and loss.
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89points
#4

Lifeguard!
I cannot explain to you how quiet and how fast drowning is. Even people with some idea tend to think, "OK, so barely any noise."
No. There's nothing. You might get some splashing right at the beginning if someone's just panicking; but I've seen an adult man get into trouble with absolutely no sound. Even if someone can get their mouth out of the water, they're so locked in on breathing and not dying that they won't yell. Their arms and legs are under the water, and they're struggling so hard that that nothing can make it to the surface to splash.
You WON'T hear it. Please, please, PLEASE do not take your eyes off your kids in water (even the bath) for even a second. That's all it takes.
(In my career, I've seen drowning, but I have been fortunate enough to not see drowned. Would love for it to stay that way.).
I cannot explain to you how quiet and how fast drowning is. Even people with some idea tend to think, "OK, so barely any noise."
No. There's nothing. You might get some splashing right at the beginning if someone's just panicking; but I've seen an adult man get into trouble with absolutely no sound. Even if someone can get their mouth out of the water, they're so locked in on breathing and not dying that they won't yell. Their arms and legs are under the water, and they're struggling so hard that that nothing can make it to the surface to splash.
You WON'T hear it. Please, please, PLEASE do not take your eyes off your kids in water (even the bath) for even a second. That's all it takes.
(In my career, I've seen drowning, but I have been fortunate enough to not see drowned. Would love for it to stay that way.).
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85points
#5

I used to work in child protection. The people most likely to harm your child, or you, are people you already know, most likely family members. You can bar the door against bad men lurking in dark alleys, but when you do, remember who you’re locking in with you.
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79points
#6

I’m a teacher, and all I can say is that you should teach your kids. Teach them since early age. Teach them at home. Drop your phone and teach your kids. Trust me, no one else will. As for us teachers, we are too busy implementing useless strategies to pass inspections and keep the admins happy.
77points
#7

I’m a teacher. The education system in the US is largely f****d. We’re producing kids who can’t read, do math, or follow simple instructions. This is quickly going to become society’s problem. .
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74points
#8

As a mechanic I have to say that the colder and more distant a mechanic is, the more likely they are to be honest. It's the really friendly ones who are ripping you off while they're being chummy with you.
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70points
#9

Supply coordinator for a hospital here.
Our supplies are ridiculously cheap. That IV you were charged $1000 for? We paid 79 cents for it. We get diapers for about $1 per case.
Our supplies are ridiculously cheap. That IV you were charged $1000 for? We paid 79 cents for it. We get diapers for about $1 per case.
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67points
#10
Exactly how ecologically disastrous turf lawns are. We are f*****g ourselves to make our properties look sterile and boring. It's endlessly stupid.
66points
#11

A lot of people don't realize it, but graduation success rate can basically be predicted based on their 3rd grade reading ability.
Early education is important, folks.
Early education is important, folks.
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63points
#12

I used to work in banking and it was eye opening to see how many people were victims of fraud, how little recourse there is to get the money back, and how little the police can do for you too.
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57points
#13

Statistics are often manipulated and misrepresented to fit a narrative. Few look at raw data, or question the validity.
Statistics and research methods should be a high school course.
Statistics and research methods should be a high school course.
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53points
#14

Climbing into an unventilated manhole can kill you in seconds and you wouldn't even know anything was seriously wrong.
You think that's air you're breathing now?
Manholes can fill with gases that are heavier than breathable air. You think are breathing normally but instead you fall unconscious and suffocate from lack of oxygen.
You think that's air you're breathing now?
Manholes can fill with gases that are heavier than breathable air. You think are breathing normally but instead you fall unconscious and suffocate from lack of oxygen.
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51points
#15

Therapist for children and youth.
The amount of kids I’ve seen in the last few months who have had a suicide attempt is stomach turning.
The amount of kids I’ve seen in the last few months who have had a suicide attempt is stomach turning.
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51points
#16

Everyone is scared about being tracked by the government. Corporations and brand marketers know pretty much every time you take a pee.
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51points
#17

As a librarian, you'd be horrified how many books we get returned and have to throw out because they're absolutely *covered* in bed bugs.
We put a block on accounts and notify patrons, but I'm specifically told not to mention this problem to the public whatsoever by management.
We put a block on accounts and notify patrons, but I'm specifically told not to mention this problem to the public whatsoever by management.
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50points
#18

Am a nurse. I’d say it’s probably the fact that people know when they’re going to die. They will straight up tell you “today is my last day, thank you for being kind” and you reassure them because their vitals are good, they are taking to treatment well, nothing happening that would indicate a drastic decline. Then, inevitably, you will hear a flatline on the machine and run in and sure enough that patient has passed away.
If it hadn’t happened SO many times, I would chalk it up to a few people who just didn’t have the will to live anymore, but I’ve seen it enough, I know that’s not it. Really creepy when you think about it too hard.
If it hadn’t happened SO many times, I would chalk it up to a few people who just didn’t have the will to live anymore, but I’ve seen it enough, I know that’s not it. Really creepy when you think about it too hard.
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50points
#19

Kids are incredibly, *incredibly* behind where they should be in terms of education levels and they just keep getting pushed through.
As in, I have a graduating high school senior that doesn't know what 5 x 4 is and can't pronounce the word "illuminate".
As in, I have a graduating high school senior that doesn't know what 5 x 4 is and can't pronounce the word "illuminate".
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50points
#20

I stop hundreds of cars a year from running over children *and* adults as a crossing guard. I'm only there 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, during the school year. Its insane how dangerous it is for kids to walk to school
edit: if anyone sees this please remember that your local crossing guard stands there 10 hours a week. They know which kids are safe, and which kids will run out without looking. If we're making you wait longer, there's probably a very good reason, like a kid on a bike is coming that you can't see. Please, we aren't there to inconvenience you!!! Do you think your local town *wants* to spend like 8-10k per guard per year at each crossing???
edit: if anyone sees this please remember that your local crossing guard stands there 10 hours a week. They know which kids are safe, and which kids will run out without looking. If we're making you wait longer, there's probably a very good reason, like a kid on a bike is coming that you can't see. Please, we aren't there to inconvenience you!!! Do you think your local town *wants* to spend like 8-10k per guard per year at each crossing???
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45points


